RedBlacks Kick Off CFL Season on the National Stage
Ottawa football is back, and the RedBlacks made sure the rest of Canada was watching. The team closed out CFL Week 1 against the Edmonton Elks in a nationally broadcast game on TSN, giving fans across the country a look at what the 2026 season has in store for Ottawa's home squad.
There's something special about being the game that wraps up opening week. It means the league — and TSN — want eyes on your team when the curtain comes down on the first weekend of play. For a RedBlacks fanbase that has weathered plenty of ups and downs in recent seasons, a prime-time slot to open the year is a welcome sign of momentum.
Why This Matchup Matters
The Edmonton Elks have long been one of the CFL's more storied franchises, which makes them a fitting opponent for a showcase game. For Ottawa, early-season matchups like this one set the tone — they reveal where the offence is clicking, how the defence holds up under pressure, and whether the team has the chemistry to compete deep into the season.
TSN's CFL coverage remains the gold standard for Canadian football broadcasting, and having the RedBlacks featured in that closing-week-one slot means Ottawa's game will be dissected, highlighted, and talked about from coast to coast over the days that follow.
The Buzz Around TD Place
Back home in Ottawa, fans at TD Place and those watching from their living rooms will be looking for reasons for optimism. The CFL regular season is a long haul, and no single Week 1 result defines a team's fortunes — but first impressions matter. A strong showing against Edmonton would give the RedBlacks faithful plenty to cheer about heading into the rest of the summer schedule.
Ottawa's CFL community is passionate and knowledgeable, and a national broadcast like this one draws casual fans back in, reminds the city of what's happening at the stadium on Bank Street, and keeps the RedBlacks conversation alive even as the Senators' offseason drama competes for headlines.
CFL Season Just Getting Started
With Week 1 now in the books, the 2026 CFL season is officially rolling. For Ottawa, the road ahead includes divisional battles, late-summer home games under the lights at TD Place, and the ever-present dream of a Grey Cup run. One week down — seventeen to go.
Whether you caught the game live on TSN or are just catching up on the highlights, now is a great time to get your RedBlacks season schedule sorted and plan a few trips out to TD Place before summer slips away.
Source: TSN / Google News Ottawa
