The CFL rules committee has made some significant changes to the league's regulations for 2026, aiming to enhance the game's excitement and fairness. One of the key recommendations is to keep the late-half clock as it is, ensuring that the final three minutes of each half remain untouched by the play clock. This decision will maintain the current 20-second play clock, which must be whistled in by an official for the last three minutes of the second and fourth quarters. This change will keep the game's strategic depth and prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage by manipulating the clock.
Another controversial recommendation is to eliminate ties in overtime. Currently, regular-season games can end in a tie if the score remains even after two rounds of overtime. However, the committee suggests a more dramatic approach: if the game is still tied after two overtime periods, it will be decided by alternating plays from the opposition's three-yard line until one team scores and the other does not. This rule change adds an element of unpredictability and ensures that every game has a clear winner.
The CFL has had four regular-season games end in a tie since 2016, with two of them occurring in 2024. These recommendations are subject to approval from the league's board of governors, who have the power to vote on and implement these changes. In September, the board unanimously agreed to modify several rules, including the clock and rouge regulations, with further adjustments planned for 2027, such as shortening the field and moving the uprights.
The CFL commissioner, Stewart Johnston, will address the media on Wednesday from Calgary, where the league is holding its offseason winter meets. These changes are part of the league's ongoing efforts to modernize and improve the game, ensuring that the CFL remains an exciting and competitive league for fans and players alike.
