CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston used his state of the league address to describe Quebec City as the leading contender for a potential 10th franchise while outlining new field and schedule guidelines for 2027.
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CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said Quebec City has emerged as the leading contender for the CFL’s 10th franchise during his second state of the league address as Grey Cup week continued in Calgary.
Johnston said the league has been in “very productive conversations with a local ownership group in Quebec City,” adding that he and the group have toured potential sites and discussed the project.
He declined to identify the head of the ownership group when asked. Johnston also said there are “still a lot of work to do” and that the CFL has not announced a 10th team or target dates.
Johnston described Quebec City as an “incredible market,” citing what he called a strong culture of football, positive population growth and a positive economic outlook. He also pointed to regional rivalry potential, saying a team in Quebec City could develop a matchup with the (Montreal) Alouettes.
On venues, Johnston said a new stadium would need to be built for a Quebec franchise, but he said the CFL is open to using university stadiums as temporary sites while a permanent facility is constructed. He said that, including Laval’s facility, university stadiums could be “an introductory option” rather than a permanent solution.
Johnston said the CFL has also continued discussions with other Canadian markets, and he indicated Halifax remains on the league’s radar. He cited the success of Touchdown Atlantic, saying the CFL’s interest in that region has “not waned simply because we’re discussing other markets.”
Johnston also outlined upcoming changes that will take effect in 2027, describing the Grey Cup on Sunday between the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks as the end of an era for the league’s field configuration.
He said the 2027 guidelines will reduce CFL fields to 100 yards between the goal lines with 15-yard end zones, and move the goalposts to the back of the reconfigured end zones. Johnston said he expects all nine clubs to have fields that meet the 2027 guidelines and said the league is in discussions with each club.
The commissioner said the 2027 regular season will open on the Victoria Day weekend. He also said that, compared with a schedule that began June 4 this year, rookie and training camps will begin in late April and the CFL draft will be held roughly two weeks earlier than normal.
Johnston said the Grey Cup will be played Nov. 7, the earliest in league history, in Regina, and that the path to the Grey Cup will be different because eight of the league’s nine teams will qualify for post-season play, rather than the six-team playoff format this year.
Addressing past fan criticism of the rule changes, Johnston said the goalposts are being moved back to allow for more touchdowns. He also said “90 per cent of feedback” he receives when recognized in public is enthusiastic and positive, and that the league is modernizing the game to help it grow into the future.
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