Oct 14 2025
‘Logistically, how would this work?’: Can local amateur football adopt new CFL changes?
Over the next two years, the Canadian Football League (CFL) is phasing in multiple changes.
Those involved in amateur football in this country watched the announcement and wondered how this will impact their leagues.
“I think the biggest question a lot of people have is, logistically, how is it going to work?” said Matt Snyder, head coach of the London Beefeaters of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).
Starting in 2026, the league will modify the rouge rules, move benches to opposite sides of the field and add a 35 second play clock.
In 2027, they will shorten the field to 100 yards, move the goalposts to the back of the endzone and shorten those endzones to 15 yards from 20.
“At our level is nobody owns their own field,” said Snyder.
“Everybody’s renting a field from a city or a university. If our city says we’re not changing the fields, what do we do at that point?”
U Sports said in a statement it will begin engaging with members and stakeholders over the following weeks and months to determine the ramifications for U SPORTS football, and the best course of action for U SPORTS.
At Western University, Mustangs head coach Greg Marshall is taking a wait and see approach, but also worries about modifying the fields.
“Our lines are all stitched in, and we’ve got another eight years to ten years left on this field. It’s not to change those fields.”
Marshall, who won a Grey Cup and coached in the CFL is in favour of some of the changes, but not a fan of others.
“I have to see about the timing because the timing right now is in the hands of the referees,” said Marshall.
“Going with a 35 second clock allows you to play fast and go fast on offense. I’m just a little concerned about the last three minutes because essentially if you don’t have timeouts, a team can take a lot of time off the clock. Those last three minutes of the game are pretty exciting.”
He’s in favour of moving the goalposts to the back of the endzone from a safety standpoint and opening up the offensive playbook. He doesn’t want to see the 110-yard field reduced to 100 yards.
It will also force coaches to plan their strategy around field goals and taking chances.
“You’re going to go for it more on third down to try to score because you aren’t going to punt when you are on the 30 (yard line),” says Marshall.
“It should provide more offence which is what people want to see.”
Some kickers have spoken out about their disappointment of moving the posts, and eliminating the single point for kicking it out of the endzone. While most believe you shouldn’t be rewarded for a miss, they are worried their job will be less important.
“To kick a 55-yard field goal, you’re lining it up at the 32,” says Mustangs kicker Brian Garrity.
“It adds a bit of a challenge for the kickers, but it’s also a challenge that I’m kind of looking forward to. I think we’ll see a lot more long-range kicks and a lot more strategy.”
Snyder believes amateur football all the way down to the high school level could adopt some of the game-rule changes, but not alter the fields.
“I could see a situation where amateur football below the CFL says we’re going to continue playing status quo,” said Snyder.
“As guys move to the CFL, they’ll adapt to the new rules. I think there’s probably no issue with that. It saves a lot of people money and it becomes just a nuance of the CFL.”