The Canadian Football League announced significant changes Monday to the game including introducing a smaller field and end zone.

At a media conference, new league commissioner Stewart Johnston announced that changes will be instituted throughout the course of the next two seasons through a phased approach.

Some of the largest modifications will come in 2027 with goalposts being moved to the back of the end zone, the field being shorted from 110 to 100 yards and end zones becoming smaller – from 20 yards to 15.

“This is all about making our great game even more entertaining,” said Johnston in a release. “We are trading field goals for touchdowns, while improving fan experience in stadiums and at home.”

He added while the league will retain its unique elements, innovation is needed to evolve the game.

In anticipation of the structural changes, beginning in 2026, the league will also modify the rouge and adjustments will be introduced to ensure more consistent game flow. ​

The package of changes was approved unanimously by the CFL’s Lead Governors, which includes team owners and chairpersons.

“Our governors do not take change lightly because they know how much the CFL, and the Canadian icon that is the Grey Cup, mean to generations of Canadians,” noted Johnston.

“These changes are about improving something that is already great. They are rooted in data and analytics; they have been thoughtfully and carefully considered. But they are big and bold because that’s what’s necessary to make our fantastic game even more entertaining, and to win in the attention economy.”

CFL changes– 2026 phase

Modified Rouge

The rouge will no longer include a single point for a missed field goal attempt that goes wide of the goalposts. A point will also not be awarded when a punt or kickoff sails through or rolls out the back, or sides, of an end zone without being touched by a returner.

If a punt, field goal or kickoff settles in the end zone, and the returner fails to take it out or takes a knee, a single point will still be awarded.

The change eliminates games being decided by a missed field goal, punt or kickoff through the end zone.

Opposite-field team benches and 35-second play clocks

All teams will be required to have their bench areas on opposite sides of the field, eliminating cases where some players are required to run 50-60 yards for substitutions. Some stadiums currently feature benches on opposite sides, while others are side by side.

To improve game flow and consistency, a new 35-second play clock will automatically begin as soon as the previous play is whistled dead. Currently, the 20-second play clock does not start until manually initiated by an official.

CFL changes – 2027 phase

Goalposts at the back of end zones

To allow passing offences to target the middle of the end zone and to make settling for field goals less attractive, goalposts will be moved to the back of end zones. The shift removes an obstruction that impacts the middle third of the end zone, helping to drive more touchdowns.

The CFL is projecting 10 per cent more end zone completions and 60 more touchdowns per season with the repositioned goalposts.

15-yard end zones and 100-year fields

To ensure scoring remains high and that the kicking game remains relevant, end zones will be shortened from 20 to 15 yards. The CFL will still have the largest end zone of any form of professional gridiron football. The field will also be shortened from 110 yards to 100, while retaining its distinctive 65-yard width, allowing offences to start closer to the opposition’s end zone.

The adjustment also ensures league-wide uniformity of end zone dimensions.

The CFL Rules Committee – composed of the commissioner, CFL head coaches, the CFL Players’ Association and CFL officials – will review and address the nuances of rules impacted by these changes int he upcoming off-season.

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