Established
1949
City
Edmonton
League History
1958 – Present / Canadian Football League
Team History
2021 - Present / Edmonton Elks
2021 / Edmonton Football Team
1949 - 2020 / Edmonton Eskimo
Nickname
Eskimos - The Edmonton Eskimos are one of the most beloved teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL). But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story?
It all began in 1895 when a local sports club was founded. The team, originally called “the Esquimaux” after the native Inuit people who lived nearby, quickly became popular with fans and changed its name to “the Edmonton Eskimos” shortly after that.
This change is unclear; some say it was due to a misunderstanding about the spelling "Esquimaux," while others believe it may have been because of cultural sensitivity towards indigenous peoples at that time. Whatever the case, there's no denying that this unique moniker has become synonymous with football excellence over the years!
Over 120 seasons later and three Grey Cup championships under their belt, they continue to bring excitement and joy into our lives every game day - proving once again why they're one of Canada's favorite teams! Whether you call them by their original name or prefer 'Edmonton Eskies,' we can all agree: They will always hold a special place in our hearts as true champions on and off the field.
Championship
Grey Cup 14
2015, 2005, 2003, 1993, 1987, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1975, 1956, 1955, 1954
Stadium
1978 - Present / The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium
1949 - 1978 / Clarke Stadium
Owner
1949 - Present / Community - Widely Held
- 1949
- 2015
- 1954 - 1955 - 1956 - 1975
- 1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982
- 1987 - 1993 - 2003 - 2005
-
Eskimos Team Formation
Edmonton played its first series of organized games with the formation of the Alberta Rugby Football Union in 1895. In 1897 the name Esquimaux was adopted. In 1910 the club was officially named the Edmonton Eskimos, with the current incarnation beginning play in 1949. Since 1978 the Eskimos have played their home games in The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium. ... -
Grey Cup Champs 2015
The 103rd Grey Cup was a Canadian football game that was played on November 29, 2015, between the East Division champion Ottawa Redblacks and the West Division champion Edmonton Eskimos to decide the Canadian Football League (CFL) championship for the 2015 season. The game was played at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shaw Communications was the presenting sponsor of ... -
Grey Cups Champs 1954 – 1955 – 1956 – 1975
Grey Cup 1954 The 42nd Grey Cup football game was played on November 27, 1954, before a full house (27,321 in attendance) at Varsity Stadium Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The underdog Edmonton Eskimos won a contest over the Montreal Alouettes by the score of 26 to 25. The game, replete with record performances and a touch of controversy, is considered one of the finest Grey Cup games ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1978 – 1979 – 1980 – 1981 – 1982
Grey Cup 1978 The 66th Grey Cup was played on November 26, 1978, before 54,695 fans at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. The Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Montreal Alouettes in a close game, 20-13. Grey Cup 1979 The 67th Grey Cup was played on November 25, 1979, before 65,113 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The Edmonton Eskimos defeated the Montreal ... -
Grey Cup Champs 1987 – 1993 – 2003 – 2005
Grey Cup 1987 The 75th Grey Cup was the 1987 Canadian Football League championship game that was played at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Toronto Argonauts. The Eskimos defeated the Argonauts 38-36, on Jerry Kauric’s last-second field goal. Grey Cup 1993 The 81st Grey Cup was the 1993 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Winnipeg Blue ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a professional Canadian Football League (CFL) team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 1949, the team has been one of the most successful teams in CFL history, with 14 Grey Cup championships and counting. As part of their long-standing tradition of excellence on and off the field, they have developed an enduring legacy celebrated by sports fans throughout Canada.
Throughout its history, the franchise has enjoyed tremendous success both on and off the field due to its solid fan base and consistent performance from its players over time. The Eskimos had won 15 division titles since 1950 when they joined up with what was then known as Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). Additionally, they’ve appeared in 27 Grey Cups—winning 14 times—which makes them one of only two teams to win more than 10 cups since 1954, when it became officially recognized by name. This impressive track record speaks volumes about how much this organization values winning above all else.
Off-the-field activities also play a significant role for any successful sports organization like Edmonton Eskimos; however, it is often overlooked or forgotten because all focus is solely on game results during season playtime. The Esks are no exception here either – they host numerous community events each year while offering various programs such as youth football camps which help promote inclusion among children within local communities across Alberta province-wide! With so many significant initiatives taking place outside regular games themselves, there's no doubt why this club remains popular amongst diehard Canadian football enthusiasts everywhere today!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history