The unofficial start of the CFL Season saw the Cream, not the Green, rise to the top.

The 2025 Edition of the Labour Day Classic was welcomed by fans of both teams, a tradition like no other. This weekend is special for so many reasons, as all across the CFL you can find rivalries and trash talk that you won't find outside of the playoffs, and with players returning from NFL stints this time of year sees every team finding their true potential as the playoffs approach. Unfortunately for Edmonton Elks fans, the pinnacle of the day told a concerning story about the team's performance against their elite rivals.

EST LABOUR DAY FAN BUS

The biggest win on the day was the Return of the EE Fan Buses. What started as one bus became 2 with a waitlist, showing how much interest there was in an organized gathering of traveling Elks fans. Spearheaded by the Elks and Edmonton Sports Talk, fans loaded into the buses at 10AM and with 2 drink tickets and raffle entries for prizes in hand, we proceeded to McMahon Stadium to witness the annual tradition in Calgary.

As someone that has never made the trip down for the Labour Day Classic, this event was the best way possible to enjoy the game as an Elks fan. The trip down to Cow Town started with the 2015 Grey Cup game on the TV screens, offering some light entertainment for all onboard. Every hour the Elks provided a giveaway item via raffle, and with two beverages supplied and a lunch stop, all needs were met for the contingent of fans heading to Calgary to cheer on their team.

TAILGATE REPORT

As we arrived in Calgary, the Edmonton Elks Fight Song was played which had fans amped up and itching to get off the bus. With gear in hand and cheers galore, we then proceeded to a section of grass to bring our Elks Tailgate to Calgary. Dave McKinnon of Section T brought 2 briskets to serve and with myself on the bun duty, we served up over 50 portions of Brisket On A Bun, a delicious snack for EE fans before entering the stadium. In what some may call a sight for sore eyes, Edmonton Elks fans littered an area right outside of McMahon Stadium for 2 hours, celebrating their team and happy as could be. A slight invasion if you will, all in support of the team on the turf.

When walking through the Stampeders Tailgate, it was evident that the system and population was much different than our own Tailgate Party at Commonwealth Stadium. While the EE version has a tight-knit population of 200, Calgary has many more tailgaters with many spread out as opposed to all in one area. Tailgate culture has been alive and well in Calgary for well over 10 years, where as the EE has only had a Tailgate section for 9 years. The other major difference is that Calgary's Stadium and area is owned by The University of Calgary, as opposed to Commonwealth Stadium which is owned by the City of Edmonton. The Elks version of the Tailgate is still growing and hopes exist that it can surmount the size of Calgary's Tailgate, dubbed as the "Only True Tailgate Party in Canada" by Stampeders President Jay McNeil.

GAME RECAP

THE FAN SIDE

This game was not good for the Elks, simply put. While us Fan Bus folks managed to have a great time despite the results, the game didn't add too many celebrations to our shenanigans.

The offense struggled to find momentum throughout the game with 0 touchdowns posted on the evening. Elks QB Cody Fajardo managed 21 completions on 33 passing attempts, but 4 sacks and 2 fumbles by the offense would kill all momentum, if it was obtained to begin with. RB Justin Rankin was stopped often, carrying the ball 13 times for 48 yards. WR Arkell Smith was the leading wide reciever on the day, catching 7 passes on 8 attempts for 81 yards. Calgary's defense is just that good, taking away reads and runs from Fajardo and the Elks. The offensive line struggled as well, contributing to the 4 sacks allowed.

The defense hung around for at least 2 quarters but failed to produce a sack or interception, allowing 21 points in the process. DB Royce Metchie topped the defensive list with 7 tackles, followed by LB Joel Dublanko with 5 defensive tackles.
Stamps QB Vernon Adams Jr. didn't have the best game but luckily for him, he didn't need to. RB Dedrick Mills had himself a game, rushing 17 times for 106 yards, contributing to the Stampeders victory in a major way.

Special teams may have been the biggest concern for the Elks, with one missed 32-yard field goal from K Vincent Blanchard and then a punt return touchdown allowed, much to the dismay of Elks Head Coach Mark Kilam. As a long-serving member of the Stampeders, Mark Kilam wanted this win against his old team, but unfortunately the victory will have to wait until Saturday or next year. Worth noting is the return of Punter Jake Julien, who will need time to gel with his kicking counterpart in Blanchard.

As a fan visiting McMahon Stadium for the first time, I can say the building itself reeks of history and age, and while I generally like those two things, the age part is really starting to show in a negative way. Outside of a 5-year old yelling "Elks Suck!" (Bless her soul and the tradition), fans of either team generally kept to themselves or lightly chirped at most, making for a hostile-yet-friendly atmosphere inside and out. A few gestures were expected and recieved from the home fans, nothing out of the ordinary for a rivalry game.

TSN, the Edmonton Elks and others were sure to show our Green and Gold group in McMahon's Section X, making the trip that much more memorable. Our group had a fantastic time celebrating the day with one another and even though the game didn't go our way, we all had a blast invading McMahon Stadium as part of a 13-hour journey. Overall, it was great to see Green and Gold fans return to McMahon Stadium in buses. While the ride home was much more quiet, the good times didn't stop after the game with singalongs and conversations right until the buses reached Commonwealth Stadium. Expect this tradition to live on in the future.

UP NEXT: CALGARY STAMPEDERS @ EDMONTON ELKS SEPT 6

The Labour Day Rematch has finally arrived, with a critical 2 points up for grabs. The Calgary Stampeders are coming off a dominant performance against the Edmonton Elks, the Elks hoping to return the favour from their own barn. As tensions build and nerves mount, the Labour Day Rematch will require as many fans as possible in an effort to defeat Calgary. Hopes still exist for an EE playoff run, a win needed this weekend in order to keep those hopes alive.

Buckle Up Elks Fans!