2026 is officially here, which means it's time to take stock of where all nine CFL teams stand as we enter the new year. Obviously things will change over time The regular season starts on Thursday, June 4.but this is how the team is shaping up now.
3DownNation'The power rankings are created by having our members independently rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 and then averaging the scores. We usually list the previous week's rankings in parentheses, but we don't at this time since these are our first rankings of the year.
Enjoy the rankings and feel free to criticize us on social media for anything you think we got wrong.
1) Saskatchewan Roughriders
It's a great time to become a member of Rider Nation. The team wins the Gray Cup, Franchise Quarterback Trevor Harris Signs Team-Friendly Contract ExtensionAnd Award-winning offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick believes the team has a chance to repeatjust like he did so many years ago with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. There are still a few key free agents to re-sign, but the Roughriders have a great core, a coaching staff that everyone seems to love, and a great atmosphere.
2) Montreal Alouettes
In 2025, the Alouettes' quarterback was only available for seven regular-season games, but the team came close to winning the Gray Cup as it limped into the playoffs. Between bright future for Davis Alexander, New lucrative contracts for outstanding Canadian player Tyson Philpot And Pierre-Olivier LestageWith a super stable defense and top special teams, it's clear that Montreal will once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2026, especially if Alexander plays all 18 regular season games.
3) BC Lions
Nathan Rourke became only the fifth Canadian to win the 2025 Most Outstanding Player award, and it seems inevitable that he will win even more honors in the coming years. Keon Hatcher, his favorite receiver, will be here for two more years. large-scale contract extensionand Justin McInnis and Stanley Berryhill are already under contract through 2026. The offensive line overcame some significant injuries in 2025, and the defense gradually improved throughout the season. BC feels like a team on the rise.
4) Hamilton Tiger-Cats
For a moment, the Tabbies looked destined to end the league's worst Gray Cup drought, but they fell short in the Eastern final. Kenny Lawler was unstoppable all year, Julian Houser was nearly impossible to block on the edge, and Bo Levi Mitchell continued to thrive under Scott Milanovich. It seems likely that Hamilton will return to the playoffs in 2026, especially if his defense can once again lead the league in scoring, although they will have to find a way to get past the Alouettes if they hope to reach the CFL Championship Game.
5) Calgary Stampeders
Though the team eventually fell only Aside from the Western semi-finals, it was a big rebuilding year for Calgary. Vernon Adams Jr. led the offense well, Folarin Orimolade made a great return to town, and Jaylon Hutchings, Jacob Roberts and Adrian Green made outstanding strides on defense. After underperforming in recent years, the Stampeders team has worked diligently to offer players improved amenities, including a new playing surface, improved nutritionand an improved gym.
6) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The once-mighty Blue Bombers took a step back in 2025 as the offense struggled, Dalton Schoen and Chris Streveler suffered second-straight ACL tears, and Dillon Mitchell and Peyton Logan went under as free agents. Jason Hogan demoted from offensive coordinator position With Tommy Condell takes over and reunites with Zach Collaros. The pair enjoyed great success together with the Tiger-Cats in 2014 and 2015, although it seems fair to wonder whether that magic has worn off over the last decade or so.
7) Edmonton Elks
The Elks signed Cody Fajardo to a one-year contract extension.giving the franchise a firm start date of 2026. It stands to reason that the team will look to give him more weapons this year, as he and star running back Justin Rankin have been paired at times in 2025. There is plenty of reason to be optimistic on defense in Edmonton, however, with players like Joel Dublanco, Chalen Garnes, Kenneth Logan Jr. and JJ Ross having had breakout years and remaining on rookie contracts.
8) Ottawa Redblacks
Ryan Dinwiddie is the new man in charge of the nation's capital after jumping off the good ship Argo and joining the Redblacks as their new head coach and general manager. There is plenty of work to be done as Ottawa finished the season 4-14, during which the team scored 417 points, the lowest in the league. The biggest key for Dinwiddie will be let's see if he can maximize franchise quarterback Drew Brown's potentialjust as he did with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Chad Kelly and Nick Arbuckle in Toronto.
9) Toronto Argonauts
It's no surprise that the Double Blues bring up the rear, considering they finished the season with five wins and lost their two-time Gray Cup champion head coach to an East Division rival. However, everything is not so bad in Toronto, because… new head coach Mike Miller maintains close relationship with finally healthy Chad Kelly And new director of player personnel Jim Barker wants to revamp offensive line. The odds are stacked against this team with 12 away games planned for 2026 but it's a CFL and anything can happen.
