Canada West football is one step closer to the start of the 2026 season with today’s schedule release. The new campaign will begin with a doubleheader on Friday, September 4th between U-B-C visiting Calgary and the Alberta Golden Bears home to the Regina Rams. The Saskatchewan Huskies begin their season the following day for a 2 p.m. tilt in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Bisons. Saskatchewan’s home-opener will be on Friday, September 11th when they host the Calgary Dinos.
A Hardy Cup rematch will take place in the Queen City on Saturday, September 26th for a 2 p.m. clash between Saskatchewan and the Regina Rams. Hardy Cup semifinals and the 89th Hardy Cup are scheduled for November 7th and 14th, respectively, but dates will be confirmed once hosting duties have been earned due to the variability of hosting protocols at shared stadiums. Following is the news release from Canada West…..
Canada West releases 2026 football schedule
24-game season kicks off Sept. 4, leading up to 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup on Nov. 14
May 13, 2026 – The countdown to Week 1 is officially on, as Canada West released its 2026 football schedule Wednesday morning.
The road to the 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup begins with an opening night doubleheader on Sept. 4, as UBC visits Calgary and Alberta hosts Regina. Opening weekend continues the following day, with defending Hardy Cup champion Saskatchewan opening its title defence at Manitoba.
The 2026 schedule features several marquee rematches and rivalry games throughout the fall. Saskatchewan and Regina will meet on Sept. 26 in a rematch of last year’s BioSteel Hardy Cup, while Calgary and Alberta renew their provincial rivalry in Weeks 4 and 9. UBC and Saskatchewan will square off twice in a rematch of last season’s semifinal, while Manitoba and Regina also meet twice after facing off in the other 2025 semifinal.
Each team will play three opponents two times (home and away), and two opponents once. Week 6 (Oct. 9-11) is a designated bye week for all teams.
The 24-game regular season runs through Oct. 31, with BioSteel Hardy Cup semifinals set for Saturday, Nov. 7.
The 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup will be contested on Nov. 14.
2026 KEY DATES
- Sept. 4: Opening night of the 2026 Season
- UBC at Calgary, 5:30 p.m. MT
- Regina at Alberta, 6:30 p.m. MT
- Sept. 26: BioSteel Hardy Cup rematch
- Saskatchewan at Regina, 2 p.m. MT
- Oct. 9-11: Bye Week
- Nov. 7: Hardy Cup Semifinals*
- Nov. 14: 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup*
- *Due to the variability of hosting protocols at shared stadiums, exact dates for the 89th BioSteel Hardy Cup and the Hardy Cup semifinals will be confirmed once hosting duties have been earned.
- Nov. 21: U SPORTS Uteck Bowl – CW at RSEQ
- Nov. 28: 2026 U SPORTS Vanier Cup – Hosted at Laval
2026 CANADA WEST FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
All times local. Schedule subject to change.
Week 1
Friday, Sept. 4
- UBC at Calgary – 5:30 p.m.
- Regina at Alberta – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5
- Saskatchewan at Manitoba – 2 p.m.
__
Week 2
Friday, Sept. 11
- Alberta at UBC – 6 p.m.
- Manitoba at Regina – 7 p.m.
- Calgary at Saskatchewan – 7 p.m.
__
Week 3
Friday, Sept. 18
- Regina at UBC – 6 p.m.
- Saskatchewan at Alberta – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19
- Calgary at Manitoba – 2 p.m.
__
Week 4
Friday, Sept. 25
- Alberta at Calgary – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26
- Saskatchewan at Regina – 2 p.m.
- UBC at Manitoba – 5 p.m.
__
Week 5
Friday, Oct. 2
- Manitoba at Alberta – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3
- Regina at Calgary – 1 p.m.
- UBC at Saskatchewan – 7 p.m.
__
Week 6
- Bye Week
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Week 7
Thursday, Oct. 15
- Alberta at Regina – 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16
- Calgary at UBC – 6 p.m.
- Manitoba at Saskatchewan – 7 p.m.
__
Week 8
Friday, Oct. 23
- UBC at Regina – 7 p.m.
- Alberta at Saskatchewan – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24
- Manitoba at Calgary – 1 p.m.
__
Week 9
Friday, Oct. 30
- Saskatchewan at UBC – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31
- Regina at Manitoba – 2 p.m.
- Calgary at Alberta – 2 p.m.
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Playoffs
Saturday, Nov. 7
BioSteel Hardy Cup Semifinals – TBD
Saturday, Nov. 14
89th BioSteel Hardy Cup – TBD
