The opening weekend of the 2025 CFL season includes a long-time rivalry between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders that has been historically dominated by the home team.
Last season, the Tiger-Cats went 7-11 in their first year with head coach Scott Milanovich and ended a five-year playoff run. Meanwhile, the Stampeders went 5-12-1 and ended an 18-year playoff run!
My Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders prediction and CFL picks expect this to be a high-scoring affair.
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders prediction
My Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders pick: Over 53.5 (-110 at BET99)
Last season, these two teams split the season series, with the home team taking each game. However, the one constant was that there was plenty of scoring to go around, with 62 total points in the second game in Hamilton and 56 total points in the season opener at Calgary.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are running back Bo Levi Mitchell at quarterback for a third consecutive season after starting 11 seasons for the Stampeders. Mitchell led the CFL in both passing yards and touchdowns last season. This season, he added Kenny Lawler to the receivers from Winnipeg, where he was the fourth leading receiver in the CFL in yards per reception.
They also bring back Tim White, Kiondre Smith, and Shemar Bridges, who were huge contributors to a strong offense last season.
The Calgary Stampeders are starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr in his first season with Calgary, but he has started 111 games in his CFL career. He threw for 2,929 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions in nine starts last season for the BC Lions.
In his nine career starts against the Tiger-Cats, he has 2,197 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Adams Jr will have one of the best receivers in the CFL to throw to this season with Reggie Begelton. Last season, Begelton ranked fifth in receiving yards, second in targets, third in receptions, and fifth in yards after catch. That could be a deadly combo this season, especially with Adams Jr having the ability to run the ball as well.
Both teams are struggling in the secondary due to several injuries that will significantly impact their depth. These two offenses are going to be pass-heavy, and both secondaries are going to struggle to keep up. This game could easily get into the 60s or even 70s, and we only need 54 points for the Over.
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 53.5
Stampeders moneyline
To complement our best bet on the Over, I will take the Stampeders on the moneyline. The home team has historically dominated this series, and the Stampeders are 40-10 all-time at home against the Tiger-Cats. The Tiger-Cats have also lost four consecutive season openers, including last year at Calgary.
Both teams are going to be able to score, but I think the veteran presence of Adams Jr will be enough to give the home team an added edge that they didn’t have last year, and yet they still won this game. Adams Jr is 5-4 all-time against the Tiger-Cats.
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Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders odds
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders live odds
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders opening odds
- Spread: Hamilton -1.5 (+100) | Calgary +1.5 (-120)
- Moneyline: Hamilton (-115) | Calgary (-105)
- Over/Under: Over 52.5 (-110) | Under 52.5 (-110)
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders trend
The Over is 4-1 in the last five matchups between these two teams and is 8-2 in the last 10 Tiger-Cats games. Find more CFL betting trends for Tiger-Cats vs. Stampeders.
How to watch Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders and game info
| Location | McMahon Stadium, Calgary, AB |
| Date | Saturday, 6-7-2025 |
| Kick-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN |
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders key injuries
Tiger-Cats: N/A.
Stampeders: N/A.
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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