CFL's 2027 Season: Earliest Kickoff, New Format

0:00The Canadian football league is shaking things up big time for 2027, starting the regular season on Victoria Day weekend in May. The earliest kickoff ever. That means all summer long, from May to Thanksgiving, packed with musty games, and get this. The playoffs are getting a total overhaul with 8 out of 9 teams making it in, stretching to 3 rounds before the break up. Instead of just 2, earlier this week, they announced the 2026 season still opens June 4th, with the Montreal Allowettes hitting Hamilton to face the Tiger Cats. Become 2027, that new format cranks up the drama. Top 2 teams for Division Play First, winners get a buy in home field in semis. Losers drop to elimination games against playing winners from seeds 5-8. Commissioner Stuart Johnson is hyped, saying it puts more stakes on every match and keeps more squads in the chase to the end. The CFL Players Association signed off too, locking in better pay and revenue shares for guys on the field, calling it a win for growth that benefits.

1:04Everyone, when the league levels up. On top of that, fields shrink from 110 yards to 100 yards next year, end zones drop to 15 yards from 20 and goalposts. Slide back to boost touchdowns. The 2027 draft hits April 13th, camps follow soon after. These moves lock in non-stop action and bigger crowds, setting the CFL up to dominate the grid iron scene for years ahead. Local news, powered by AI. This is Canada News Today, I'm Corey with The Story.