GM/HC MEDIA DAY AND COMMISSIONER’S AVAILABILITY HIGHLIGHT WINTER MEETINGS
Virtual availabilities and offseason discussions set the stage for 2026 season
TORONTO (January 9, 2026) – Media members are invited to participate in virtual availabilities as part of the 2026 Canadian Football League (CFL) Winter Meetings in Calgary.
As part of the annual event, Team Presidents, General Managers, Head Coaches, Commissioner Stewart Johnston, League Office personnel and CFL Players’ Association representatives will participate in various meetings to plan for the upcoming campaign and discuss topics related to the future of the league.
A General Managers and Head Coaches Media Day will be conducted on Monday, January 12. Commissioner Johnston will also conduct a virtual availability on Wednesday, January 14, in anticipation of his second season.
Recordings of both virtual availabilities will be provided upon request.
2026 WINTER MEETINGS DISCUSSION TOPICS
The following list is non-exhaustive. Discussion topics may or may not lead to changes.
- Application of rule changes
- Cascading tactical rules required to implement structural changes announced in September (e.g. last three-minute rules)
- Additional rule changes
- Annual review of proposed rule changes brought to the rules committee (e.g. short yardage plays/modifying or reducing quarterback sneaks/pre-snap penalties)
- Overtime
- Potential format adjustments during the regular season
- Replay Centre
- Review of mandate
- Negotiation Lists
- American player draft as a possible alternative to acquiring and managing U.S. player rights
- Olympic guidelines
- 2028 CFL Schedule
- CFL player eligibility and participation limits for camps and/or LA28
- Playoffs
- Potential adjustments to the Grey Cup Playoff format for future seasons
- Free Agency and Communication Window
- Potential adjustments to format and timeline
- Additional on-uniform branding opportunities
- New league-wide commercial inventory
- End of season player recognition
- Potential format adjustments to CFL Awards and All-CFL Teams
- Contingency planning related to inclement weather
- Communication, team guidelines, stadium operations, fan experience, etc.
- Player compensation transparency
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT
- 2026 Winter Meetings – Virtual Availabilities
WHEN
- Monday, January 12 – GM/HC Media Day | 10 – 1:30 p.m. MT (approx.)
- Wednesday, January 14 – Commissioner’s Availability | 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. MT
WHERE
- GM/HC Media Day
Meeting ID: 284 363 028 471 63
Passcode: mz7ck3fM - Commissioner’s Availability
Meeting ID: 862 8168 5056
Passcode: dnzA2meU
WHO
- GM/HC MEDIA DAY
- 10 a.m. | Montreal | Danny Maciocia and Jason Maas
- 10:20 a.m. | Ottawa | Ryan Dinwiddie and Shawn Burke
- 10:40 a.m. | Toronto | Michael Clemons and Mike Miller
- 11 a.m. | Hamilton | Orlondo Steinauer
- 11:20 a.m. | Winnipeg | Kyle Walters (remote) and Mike O’Shea
- 11:40 a.m. | Saskatchewan | Jeremy O’Day and Corey Mace
- Noon | Calgary | Dave Dickenson
- 12:20 p.m. | Edmonton | Ed Hervey and Mark Kilam
- 12:40 p.m. | BC | Ryan Rigmaiden and Buck Pierce
- COMMISSIONER’S AVAILABILITY
- CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston