Key Takeaways
- Referee Ben Major will work his ninth Grey Cup on Sunday in Calgary, leading the CFL's top-rated officiating crew in his 22nd season.
- Field judge Jason Maggio works his eighth Grey Cup, while umpire Kyle Mikulik makes his first championship appearance.
- The 113th Grey Cup kicks off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET at McMahon Stadium, with Montréal facing Edmonton.
Ben Major Will Referee His Ninth Grey Cup — After 375 CFL Games
One bad call. One controversial flag. One decision that could change a championship.
That's the pressure waiting for Ben Major when the Montréal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks meet in the 113th Grey Cup on Sunday at Calgary's McMahon Stadium.
But Major has been here before. Eight times, in fact.
The CFL's referee No. 31 is heading into his ninth Grey Cup, leading the league's top-rated officiating crew. He's in his 22nd season, with 375 games behind him.
And he's not the only veteran carrying serious championship experience.
Field judge Jason Maggio is working his eighth Grey Cup, bringing 26 seasons and 409 games of experience.
The rest of the crew mixes fresh faces with familiar ones. Umpire Kyle Mikulik makes his Grey Cup debut, while down judge Andrew Wakefield returns for his fourth, line judge Dan Mulvihill for his second, side judge Pierre Laporte for his third and back judge Iain Cropper for his second.
Waiting in reserve are referee Tim Kroeker, replay official Dave Foxcroft and video official Andy Fantuz, with Boris Velcic supervising.
Sunday's Frame
The championship kicks off at 6 p.m. ET in Calgary, with Edmonton chasing the title against Montréal in the clubs' 12th Grey Cup meeting.
Riley Green takes the halftime stage, while Sarah McLachlan performs the national anthem. Our Grey Cup Week coverage has the full buildup.
But there's a reason Major keeps getting the championship assignment.
Grey Cup officials aren't selected by luck or seniority alone. The CFL grades officials throughout the season and sends its highest-rated performers to the biggest game.
For Major, that process has resulted in nine Grey Cup appointments across more than two decades.
In a game where one whistle can become the biggest story of the night, that experience matters.
The Twikup Take
Thousands will watch the players. Millions of eyes could be on the biggest moments. But seven officials will have the responsibility of making the calls.
Major has spent 22 seasons preparing for moments like these.
The best outcome for his ninth Grey Cup? Nobody remembers a single call he made.
Image: Illustrative image.