major announcement - big changes to cfl playoff and season start

GOLDMEMBER · April 28, 2026, 08:37:35 PM

I like the changes generally but this IS way to much to fast.

But mistakes will be made and it will be interesting to see which teams pay the biggest prices?

I fear the league will basically alienate near everyone except the real die hards while the normies will care less.

GOLDMEMBER · April 28, 2026, 08:38:34 PM

Quote from: Jesse on April 28, 2026, 08:28:09 PMWell, you certainly want to be in the top 2 in your division. Generally, that will keep things competitive for most of the season until the possibility is mathematically eliminated. After that, it's a scramble to not be last for the bottom teams, which is a nice incentive not to tank.

this make sense. I like this angle.

GOLDMEMBER · April 28, 2026, 08:40:46 PM

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on April 28, 2026, 08:29:27 PM

That's basically my reaction.

May Long Weekend kicking off the 2027 season will be interesting considering how finnicky the weather can be that time of year.

The new playoff format seems to make the season redundant, but I'll reserve judgement until we see how it actually plays out.

It could make for a very different looking CFL come next year.

And here's the official link for anyone interested: Coming in '27

May long weather in recent years is a disaster in Southern Manitoba. We pity our neighbours who start camping that weekend each year.

blueandgoldguy · April 28, 2026, 08:45:19 PM

Wow is right. Wow as in incredibly dumb. Still, never underestimate the stupidity of the BOG who saw dollar signs when this suggestion was floated out there. What's obviously a play to gain more gate revenue and a larger tv contract with 4 more games during the season may not result in significantly more revenue as some might believe as the regular season will soon be irrelevant.

Teams hosting 2 home playoff games will face an increasing likelihood of one or both of those games selling rather poorly and this may result in minimal or zero profits for that specific game. Remember there are costs with operating the stadium on game days and additional costs for the players for those additional games.

Overall, league attendance may increase slightly for the league thanks to the additional 4 playoff games, but overall league profits (or rather losses since most teams lose a few million to several million per year) will likely see minimal, if any improvements, since per game average attendance will likely remain the same or even decline...you know...because the regular season games will be mostly meaningless.

To my knowledge, never in the history of pro sports has a league had 90% of its respective teams qualify for the playoffs. I think this is bush league and just shows how desperate the BOG is at this point. Throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks - see also the rule changes.

peg_city · April 28, 2026, 09:08:17 PM

I'm surprised there isn't more push back on the playoff format. It's really that 8 of the 9 teams makes the playoffs. If there were 12 teams in the league, I'd be okay with it.

Season starting earlier is great.

Sir Blue and Gold · April 28, 2026, 09:16:06 PM

Next step one division. Let's go. Keep them coming.

jets4life · April 28, 2026, 09:16:55 PM

Quote from: peg_city on April 28, 2026, 09:08:17 PMI'm surprised there isn't more push back on the playoff format.

Season starting earlier is great.

At this point, they should just change the name of the CFL, to the TFL (Toronto Football League), since all the decisions involving the CFL are made with executives in a boardroom in Toronto, all the rabid fans in CFL strongholds like Winnipeg and Regina be damned.

Pigskin · April 28, 2026, 09:19:01 PM

9 team league and only 8 teams make the playoffs.

Sir Blue and Gold · April 28, 2026, 09:19:55 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on April 28, 2026, 09:19:01 PM9 team league and only 8 teams make the playoffs.

Never go full Ottawa.

Pigskin · April 28, 2026, 09:20:19 PM

I would be okay with one division.

Sir Blue and Gold · April 28, 2026, 09:21:47 PM

Not that I want to stir the pot, okay kinda, but can someone point the differences between this format and the NFLs for me...

...

bunker · April 28, 2026, 09:40:04 PM

I think they borrowed the play in idea from the NBA, the idea being that more teams are playing relevant games late in the season and are not eliminated from the playoffs. The problem is that with 8 teams makings it, if you have one terrible team (which we usually do), the other 8 teams will be guaranteed a playoff spot pretty early in the season. Games are still meaningful in a way though, since you are trying for a top 2 spot and also for home field advantage. A lot to digest... I think the word to describe how I feel is discombobulated.

Waffler · April 28, 2026, 10:03:29 PM

Is it April 1st again? Making it ok to not win... Just lose baby. until November, then turn it on.

Edit: make that Oct 15. Duane Ford will still be finishing the turkey.

The CFL will be unrecognizable by next year.

Jesse · April 28, 2026, 10:34:23 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on April 28, 2026, 09:19:01 PM9 team league and only 8 teams make the playoffs.

I think they dropped the ball on messaging here. With the "play/in" round, I think the idea was that 4 teams make the playoffs and that 4 additional teams have an opportunity to earn their way in.

But the 8 out of 9 teams making it in has taken on a life if its own on socials.

Sir Blue and Gold · April 28, 2026, 11:06:57 PM

Quote from: Jesse on April 28, 2026, 10:34:23 PMI think they dropped the ball on messaging here. With the "play/in" round, I think the idea was that 4 teams make the playoffs and that 4 additional teams have an opportunity to earn their way in.

But the 8 out of 9 teams making it in has taken on a life if its own on socials.

It seems to be a bit different than I understood it listening to tsn now.