CFL 2026 Season

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Bush league moves along with the rule changes for 2027 from an increasingly desperate BOG that appears to throw spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks.

The regular season is essentially meaningless.

Not entirely, would you give up on the season, finish 8th and need to win 4 in a row (3 on the road and GC)

Its far from perfect, but if this is part of the new TV deal and getting 4 more playoff games (at 700K to 1M viewers) and the end of the season games can have meaning still. Again not meaningless but would be better if this was a 12 team league.

If there is a big TV contract coming, then maybe expansion is easier into markets like London, QC where maybe 15K seats is okay because the TV money is much bigger.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

If there is a big TV contract coming, then maybe expansion is easier into markets like London, QC where maybe 15K seats is okay because the TV money is much bigger.

They should tell us if that's the case. The fact that they haven't tells me it's hopes and dreams to attract one.

[TorontoDrew]

One of the only ways to attract new fans, and so many like myself who have lost all interest is to ad more teams. Every year your team has a 1 in 9 chance of winning the cup. Technically your team only needs to be the best out of 6 teams to win. That never really feels like much a big deal when you consider the other leagues it's competing for attention with. If you consider leagues like the NHL that has 32 teams. Just getting into the playoffs is an accomplishment.

Lets get some teams in other Canadian markets like Halifax, Kingston, QC, Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, London, or Saskatoon if these cities want a team that is.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by jonny24

They should tell us if that's the case. The fact that they haven't tells me it's hopes and dreams to attract one.

No League announces something unless it is signed, in the interview on Overdrive 1050 yesterday, the Commish said they are talking to TSN AND others

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by TorontoDrew

One of the only ways to attract new fans, and so many like myself who have lost all interest is to ad more teams. Every year your team has a 1 in 9 chance of winning the cup. Technically your team only needs to be the best out of 6 teams to win. That never really feels like much a big deal when you consider the other leagues it's competing for attention with. If you consider leagues like the NHL that has 32 teams. Just getting into the playoffs is an accomplishment.

Lets get some teams in other Canadian markets like Halifax, Kingston, QC, Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, London, or Saskatoon if these cities want a team that is.

I agree, but the biggest issue in stadiums, who would pay? CFL ownership does not as a rule have enough money under the current structure and unlike the US, Canadian Cities do not sell their souls for the next 50 years to sell bonds to finance a stadium. (look at Chicago, they are wanting a new stadium and haven't even paid off the Soldier Field Reno from 20 years ago)

If they get the big new TV contract across the line, then maybe they can go into these markets with a 15K (even some temp seating etc.) maybe with a CPL expansion team

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

No League announces something unless it is signed, in the interview on Overdrive 1050 yesterday, the Commish said they are talking to TSN AND others

Exactly. Changing so many things so drastically, without anyone signed on, is foolish.


Let them (whomever) actually become a partner, before changing for them.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Exactly. Changing so many things so drastically, without anyone signed on, is foolish.


Let them (whomever) actually become a partner, before changing for them.

We don't know the stage that they are at, maybe its close and at the lawyer stage, we don't know. Why do we assume that the CFL BoG and CFLPA are a bunch of idiots and don't know what they are doing or I wouldn't do it that way, therefore it is wrong ?

I would bet that if they announce TV deal and then announced changes after, people would complain, they didn't need to do that, they had the TV deal already

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

We don't know the stage that they are at, maybe its close and at the lawyer stage, we don't know. Why do we assume that the CFL BoG and CFLPA are a bunch of idiots and don't know what they are doing or I wouldn't do it that way, therefore it is wrong ?

History, mostly.

I would bet that if they announce TV deal and then announced changes after, people would complain, they didn't need to do that, they had the TV deal already

You announce it at the same time: "As part of our new deal with Sportsnet starting in 2027, we've agreed to work together on exciting new changes starting in 2028".

[craner]

Stamps new uniforms:
http://https://www.stampeders.com/2026/04/29/2026-calgary-stampeders-jersey-reveal/

Not an improvement IMO.
Personally I think the Stamps had it near perfect the last couple of seasons uniform wise.

[cjones2451]

New TV Deal signed starting in 2027

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/05/28/a-new-era-...media-agreements-in-canada-and-globally/

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League (CFL) has signed a series of groundbreaking media agreements that will redefine how fans across Canada and around the world access and experience Canadian football, setting the stage for the league’s next phase of growth.

Headlined by a renewed commitment from majority partner Bell Media and the introduction of DAZN as a major new broadcast partner. Collectively, these domestic and global partnerships represent the largest media rights deal in league history.

“These record-setting agreements mark a transformative moment for the CFL,” said CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston. “They reflect the deep passion of our powerful fanbase and the accelerating momentum of our league. We are thrilled to be aligning ourselves with Bell Media, Canada’s leading media entertainment company, DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, and YouTube, the world’s largest video platform. Together, they will unlock new CFL audiences, deliver world class entertainment and put the CFL in prime position for its next era of growth.”

BELL MEDIA | CFL MEDIA RIGHTS PARTNER (CANADA)

TSN to broadcast 60 regular season games, six playoff games and the Grey Cup
Extension of longstanding rights for Thursday Night Football and Friday Night Football, created by the CFL and TSN in 2015 and 1997, respectively
Grey Cup simulcast on CTV and Crave, expanding the CFL’s reach through Canada’s most-watched conventional television network and the largest Canadian-owned streamer
RDS returns as the exclusive French broadcaster, airing all Montreal Alouettes games, all playoff games and the Grey Cup
The CFL and Bell Media will extend a longstanding strategic collaboration that began with games airing on TSN in 1986 and on RDS in 1989. Over four decades, TSN has evolved and elevated the league’s broadcast coverage with the partnership growing to include signature events, countless features, award-winning programming and the most-watched annual single-day sporting event in Canada – the Grey Cup.

In 2027, TSN will broadcast up to three regular-season CFL games per week for a total of 60 games, including the iconic Friday Night Football, which first launched in 1997, and Thursday Night Football, which has become a standout night on the summer schedule since it began in 2015. In addition, TSN is home to six of the eight playoff games as part of the newly announced postseason format and the Grey Cup. Expanding reach to the largest possible national audience, TSN, CTV and Crave will simulcast the Grey Cup and select games.

RDS will continue to serve French-language audiences by broadcasting the full slate of Montreal Alouettes games, 25 marquee matchups throughout the regular season, all playoff games and the Grey Cup.

TSN and RDS continue to provide extensive coverage of the league across all platforms, backed by an industry-leading roster of reporters, analysts and insiders.

DAZN | CFL MEDIA RIGHTS PARTNER (CANADA AND INTERNATIONAL)

DAZN to introduce a consistent day and time window with primetime Saturday Night Football (7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT) available exclusively each week of the regular season
Saturday night playoff game in each of the first two rounds will be featured at 7:00 p.m. ET only on DAZN
DAZN to become the official global broadcaster of all CFL games—outside of Canada and the United States—including the full regular season, all eight playoff games and the Grey Cup
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, will further expand its gridiron football portfolio as a new CFL partner, delivering broad access across devices so fans can watch anytime, anywhere.

DAZN Canada will exclusively feature Saturday Night Football weekly at 7:00 p.m. ET throughout the regular season, extending into the first two playoff rounds as teams compete for Grey Cup contention.

A new team of analysts, play by play announcers, commentators and sideline reporters will be assembled by DAZN to deliver exclusive coverage of the league’s on field action and entertainment. Fans will also benefit from DAZN’s enhanced platform features, including FanZone live chat and dedicated fan spaces, Multiview, highlights, breaking news, real-time Scores and original programming.
​
​Outside of Canada and the United States, DAZN will become the official global broadcaster of the CFL. Every CFL game—from season kickoff to Grey Cup—will stream live and on demand in more than 200 countries starting in 2027.

Leveraging DAZN’s global reach and cutting-edge platform, the partnership will expand access, grow audiences, and enhance the fan experience worldwide. The CFL joins a fast-growing portfolio of premium sports content that includes NFL Game Pass, U.S. college football and basketball, UEFA Champions League, NHL.TV, and PGA TOUR Pass, available on DAZN in select markets globally.

YOUTUBE | CFL PREMIER PLATFORM PARTNER (CANADA)

Expanded live and on-demand platform content, including live preseason games (excluding Bell Media and DAZN games), enhanced CFL Combine coverage, an All-Access unscripted series, and a steady pipeline of highlights, interviews, analysis and behind-the-scenes content
Creator-focused initiatives, including a CFL-YouTube creator sporting event, creator partnerships across CFL markets, and expanded content opportunities for media partners on YouTube
Partnership to boost the CFL’s presence on the platform, expand live stream content, and increase accessibility to the CFL’s historical game archive
YouTube, the world’s largest video platform, will join forces with the CFL as a Premier Platform Partner beginning in 2027 through an expanded, multi-faceted partnership designed to redefine the fan experience and attract new audiences.

This collaboration connects the CFL’s iconic sporting tradition with YouTube’s future-focused platform, creating new opportunities for content creation, fan engagement and digital innovation. League media partners will also be able to leverage YouTube to highlight their live and on-demand content across their respective YouTube channels.

The CFL will significantly expand the volume, variety and speed of content on its official YouTube channel, including live streams of preseason games not otherwise available on Bell Media or DAZN, enhanced CFL Combine coverage, an All-Access unscripted series, a robust slate of on-demand content, highlights, interviews, analysis, behind-the-scenes storytelling, creator collaborations, and original programming produced exclusively for YouTube.

The partnership will leverage platform tools and resources to increase the league’s digital presence, expand its live streaming library, and give access to the CFL’s historical game archive.

QUOTE BOARD

“This is an exciting moment for the CFL, and this agreement reinforces Bell Media’s position as the league’s majority broadcast and streaming partner, ensuring fans across Canada have unmatched access to the game on TSN, RDS, CTV and Crave. By combining expanded rights with the full reach of Bell Media, we’re bringing the CFL closer to fans than ever before – serving our viewers and subscribers with more access, more choice and more ways to connect with the game across every platform, while continuing our proud legacy as the home of the Grey Cup. Building on more than 40 years of partnership, we’re carrying that momentum forward by creating new ways for fans to experience the CFL in an evolving media landscape.”
​– Shawn Redmond, Vice President, Bell Media Sports

“Having grown up as an Albertan with Saskatchewan roots, I’ve witnessed firsthand the proud history and passionate fanbases the Canadian Football League has across the country. The CFL has built on that legacy through recent innovation and modernization and has solidified its place among Canada’s elite properties. Our partnership enables DAZN to showcase the CFL in new ways, with accessible coverage and authentic storytelling, while keeping it uniquely Canadian.”
​– Deidra Dionne, Head of DAZN Canada

“The Canadian Football League combines heritage, loyalty, and growing international appeal. Adding the world’s second-largest professional football league is a no-brainer. The CFL is a strong addition to our robust football portfolio and reinforces our commitment to offering top-tier sports to fans globally.”
​– Shay Segev, DAZN Group, CEO

“YouTube is the perfect place for fans, creators, the league and players to come together. Building on the success of our broader football strategy, we are thrilled to support the CFL in expanding their reach and audience, making sure that games, player stories and so much more reach Canadians from coast to coast. This partnership will redefine the fan experience and transform how fans create, consume and interact with CFL content.”
​– Nicole Bell, Head of YouTube Canada

[EpicPonyTime]

/r/CFL has some sources indicating that the new TV deals are a 60% increase over the previous deal with TSN, worth about 500 million over the life of the deal.

[craner]

^That rumour would very much surprise me if it turns out to be true.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by craner

^That rumour would very much surprise me if it turns out to be true.

Multiple outlets, Dan Ralph being the first, have reported this

I don't think it should be a surprise, the regional deals with TSN for the Jets -and Senators are reported to pay $75-85 Million per year and deliver 200K fans per broadcast. So the CFL is a pretty good value with 450K on average and higher in the playoffs and GC

[Hackslack]

Rules changes, change of field dimensions, and reformatting the playoffs, are the catalyst of these deals…. Credit to the league for these major pivots in their product

[craner]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Multiple outlets, Dan Ralph being the first, have reported this

I don't think it should be a surprise, the regional deals with TSN for the Jets -and Senators are reported to pay $75-85 Million per year and deliver 200K fans per broadcast. So the CFL is a pretty good value with 450K on average and higher in the playoffs and GC

I hope it is true.

[ScreamingViking]

If teams can financially benefit, that's good.

But if I have to pay more to watch "away" games and playoffs, this will suck.

I bet the scenario changes. Just because this is all about 2027, which may as well be 2057 the way things have been.

[Coldrsx]

Elks playing at good ol Clarke Field tonight against Calgary due to the new grass in preparation for the FIFA friendly.

Should be kinda neat and a nice throwback. Curious to see how it looks/feels.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Elks playing at good ol Clarke Field tonight against Calgary due to the new grass in preparation for the FIFA friendly.

Should be kinda neat and a nice throwback. Curious to see how it looks/feels.

I keep waxing and waning on getting tickets. On the one hand, it does sound like a unique one off event to see the Battle of Alberta up close and personal. On the other hand, it's seeing preseason football up close...

[cjones2451]

Season Kicks off tonight

[Coldrsx]

EE win!

Solid offensive numbers for the Elks.

Mistakes made by Ottawa.