CFL changes will have 'ripple effect' on university football says OUA president

USPORTS says they will be engaging with their members on these rule and structural changes.

Those in charge of Canadian university football will be going over the structural and rule changes being made at the Canadian Football League with a fine-tooth comb.

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston announced at a news conference on Monday that several changes will take effect at the start of the 2027 season.

Among them are the shortening of the playing field from 110 yards to 100, end zones to be shortened from 20 yards to 15, and goal posts to be moved from the goal line to the back of the end zone.

USPORTS issued a statement immediately following the announcement saying they will be engaging with their members and stakeholders about these changes and whether to adopt them in university football.

President of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Gord Grace tells KingstonDaily.ca they will be discussing these changes in the coming months.

Grace says shortening the regulation length of the field was something that really caught his eye.

Grace says the changes could be difficult on university football conferences in Canada.

In addition to the structural changes, the CFL is also changing how a 'rouge' is scored. A rouge is one point that is awarded to a team that kicks or punts the ball and lands out of the end zone or lands in the end zone and is not returned.

Starting in 2027, that one point will be only awarded when a kicked or punted ball lands in the end zone and not returned.

Grace says he understands why Johnston and the CFL's Board of Governors are making these changes.

Football fans across Canada have been divided over the announced changes in the CFL with many believing it will mirror closely with American football.

Story by Ken Hashizume