The Royal Canadian Air Force’s aerobatic team, officially 431 Air Demonstration Squadron and popularly known as the Snowbirds, will make a final season appearance over Calgary as part of the festivities surrounding the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium on Nov. 15.
End of an era for the CT-114 Tutor demonstration
The announcement, carried on the Canadian Football League’s social channels and picked up by national outlets, confirms what many aviation and military-watchers have expected: this year will be the last full season for the Snowbirds flying the CT-114 Tutor aircraft. The jets have been the team’s mount since 1971.
The Tutors are being retired after the 2026 season. The RCAF has indicated a long-term transition to replacement aircraft that will not be complete until the early 2030s.
“As we close out the Snowbirds’ 55th anniversary, I want to thank all Canadians for celebrating our team over this past season,” said Major‑General Denis O’Reilly, deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Grey Cup appearance, and what it means for Calgary
The flypast is scheduled to take place at the start of the championship game on Nov. 15. The Snowbirds have a history of appearing at Grey Cup championship games: they previously performed at the 101st, 106th and 109th editions. Their presence at the 113th Grey Cup brings national pageantry to McMahon Stadium and adds a visible, symbolic close to the Tutors’ long service.
For Calgarians, the announcement means the Grey Cup will be one of a small number of remaining public opportunities to see the original Snowbirds formation in action. The team had earlier scheduled a performance at the California Capital Airshow in Sacramento on Oct. 10 and 11; the final Grey Cup flight had been confirmed following that engagement.
- Team: 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (Snowbirds)
- Aircraft: CT‑114 Tutor (in service since 1971)
- Event: 113th Grey Cup, Nov. 15, McMahon Stadium, Calgary
Local impacts and the broader picture
Public flypasts at major sporting events are short demonstrations, but they carry broader implications. The Snowbirds’ appearance will be part of Grey Cup event planning: coordinating airspace, ground security and spectator sightlines, all while accommodating tens of thousands of ticket holders and the national television audience that follows the CFL championship.
Beyond the logistics, the Tutors represent a long chapter in Canadian military demonstration flying. Their retirement after 2026 changes not only the visual spectacle at stampedes, airshows and championship games, but also the training and operational profile of the squadron as it prepares for future aircraft and new demonstration capabilities in the coming decade.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Grey Cup flypast | Nov. 15 — McMahon Stadium, Calgary |
| Snowbirds' service with Tutors | Since 1971 (55th anniversary season) |
| Aircraft transition | Replacement planned for early 2030s |
The RCAF’s note marking the Snowbirds’ 55th anniversary framed the season as both a celebration and a farewell. For Calgarians attending the Grey Cup, it provides a moment to witness a piece of Canadian aviation history before the display team begins its long transition to new equipment.
As preparations continue for the 113th Grey Cup, city and event organisers will include the flypast in operational planning. For many in Calgary, the sight of the Snowbirds over McMahon will be a memory of more than a single game: it will be part of the closing chapter for an iconic Canadian formation flying the Tutors for more than half a century.
