{
    "title": "2026 ANNUAL OFFSEASON RULE CHANGES APPROVED BY BOARD OF GOVERNORS ",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-12 13:00:02",
    "published_at": "2026-05-12 13:00:00",
    "url": "https://press.cfl.ca/2026-annual-offseason-rule-changes-approved-by-board-of-governors",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/WeGd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Final three minutes of a half/game maintained; minor adjustments enacted to improve game flow",
    "slug": "2026-annual-offseason-rule-changes-approved-by-board-of-governors",
    "body": "\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/04466af3-d16c-41bb-81eb-51267e00bb40/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-04466af3-d16c-41bb-81eb-51267e00bb40\"\n                data-id=\"04466af3-d16c-41bb-81eb-51267e00bb40\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/04466af3-d16c-41bb-81eb-51267e00bb40/-/inline/no/Rules+cover.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/04466af3-d16c-41bb-81eb-51267e00bb40/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>TORONTO (May 12, 2026)</strong> &ndash; The Canadian Football League (CFL) Board of Governors has approved rule adjustments that were recommended by the Rules Committee, composed of head coaches, team presidents, the Officials Association and the CFL Players&rsquo; Association. </p><p>In addition to the rule adjustments, the league office has provided additional direction to the operation of the CFL Replay Centre:</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>With the implementation of the automatic 35-second play clock, on-field and replay officials have been directed to avoid slowing the game down, unless a critical ruling is in question</span></li><li><span>Replay Centre officials 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 (i.e. scoring plays, in the final three minutes and coaches&rsquo; challenges)</span></li></ul><p><strong>2026 KEY NOTES ON RULE CHANGES</strong></p><p><strong>FINAL THREE MINUTES</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>20-second play clock maintained in the final three minutes of the first and second halves</span></li><li><span>Game clock starts on the snap of the first play following the three-minute warning </span></li></ul><p><strong>REGULAR SEASON OVERTIME</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>If teams remain tied following a second mini-game, alternating two-point converts will be attempted from the three-yard line until a winner is determined</span></li><li><span>All attempts will take place on the same end of the field as the previous overtime mini-game</span></li><li><span>Each team will be able to take one 15-second timeout in overtime</span></li></ul><p><strong>AUTOMATIC REVIEW: TURNOVER ON DOWNS</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>A turnover on downs ruling will result in automatic review from the Replay Centre</span></li></ul><p><strong>QB KNEELS TO END HALF OR GAME</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>A half or the game may end on a single kneel if all of the following conditions are met:</span><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>The defence does not possess a timeout</span></li><li><span>It is first down and the offence wishes to end the half or game</span></li><li><span>40 seconds or fewer remain on the game clock </span></li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>DEAD BALL PLACEMENT</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>If a kick goes out of bounds through the end zone with no point awarded, or a field goal attempt strikes the goalpost and no points are scored, the ball will be scrimmaged from the 40-yard line</span></li></ul><p><strong>TEAM BENCHES </strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Team bench areas will be between the 40-yard lines on opposite sidelines</span></li><li><span>Bench violations will be a point of emphasis for officials and they will result in in-game penalties and defined supplementary discipline</span></li></ul><p><strong>ROSTER FLEXIBILITY</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Prior to the game, teams may provide officials with a third ineligible number capable of reporting and lining up in an eligible position </span></li></ul><p><strong>INELIGIBLE RECEIVER PENALTY </strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>An incomplete pass will be added to the possible outcomes available to the defending team when an ineligible receiver penalty is called </span></li></ul><p>The preseason slate gets underway on May 18, before the season kicks off on June 4, with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats playing host to the Montreal Alouettes. \u200b </p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-c7eb6cd3-9f09-4a83-ab60-f669009c257d\">\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Lucas Barrett</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Associate Vice-President, Communications &amp; Public Affairs, Canadian Football League</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:lbarrett@cfl.ca\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"lbarrett@cfl.ca\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>lbarrett@cfl.ca</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:416.802.7852\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"416.802.7852\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>416.802.7852</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/LucasBarrett9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"@LucasBarrett9\"><svg class=\"icon icon-twitter release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-twitter\"></use>\n            </svg>@LucasBarrett9</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"http://www.cfl.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"cfl.ca\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>cfl.ca</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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