Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinch final 2026 CFL playoff spot

Photo courtesy: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers punched their ticket to the CFL postseason with a 34-10 victory over the B.C. Lions in Week 21.

Despite facing a team resting most of their starters, the Bombers trailed until late in the third quarter. It wasn’t until starting quarterback Zach Collaros was knocked out of the game with an upper-body injury that the tide turned, as backup Dru Brown connected on a deep shot to Dorian Singer and then found him a second time in the end zone to even the score. Brady Oliveira opened the fourth quarter with a 63-yard touchdown run, from which the Lions never recovered.

Brown completed all 11 of his passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in just over a quarter of action. Singer led all receivers with four catches for 119 yards and a major, while Oliveira ran 15 times for 149 yards and two scores. Nic Demski had the other touchdown.

Winnipeg can now mathematically finish no lower than fourth in the West Division, which would ensure them an East Division crossover berth this year. They can stay in the West if Saskatchewan loses to Edmonton on Saturday. The Calgary Stampeders have been officially eliminated by virtue of the result.

The Bombers have made the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, appearing in five Grey Cups during that span and winning two. They missed the CFL championship game for the first time in six years in 2025, losing to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Semi-Final as a crossover team. They last won a playoff game in 2024, defeating Saskatchewan in the Western Final.

As has been previously announced, the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Elks, Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders have each clinched postseason berths, while the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Montreal and Edmonton have also clinched first place in the East and West Divisions, respectively. Toronto and B.C. will host the divisional semi-finals as the second-place teams.

Winnipeg have concluded the regular season with a 9-9 record. They await confirmation of their playoff opponent.