The proposed changes make the CFL less Canadian
The Canadian flag is displayed at centre field prior to a CFL game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on June 14, 2025. Introduction On September 22, 2025, an earthquake in Toronto sent shockwaves across Canada. More than a year later, the aftershocks are still being felt. Stewart Johnston, who had only been commissioner of the Canadian Football League for five months at that point, rocked the foundations of the sport by announcing a litany of changes that not only affected the rulebook, but also the physical layout of the field itself. The proposed rule changes included: Starting in 2026: modified rouge team benches on opposite sidelines 35-second play clock double overtime mini-games followed by alternating two-point conversions to eliminate tie games Starting in 2027: shrinking the playing field from 110 yards long to 100 yards long moving the uprights from the goal line to the end line shrinking the end zone from 20 yards deep to 15 y...