CFL to modify rouge, move goalposts in series of bold changes

CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston announced Monday a series of upcoming rule changes, including modifying the rouge and moving the goalposts to the back of the end zone.

Starting in 2026, a point for the rouge will no longer be awarded for missed field goals, punts, or kickoffs that go out of the end zone. Instead, a rouge will only be given if a ball carrier is tackled or concedes in the end zone. Johnston emphasized that the CFL made the change to discourage rewards for failure.

Other changes for 2026 include replacing the manual 20-second play clock with an automatic 35-second play clock and having team benches on the opposite side of the field in every stadium.

A major switch coming for 2027 will move the goalposts from near the goal line to the back of the end zone, and the end zones will decrease from 20 yards to 15 yards. The league is also reducing the field size to 100 yards from 110 yards, while the width of the field will remain the same.

Johnston noted that the changes to the location of the goal posts should result in a 10% bump in completed passes in the end zone and 60 more touchdowns per season.

"This is all about making our great game even more entertaining," Johnston said, according to TSN's Dave Naylor. "We are trading field goals for touchdowns, while improving fan experience in stadiums and at home."

Johnston added that the CFL's lead governors unanimously approved the changes.