https://www.cfl.ca/2026/05/12/2026-annual-off-season-rule-changes-approved-by-board-of-governors/ (https://www.cfl.ca/2026/05/12/2026-annual-off-season-rule-changes-approved-by-board-of-governors/)
These are on top of the major rule changes announced last autumn. Some changes are the result of those rule changes. No surprises here as almost everything was leaked at some point during the off season.
TORONTO — The Canadian Football League (CFL) Board of Governors has approved rule adjustments that were recommended by the Rules Committee, composed of head coaches, team presidents, the Officials Association and the CFL Players' Association.
In addition to the rule adjustments, the league office has provided additional direction to the operation of the CFL Replay Centre:
With the implementation of the automatic 35-second play clock, on-field and replay officials have been directed to avoid slowing the game down, unless a critical ruling is in question
Replay Centre officials will continue to support on-field officials during natural breaks in play, when the 20-second variable clock is in effect, such as after a penalty has been called on the field, or in automatic review situations (i.e. scoring plays, in the final three minutes and coaches' challenges)
2026 KEY NOTES ON RULE CHANGES
FINAL THREE MINUTES
20-second play clock maintained in the final three minutes of the first and second halves
Game clock starts on the snap of the first play following the three-minute warning
REGULAR SEASON OVERTIME
If teams remain tied following a second mini-game, alternating two-point converts will be attempted from the three-yard line until a winner is determined
All attempts will take place on the same end of the field as the previous overtime mini-game
Each team will be able to take one 15-second timeout in overtime
AUTOMATIC REVIEW: TURNOVER ON DOWNS
A turnover on downs ruling will result in automatic review from the Replay Centre
QB KNEELS TO END HALF OR GAME
A half or the game may end on a single kneel if all of the following conditions are met:
The defence does not possess a timeout
It is first down and the offence wishes to end the half or game
40 seconds or fewer remain on the game clock
DEAD BALL PLACEMENT
If a kick goes out of bounds through the end zone with no point awarded, or a field goal attempt strikes the goalpost and no points are scored, the ball will be scrimmaged from the 40-yard line
TEAM BENCHES
Team bench areas will be between the 40-yard lines on opposite sidelines
Bench violations will be a point of emphasis for officials and they will result in in-game penalties and defined supplementary discipline
ROSTER FLEXIBILITY
Prior to the game, teams may provide officials with a third ineligible number capable of reporting and lining up in an eligible position
INELIGIBLE RECEIVER PENALTY
An incomplete pass will be added to the possible outcomes available to the defending team when an ineligible receiver penalty is called
Quote from: Stats Junkie on May 12, 2026, 07:12:54 PMIf teams remain tied following a second mini-game, alternating two-point converts will be attempted from the three-yard line until a winner is determined
Does this mean sudden death? That could mean that taking the ball first if you win the toss becomes the best choice -- the opposite of what it is now (with conventional wisdom, not DT's numbers).
I'd prefer to keep the "each team gets a turn" approach, but this should be ok. I'm not sure they are factoring in the time it'll take the O/D D/O to switch after every failed convert, though. It might drag on a bit, especially if both teams are incompetent.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on May 12, 2026, 07:12:54 PMA turnover on downs ruling will result in automatic review from the Replay Centre
So this basically means an auto-review of the spot? Sounds good to me.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on May 12, 2026, 07:12:54 PMA half or the game may end on a single kneel if all of the following conditions are met:
The defence does not possess a timeout
It is first down and the offence wishes to end the half or game
40 seconds or fewer remain on the game clock
So this isn't saying you cannot kneel if the clock says, say 42s, it just means you have to do those the old fashioned way (taking longer to kneel, doing the ol' run back 25Y and 65Y across the field trick).
I like this new rule as it'll wrap up the game faster, make us look LESS like the NFL, and minimize ornery losers from doing shenanigans (trying to hit/injure).
Two-point converts will be attempted from the three-yard line until a winner is determined - It should be like the mini-game where team 2 gets a chance to match; otherwise, team 1 could win it without team 2 ever getting on the field.
Suddenly, SY QB's become very, very valuable.
Will we see more non-QB's an that role? I want to see if DD73 can do it.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 13, 2026, 03:40:21 PMSuddenly, SY QB's become very, very valuable.
Will we see more non-QB's an that role? I want to see if DD73 can do it.
Why more valuable than they are already?
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 13, 2026, 05:16:52 PMWhy more valuable than they are already?
I hope he's wrong, but we certainly see teams (especially the BB) abandon their traditional offence and go with the SY package as they get close.
I mean, you're probably not going to run that play from the three yard line even if you feel good about your sneak personnel and package. It's one play. Not a series.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 13, 2026, 05:30:43 PMI mean, you're probably not going to run that play from the three yard line even if you feel good about your sneak personnel and package. It's one play. Not a series.
We've seen the Bombers do it.
But it's a very specific scenario that will not come up very often so doesn't make the "more valuable" anyway.
Not crazy about the kneel down rule in the first half though I guess the likelihood of it happening is low since all TOs would have to be used up. Seems kinda dumb and just a way to squeeze two more commercials into half time.
Turnover on downs review seems to be somewhat of a time waster if it's down to automatically reviewing the spot of the ball. But it guarantees a couple extra commercial breaks again....
Placing the ball on the 40 for a doink FG attempt seems punitive given the move of the uprights to the back of the endzone.
Quote from: BlueInCgy on May 13, 2026, 06:53:50 PMNot crazy about the kneel down rule in the first half though I guess the likelihood of it happening is low since all TOs would have to be used up. Seems kinda dumb and just a way to squeeze two more commercials into half time.
Turnover on downs review seems to be somewhat of a time waster if it's down to automatically reviewing the spot of the ball. But it guarantees a couple extra commercial breaks again....
Placing the ball on the 40 for a doink FG attempt seems punitive given the move of the uprights to the back of the endzone.
Agree with this, why not place the ball at the last scrimmage point for a missed FG as if it was a turnover on downs. Placing the ball at the 40 when the missed FG was likely kicked from the 25 or 30 seems idiotic.
Quote from: BlueInCgy on May 13, 2026, 06:53:50 PMPlacing the ball on the 40 for a doink FG attempt seems punitive given the move of the uprights to the back of the endzone.
This is the main reason I dont like the CFL removing the 55 yard line.
Teams will be often working with a short field. I'd rather have teams needing to work a bit harder to get to the red zone.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 13, 2026, 07:17:33 PMAgree with this, why not place the ball at the last scrimmage point for a missed FG as if it was a turnover on downs. Placing the ball at the 40 when the missed FG was likely kicked from the 25 or 30 seems idiotic.
the main idea behind this is to encourage teams to go for tds, which is more exciting than watching a fg kicker put one thru from the 35. As far as eliminating the 55yd line that seems juxt dumb
Quote from: Pete on May 13, 2026, 10:22:08 PMthe main idea behind this is to encourage teams to go for tds, which is more exciting than watching a fg kicker put one thru from the 35. As far as eliminating the 55yd line that seems juxt dumb
That doesn't make any sense, how does a stalled drive encourage a coach to reach for the endzone? In most cases if they're 2 yards short or more, they're not inclined to gamble, that's why they elect to kick the FG.
Quote from: Jesse on May 13, 2026, 05:32:46 PMWe've seen the Bombers do it.
But it's a very specific scenario that will not come up very often so doesn't make the "more valuable" anyway.
Bring in a SY guy from the 3 with 1 down to try? We've never done that, unless it was a special case with Strev. But Strev was special and used in a way we may never see again.
Bringing in SY from the 4 on 1st down to make 3 sneaks? Yes, we've done that a fair bit, and not just with Strev. I'm not against it. We should be able to average 1.5Y on 3 attempts (some 1, some 2). Lefeve & Prukop could get it done...
And no, teams will not be bringing in the SY guy for a sneak (even a fake one) from the 3 on a 2PAT. If you had a Strev-type you'd bring him in, but not for a max-jumbo look. No, teams are going to run their normal 2PAT "game on the line" set, which in the CFL is usually in the gun, fake run handoff, short pass or corner or quick slant in the flat. It's astounding how few times teams actually run on 1-try-from-3.
Quote from: Tecno on May 14, 2026, 03:46:22 AMBring in a SY guy from the 3 with 1 down to try? We've never done that, unless it was a special case with Strev. But Strev was special and used in a way we may never see again.
Bringing in SY from the 4 on 1st down to make 3 sneaks? Yes, we've done that a fair bit, and not just with Strev. I'm not against it. We should be able to average 1.5Y on 3 attempts (some 1, some 2). Lefeve & Prukop could get it done...
And no, teams will not be bringing in the SY guy for a sneak (even a fake one) from the 3 on a 2PAT. If you had a Strev-type you'd bring him in, but not for a max-jumbo look. No, teams are going to run their normal 2PAT "game on the line" set, which in the CFL is usually in the gun, fake run handoff, short pass or corner or quick slant in the flat. It's astounding how few times teams actually run on 1-try-from-3.
Tommy Stevens is the closest thing to a sure thing, he's going to have a long career and he'll never have to do anything more than short yardage.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 14, 2026, 04:51:37 AMTommy Stevens is the closest thing to a sure thing, he's going to have a long career and he'll never have to do anything more than short yardage.
He's pretty good. But I think it was us that stuffed him once, in 2025. It was funny seeing his reaction.
My all time fave is still The Feve. Prukop close second. It's not
all about beef. I suspect teams will find ways to stuff Stevens a few more times this season.
I will always love Milt as former player but I generally disagree with every opinion he has on the CFL. And as a TSN employee he very much follows the party line.
Quote from: Jesse on May 15, 2026, 01:02:56 AMI will always love Milt as former player but I generally disagree with every opinion he has on the CFL. And as a TSN employee he very much follows the party line.
He's definitely not a card carrying member of the Canadian football traditionalists. However,very few people have done more for the league in terms of marketability than Milt, and imagine how much more he would have got paid if he was born in Manitoba instead of Ohio. He knows this. Having met Milt many times and hiring him to speak at events in the past, he's an ability first, effort first guy. He's kind and nice about it but like many high achievers, my read on it is he rejects protectionism and would rather assess on outcomes and ability alone.
So would I.