Ahead of Sunday’s Grey Cup championship game in Winnipeg, players and coaches weigh in on this final chapter, before the CFL makes changes next season, including field size, goal post location, and play clock.

For those on the field, they say it’s just a part of the game’s evolution.

“I don’t feel any kind of way with them changing the rules. There are good things in the CFL games, there are good things in the NFL game, I feel like why would you not merge it all, you know what I’m saying, and make the best game, so I feel like it’s a great move from the league,“ said Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, a linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes.

Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, a linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes. (Photo Credit: Francisca Oppong, CityNews)

Stevie Scott, Alouettes running back, added, “To me and my teammates, we don’t really see too much of a big change or drastic change cause at the end of the day we love football. We love ball and we will go out there and do whatever, no matter if the goalpost is in the front or it’s in the back, the fields smaller. We are just gonna go out there and play ball.”

Stevie Scott, Alouettes running back. (Photo Credit: Francisca Oppong, CityNews)

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jameer Thurman said, “As a defensive player, it’s nothing to change, anything as far as just the goalpost moving to the back. Other than that, we still gotta go out there and play football.”

With the championship looming, both the Saskatchewan Roughridgers and the Montreal Alouettes are focused on preparation, strategy, and the challenge ahead.

“1-0 every week. That’s been our mentality and motto since week one, and I think we’re week 20 something, it’s been the same motto. We take it one week and a time, and the motto hasn’t changed. To go 1-0 this week,” said Dohnte Meyers, Riders wide receiver.

Dohnte Meyers, Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver. (Photo Credit: Francisca Oppong, CityNews)

Cantin-Arku saying, “I feel like it’s too finish. You know, we came all the way here from Montreal. At one point of the season, we lost five in a row. I feel like no one believed we could be here, so it’s really to finish.”

With the kick-off just days away, they feel the ‘Peg has delivered on the Grey Cup celebrations in 2025.

“Honestly, it’s been electric for me, this is the biggest game I’ve played in,” said Meyers. “You could feel the energy in the room, you could feel the energy in the city.”

Changes coming to the CFL

Starting next season, teams will no longer be able to win games with a single off a missed field goal that sails through the end zone. No points will be awarded for errant field goals, punts, or kickoffs that go through the end zone — either in the air or via a bounce.

If a returner fields a missed field goal, punt, or kickoff in the end zone and either kneels or is tackled in the end zone trying to forward the ball, a single will be awarded.

Also, there will be a 35-second automatic reset on the play clock. Teams currently have 20 seconds to get a play off, but that usually doesn’t begin until it’s blown in by an official, who usually does so once the 10-yard chains are set and player substitutions have been made.

Next year, once a play is dead, the 35-second clock will begin.

In keeping with that, each CFL stadium in 2026 will have team benches on opposite sides of the field to facilitate substitutions. Both benches are on the same side of the field at some stadiums.

Then, in 2027, CFL fields will be modified. They’ll be reduced from 110 yards to 100 yards, end zones will go from 20 yards to 15 yards, and goalposts will be moved from the goal-line to the back of the reconfigured end zones.

Kickoff for the Grey Cup is 5 p.m. Central/ 6 p.m. Eastern.

-With files from the Canadian Press