'Best game you can watch': Laval vs. Montreal is a football rivalry unlike any other in Canada

The high-stakes football game between the Laval Rouge et Or and the Montreal Carabins wouldn’t kick off for two more hours, but a handful of eager fans had already snuck away from the raucous tailgate party in parking lots just south of Stade Telus, and formed a queue at the main entrance to Laval’s home field.

Pascal Soucy stood first in line, and that’s not a coincidence. After a dozen years as a Rouge et Or season ticket holder, he had figured out which spot in the 12,750-seat stadium offered the best sight lines. Northernmost edge of section 103, standing room area just behind the last row of bleacher seating, 45 yard line, just south of midfield. If somebody else entered the stadium first, they might beat him to his favourite location. 

From Soucy’s perch, on the last Saturday in September, he enjoyed a view worthy of a travel influencer’s social media feed. Playing surface drenched in early autumn sun. Wisps of cirrus cloud in a brilliant blue sky. In the distance beyond the north end zone, the low green peaks of the Laurentian Mountains. 

On Saturday he would also see the most important regular-season football game on the U Sports calendar. This year, the two squads, as usual, topped the U Sports football table. Host team Laval entered the weekend ranked second, trailing only Montreal, last year’s Vanier Cup champions.

And historically, no U Sports programs have accomplished as much, as quickly, as consistently as Laval and Montreal. Laval has won 11 national titles this century, and the Carabins have qualified for five championship games, winning three. The two programs are neighbours, peers and rivals, which makes their regular-season showdowns both appointment viewing and a checkup on the sport’s health in two