Tiger-Cats host rivals Montreal Alouettes in tone-setting 2026 CFL opener

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats host their east division rivals the Montreal Alouettes Thursday night and it’s more than just a home opener, it’s a tone setter.

This is their chance to show the rest of the league they have a chance to win it all.

Let’s rip off the band aid and start with this: the last time Montreal was in the hammer, they beat the Hamilton Ticats to take the 2025 CFL Eastern Final.

The Ticats finished first in the East Division last year with an 11-7-0 record.

They qualified for the playoffs, then lost the heartbreaking Eastern Final to Montreal 19 – 16.

Montreal previously took the 2023 Grey Cup title at Hamilton Stadium, after beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28 – 24.

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Locals who spoke with CHCH News say the Ticats have the winning solution.

Play-by-play announcer Rick Zamperin says the Ticats have improved in the off-season since that heartbreaker, working out together at the Ticats facility and staying healthy.

“The healthiest teams usually win the Grey Cup, so having Marcellus Bowman, having a great strength and conditioning system that Hamilton has, that’s going to be the key to keeping these players on the field, because your best ability is your availability,” said Zamperin.

Bowman is a former professional football linebacker, and is the head strength and conditioning coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Zamperin says this is the first time since 2019 that the Ticats will open the CFL season at home.

A chance to right the wrongs of last season and show the league they are prepared to win it all.

WATCH MORE: Sportsline: Previewing the 2026 CFL season and Ticats’ potential

“Kenny Lawler is all that and a bag of chips,” said Zamperin.

The Ticats wide-receiver signed a three year contract in the off-season to continue his CFL career in The Hammer, a key to the Ticats’ strength as a team and as Zamperin says, the fans love him.

“He is a guy who is committed to Hamilton long term and he’s not one of the best, but the best receiver in the CFL,” said Zamperin. “He has so many great qualities about him on the field and off the field as well. I think a lot of fans have gravitated to that.”

There are many fans in Hamilton ready to rep the black and gold, always ready to see the positive.

The game took place at Hamilton Stadium, kicking-off at 7:30 p.m.

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