CFL reverting to 20-second play clock in last 3 minutes of halves

The Canadian Football League will keep its 20-second play clock this season after all.

CFL games will adopt a 35-second play clock in 2026 but return to a 20-second clock for the final three minutes of each half.

It's a move the league's board of governors approved following recommendations from the rules committee, which is made up of head coaches, team presidents, the Officials Association and the CFL Players' Association.

Over the final three minutes of each half, the 20-second clock will start on the snap of the first play following the three-minute warning.

In other adjustments, regular-season games will not end in a tie. If teams remain level following the second overtime mini-game, alternate two-point converts will be attempted from the three-yard line until a winner is determined. All attempts will come from the same end of the field as the mini game.

Each team can take a 15-second timeout in overtime.

Also, the replay centre will now automatically review a turnover on downs.

Other adjustments include:

The league also announced tweaks to how its replay centre operates. With the implementation of the 35-second play clock, on-field and replay officials have been directed to avoid slowing the game down unless a critical ruling is in question.

The league says the replay centre will continue supporting on-field officials during natural breaks in play, when the 20-second clock is in effect or in automatic review situations.

The CFL regular season kicks off June 4 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hosting the Montreal Alouettes.