‘Fans yearning for a winning team’: Elks looking towards Grey Cup run

Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo is seen at training camp on May 10, 2026. (Miriam Valdes-Carletti/CTV News Edmonton)

The Edmonton Elks kicked off their training camp at Clarke Stadium Sunday to what coach Mark Kilam said was “great energy.”

“Sun is out, great energy, great compete,” said Kilam. “Started the right way, now we’ll settle in and go through camp.”

The team, which came in last place in the west division last season, is looking to ramp things up with their attack.

“We know what our goal is, we know our plan to get there, and we’re just going to attack every day.” said Kilam, who has been head coach for the club for about a year.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo said the team isn’t just looking at making the playoffs this year.

“We want to make a run. We want a Grey Cup,” Fajardo told reporters after the camp. “This roster is good enough to win a Grey Cup.”

The Elks were able to add several new players to their roster on both defensive and offensive lines.

“The excitement is here. It’s in the city,” said Fajardo. “The fans are yearning for a winning team, and the players are yearning for it as well.

“You can feel the electricity and you can feel the build up.”

All Canadian Football League teams began training camp this weekend. The season will start June 4 with the Montreal Alouettes playing against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Elks will have their first match on the road against the Ottawa Redblacks on June 6.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti