Three new youth flag football fields to be built in Calgary thanks to Grey Cup Festival

McMahon Stadium will get some small upgrades ahead of the 2026 Grey Cup, but the province says the venue needs a bigger boost.

Three new youth flag football fields will be built in Calgary, thanks to the Grey Cup.

Calgary will host the 113th Grey Cup in November, marking championship game’s sixth time being held in the city.

Along with the Grey Cup game itself, Calgary will also be hosting the week-long Grey Cup Festival in the leadup to the tilt.

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The festival is a significant economic boon for host cities.

Tourism Calgary estimates it will attract more than 350,000 people.

“It was Stampeders fans and Calgary’s western hospitality that started the festival tradition back in 1948,” said Alisha Reynolds, president and CEO of Tourism Calgary. “We’re honoured to carry that legacy forward and show the country that nobody hosts quite like Calgary.”

Part of the commitment of the Grey Cup Festival is to deliver a meaningful legacy to the host city.

As such, three new youth flag football fields will be constructed in Fonda Park, transforming underutilized green space into a year-round community sport area.

The project is supported by a $500,000 investment from the Calgary Stampeders Foundation.

“By investing in community youth flag football fields, we’re creating accessible spaces where young people can discover the game, build confidence and stay active,” said Jay McNeil, president of the Calgary Stampeders. “This project ensures the impact of the Grey Cup Festival will be felt in Calgary for years to come.”

Construction on the fields, which will be a collaborative project with the City of Calgary, is set to begin in the spring, with the north and south fields expected to be operational by late summer or early fall.

“With the support of the Stampeders Foundation’s 2026 Grey Cup legacy project and the city’s ongoing investment in parks and recreation, we’re responding to the growing popularity of flag football and creating more inclusive opportunities for Calgarians to get active and connect through sport,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas.

The Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival will take place at Stampede Park from Nov. 8–14, culminating with the 113th Grey Cup game at McMahon Stadium on Nov. 15.