CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos open the 2026 season Friday, hosting the UBC Thunderbirds at McMahon Stadium for KICKOFF XIX.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with a tailgate beginning at 3:30 p.m. and kickoff at 5:30 p.m.

HEADLINES

• Calgary holds a 57-39-2 edge in the all-time series, but UBC has won three straight meetings, including a 23-22 decision in Vancouver last September.
• The rivalry looks different in a KICKOFF setting though – Calgary is unbeaten in four previous KICKOFF meetings with UBC (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018), outscoring the Thunderbirds 171-56 over that span.
• The Dinos enter the regular season with one game already under their belt. A 39-24 preseason win over the University of Regina Rams at the Methanex Bowl in Medicine Hat on Aug. 23. UBC did not play a preseason game.
• Friday's game is the first of two games between the two programs this season; Calgary travels to UBC on Oct. 16 for the return matchup.
• UBC was ranked third, with Calgary right behind them in fourth, in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll.

University of Calgary Dinos (0-0)
Next week: at Saskatchewan

• Calgary finished 3-5 in Canada West play a season ago.
• Ryan Sheahan, the seventh head coach in program history, enters his third season leading the Dinos.
• Receiver Matt Sibley and linebacker Osasere Odemwingie, both selected in the 2026 CFL Draft, return to Calgary for a final season. Sibley caught 37 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns last year, while Odemwingie finished with 40.5 tackles, a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.
• Quarterback David Jordan, who took over as the starter after transferring from Florida A&M, passed for 1,812 yards and six touchdowns in his first season of Canadian football.
• Next week: at University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Friday, Sept. 11.

UBC Thunderbirds (0-0)
Next week: vs. Alberta

• UBC reached the Canada West playoffs for a fifth consecutive season in 2025, punching its ticket with an overtime win at Regina before falling 26-7 to Saskatchewan in the semifinal.
• Blake Nill, a former Dinos head coach, enters his 12th season leading the Thunderbirds.
• Quarterback Drew Viotto returns for his second season after leading Canada West in passing yards in 2025; receiver Trey Montour, also back, posted a team-high six touchdowns and 704 total yards.
• The defence returns 2024 Canada West Rookie of the Year Deacon Sterna along the line.
• Next week: hosts University of Alberta Golden Bears, Friday, Sept. 11.

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