CFL Announces 2027 Schedule and Playoff Changes

The Canadian Football League announced sweeping changes to its regular-season schedule and playoff format on Tuesday, set to take effect in 2027, including the earliest start ever to the campaign on Victoria Day weekend and an expanded postseason featuring eight of the league's nine teams.

Starting in 2027, the regular season will begin on the Victoria Day long weekend in May, aligning key games with Canadian holidays such as Canada Day, the August long weekend, Labour Day and Thanksgiving. This shift aims to position the CFL as a centerpiece of summer sports, culminating in an earlier Grey Cup on November 7 at Regina's Mosaic Stadium. "All summer long, the CFL will be front and centre exactly where it belongs," Commissioner Stewart Johnston said. "We're establishing CFL long weekends, from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, to create can't-miss events for fans in the stadium and those watching at home."

The playoff overhaul introduces four additional games, expanding the postseason to nine contests including the Grey Cup, up from the current five. The top two teams in each division will play first-round matchups, with winners earning a bye to the Grey Cup semifinals and home-field...