1970–1981 SEASONS
< Grey Cup Results
This page summarises key Canadian Football League Playoffs and highlights for the 1970–1981 seasons.
PLAYOFFS (1970–1981)
1981 CFL Season
Champion: Edmonton Eskimos
Runner-Up: Ottawa Rough Riders
Playoff Teams: Edmonton, Ottawa, BC, Hamilton
Notes: Ottawa nearly pulled off a major upset in the Grey Cup.
1980 CFL Season
Champion: Edmonton Eskimos
Runner-Up: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Playoff Teams: Edmonton, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Ottawa
Notes: Edmonton continued its dynasty run.
1979 CFL Season
Champion: Edmonton Eskimos
Runner-Up: Montreal Alouettes
Playoff Teams: Edmonton, Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton
Notes: Third straight Grey Cup win for Edmonton.
1978 CFL Season
Champion: Edmonton Eskimos
Runner-Up: Montreal Alouettes
Playoff Teams: Edmonton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Hamilton
Notes: Start of Edmonton’s record five‑in‑a‑row championship streak.
1977 CFL Season
Champion: Montreal Alouettes
Runner-Up: Edmonton Eskimos
Playoff Teams: Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg
Notes: Known for the “Staples Game” due to Montreal’s traction trick.
1976 CFL Season
Champion: Ottawa Rough Riders
Runner-Up: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Playoff Teams: Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Montreal, Edmonton
Notes: Famous for the last‑minute Gabriel catch.
1975 CFL Season
Champion: Edmonton Eskimos
Runner-Up: Montreal Alouettes
Playoff Teams: Edmonton, Montreal, Calgary, Hamilton
Notes: One of the coldest Grey Cups ever played.
1974 CFL Season
Champion: Montreal Alouettes
Runner-Up: Edmonton Eskimos
Playoff Teams: Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg
Notes: Montreal’s defense dominated throughout the playoffs.
1973 CFL Season
Champion: Ottawa Rough Riders
Runner-Up: Edmonton Eskimos
Playoff Teams: Ottawa, Edmonton, Montreal, Saskatchewan
Notes: Ottawa’s last Grey Cup win until 2016 (as the Redblacks).
1972 CFL Season
Champion: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Runner-Up: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Playoff Teams: Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Ottawa, Winnipeg
Notes: Hamilton won at home with a strong defensive performance.
1971 CFL Season
Champion: Calgary Stampeders
Runner-Up: Toronto Argonauts
Playoff Teams: Calgary, Toronto, Saskatchewan, Hamilton
Notes: Famous for the late-game fumble by Toronto’s Leon McQuay.
1970 CFL Season
Champion: Montreal Alouettes
Runner-Up: Calgary Stampeders
Playoff Teams: Montreal, Calgary, Toronto, Saskatchewan
Notes: Montreal’s first Grey Cup win since 1949.