‘Don’t change the game too much’: CFL rule changes under the microscope at league’s winter meetings

CFL officials meet in Calgary this week to discuss league business, including rule changes announced last September. Donovan Maess has more.

The Canadian Football League’s (CFL) recently announced rule changes are getting their first taste of debate from coaches and general managers at this week’s winter meetings in Calgary.

On Sept. 22, 2025 the league announced sweeping rule changes which will be implemented over the next two seasons – beginning in 2026.

They include:

• The field will be shortened from 110 yards to 100 yards.
• The end zones will be shortened from 20 yards to 15 yards.
• The goalposts will be moved from the goal line to the back of the end zones.
• The single point awarded for a missed field goal that goes through the end of the end zone will be removed.
• A new, automatic 35-second play clock will start after each play, replacing the current manual system.

According to the league, the application of the rule changes is a top priority at this week’s meetings.

“Once the ‘25 season concluded, you have a little bit more time to look at those things being proposed,” Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Corey Mace told reporters Monday. “For the most part, and until we have the fine details of everything, it’s all kind of speculation.”

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The CFL says discussions will circulate around cascading tactical rules required to implement the structural changes announced in the fall, particularly the play clock changes within the last three minutes.

“We’re here to sort of figure all this out and make it work,” Mike O’Shea, head coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers said. “I’m looking forward to hearing all sorts of different thoughts and perspectives and getting to work on this.”

“[You] go in with an open mind, listen and discuss afterwards,” he added.

It is the first time head coaches and general managers will be in the same room with league executives to discuss the new rules.

“I want to know the details of it and more of the intricacies of what we’re talking about,” said the Riders VP of football operations and general manager Jeremy O’Day. “I think some of them are outside the box, which are interesting.”

Other topics are also on the agenda, including additional potential rule changes.

The CFL does bring forward an annual review of proposed rules to a league committee. This year those include possible amendments to short yardage plays and modifications or reductions to quarterback sneaks and pre-snap penalties.

Overtime and playoff formats as well as a review of the league’s replay centre mandate are also up for debate, among other topics.

“Sometimes there’s things that come up you didn’t think you had too much of an opinion on,” Mace said. “Then you realize like, ‘Oh man, actually, I do.’ So just excited to hear where everybody’s brain at.”

During his state of the league address at the Grey Cup in November, CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston reiterated his office’s commitment to a “uniquely Canadian game.”

“Three downs, 12 players, unlimited motion, 65-yard-wide field and huge end zones: These rules are not going anywhere,” the commissioner said on Nov. 14. “The new rules embrace innovation and perpetual improvement while protecting what makes Canadian football special.”

Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson cautioned about changing too many rules at once.

“You’ll never know which rule made the difference which one did,” he said Monday. “Change a little bit here and there for sure. But make sure you keep the game which has made it a good game, a great game and what we feel like is a highly competitive each and every week.”

“Play football and then figure it out from there,” Dickenson added.

Aside from September’s announced rule changes, no other proposals have been finalized.

Johnston is scheduled to speak to reporters Wednesday as part of the CFL winter meetings.