Snowbirds Fly Final Tutor Show at Grey Cup
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will close out their CT-114 Tutor era at the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary on November 15, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Canada
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The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform their final flight in CT-114 Tutor aircraft at the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on November 15, 2026. The performance concludes the team's 55th anniversary season.
Why it matters
The Royal Canadian Air Force has announced the Tutor aircraft will be retired following the 2026 season, and the federal government will ground the Snowbirds until the early 2030s while CT-157 Siskin II aircraft replace the Tutors. The change marks a multi-year gap in one of Canada's best-known aerial demonstration teams.
The Snowbirds have flown the CT-114 Tutor since 1971, and the team's nine-aircraft formation will mark its final Tutor performance at the 113th Grey Cup on November 15, 2026. The source does not state when the team will resume flying after the grounding period.
The players
Canadian Forces Snowbirds
The Snowbirds are the aerial demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force, known for their nine-aircraft formation flying and long-running performances across Canada and the United States.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force is the air branch of the Canadian Armed Forces and oversees the Snowbirds and the aircraft replacement program.
The details
The Snowbirds will perform at McMahon Stadium in Calgary as part of the 113th Grey Cup, which will be the team's last flight in the Tutor jets. The 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, has used the aircraft since 1971, and pilots train at 19 Wing Comox each spring.
Timeline
The 2026 season will be the Snowbirds' final season before the Tutor aircraft are retired.
On November 15, 2026, the team will make its final Tutor flight at the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
The team is expected to be grounded until the early 2030s while CT-157 Siskin II aircraft are introduced.
Travel Outlook
The Snowbirds have performed at the 101st, 106th and 109th Grey Cup championships, and this 113th edition adds a final Tutor show to that run. The November 15, 2026 date falls at the close of the 2026 touring season, which is typically a quieter period for travel to Calgary.
Travellers planning to attend the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary on November 15, 2026, can see the Snowbirds' final Tutor show at McMahon Stadium. Those hoping to see the team after the grounding should expect a gap until the early 2030s.
The takeaway
Catching the Snowbirds' final Tutor flight at the 113th Grey Cup on November 15 may be the last chance to see the team in these aircraft for several years. Planning ahead for the McMahon Stadium date could make the difference between seeing the show and missing it.
What happens next
The 113th Grey Cup takes place on November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, where the Snowbirds' final Tutor performance is scheduled.
Further reading
For more on the team's travel and events across the country, explore Canada.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CHEK.
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