Elks' 6-1 home record fuels first playoff berth since 2019
Edmonton hosts Hamilton at Commonwealth Stadium Saturday as the CFL club looks to lock up a home playoff date after clinching its first postseason spot in seven years.
Edmonton's CFL franchise, historically dominant at home during its 14 Grey Cup championship runs, has rediscovered that form this season with a 6-1 record at Commonwealth Stadium. That mark has helped the Elks secure their first playoff berth since 2019, and they now host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday coming off a loss in Toronto.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo credited strong fan turnout, often topping 30,000, for creating a tougher atmosphere for visiting teams and giving Edmonton's offence and defence an edge. He said rising ticket sales through the week can affect how opposing teams prepare, adding pressure to the mind games of game week.
Head coach Mark Kilam has promoted the slogan "Concrete Castle of the North" for the stadium, saying the team takes pride in making it a difficult venue for opponents.
The turnaround marks a sharp reversal from earlier in the decade. After the team was renamed the Elks in 2021, it endured a 22-game home losing streak that stretched over four years before finally ending on Aug. 27, 2023. This is the first winning season the renamed Elks have had at Commonwealth. Fajardo, who previously played against Edmonton with Saskatchewan and Montreal, said the organization worked to change that culture from top to bottom.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.