The Ottawa REDBLACKS return home Sunday night for the first of two meetings with the BC Lions this season, welcoming their West Division opponent to TD Place Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Lions enter the matchup with a 5-5 record and riding a four-game winning streak, while the REDBLACKS will look to turn the page after falling to the Montreal Alouettes last Thursday.
Sunday’s matchup marks the first meeting between the two clubs this season, but there is plenty of recent history between them.
The teams split their two meetings in 2025, with Ottawa taking the first game in dramatic fashion.
The REDBLACKS overcame a 27-16 fourth-quarter deficit on September 5 at TD Place, scoring 18 fourth-quarter points before a late touchdown gave Ottawa a 34-33 victory. The Lions had an opportunity to respond in the final seconds, but Ottawa’s defence came up with a game-sealing interception.
One week later, the Lions returned the favour at BC Place, earning a 38-27 victory to even the season series. B.C. built an early lead and held off another late Ottawa push to secure the win.
The Lions arrive in Ottawa playing some of their best football of the season. B.C. has won four straight, with Nathan Rourke playing a major role in the team’s recent run. Rourke threw for more than 300 yards in the Lions’ Week 12 victory over Saskatchewan and has helped guide B.C. into the thick of the West Division playoff race.
Ottawa, meanwhile, will have a new look along the defensive line after injuries suffered during practice this week.
Canadian defensive linemen Luiji Vilain and Aidan John were both injured during practice this week and will not dress Sunday. Their absences will create opportunities for a pair of newly signed Canadians, Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal and Daniel Kwamou, who each joined the club less than a week ago and will now be called into action against BC.
The REDBLACKS will also welcome a special group of Canadian football talent to TD Place.
Members of Canada’s Senior Men’s and Women’s National Flag Football Teams will be in attendance, following their performances at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Germany.
Among those expected at Sunday’s game are former BC Lions quarterback Michael O’Connor, along with members of Canada’s women’s flag football team Sabrina Gervais, Alexane Fournier, Laurence Caron, Catherine Gaumont, Frédérique Morneau, Léa Duval and Rosalie Landry. Canada’s Men’s flag football team head coach will also be on site, as Paul LaPolice will be in the broadcast booth as the colour analyst for TSN’s tv broadcast.
The visit comes after a historic summer for Canadian flag football, with Canada’s women’s team capturing gold at the world championship and both the men’s and women’s teams securing qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.
For O’Connor, Sunday’s visit provides a nice full circle moment. The Orleans native spent the 2022 season with the BC Lions, where he suited up in 17 games, backing up Nathan Rourke, during his breakout season.
The REDBLACKS will look to make the most of their return to TD Place and draw on the rivalry’s recent history as they take on a Lions team that has already established plenty of momentum this season.
Sunday’s game is the first of two meetings between the clubs in 2026, with the return matchup scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend on October 9 in Vancouver. Ottawa has won the Lions’ last two visits to the nation’s capital, coincidentally scoring 34 point in both contests.