The more things change in the Canadian Football League the more they, well, continue to change.
The league announced Tuesday its board of governors has approved a slate of rule changes for the 2026 season, including the elimination of tie games.
Effective immediately, games that remain tied following the second overtime mini-game will be settled by having the teams alternate two-point convert attempts from the three-yard line until a winner is determined.
All attempts will take place at the same end of the field as the previous overtime mini-game.
Four regular-season games have ended in ties over the past 10 seasons dating back to 2015. The two most recent draws took place in 2024 – Aug. 8 when the Saskatchewan Roughriders tied the hometown Ottawa RedBlacks 22-22, and Sept. 14 when the Montreal Alouettes travelled to Calgary for a 19-19 push with the Stampeders.
The changes announced Tuesday were recommended by the league’s rules committee in January prior to board approval. The rules committee is composed of head coaches, team presidents, league officials and members of the CFL Players Association.
Another change will see a partial rollback of the automatic 35-second play clock announced in September, with the final three minutes of each half to be played under the existing discretionary 20-second play clock, which must be whistled in by an official.
Additionally, when the 35-second play clock is in effect, the league said in a news release that on-field and replay officials “have been directed to avoid slowing the game down, unless a critical ruling is in question.”
Replay Centre officials meanwhile “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.”
The list of those situations also grew Tuesday to include turnovers on downs, while the league introduced one more change yet to the end of either half.
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;
And 40 seconds or fewer remain on the game clock.
Other changes introduced Tuesday include:
Each team will now be able to take one 15-second timeout in overtime.
On kicks that go out of bounds through the end zone or field goals that strike the goalpost with no points awarded, the ball will be scrimmaged from the 40-yard line.
Bench violations will be a point of emphasis for officials, and will result in in-game penalties or supplemental discipline.
Prior to the game, teams may provide officials with a third ineligible number capable of reporting and lining up in an eligible position.
And an incomplete pass has been added to the list of possible outcomes available to the defending team when an ineligible receiver penalty is called.