PLAYOFFS
Playoffs Format (2027–Present)
Beginning in 2027, the CFL Playoffs expand to eight teams. The top two teams in each division automatically qualify, while the remaining teams are seeded by overall record.
- Top 2 in each division — Advance to Division Showdowns
- Seeds 5–8 — Play-In teams (seeded by overall record)
- Seed 9 — Eliminated
The playoffs now include three rounds before the Grey Cup:
Round 1 — Division Showdowns & Play-In Games
- Division Showdowns: 1st vs 2nd in each division (winners advance directly to the Semi-Finals)
- Play-In Games: 5 vs 8, and 6 vs 7 (winners advance to Round 2)
Round 2 — Elimination Games
- Division Showdown losers each host a Play-In winner
- Matchups based on overall record
Round 3 — Grey Cup Semi-Finals
- Division Showdown winners host
- Opponents are the Round 2 winners, seeded by overall record
Grey Cup
- Winners of the Semi-Finals meet in the championship
This format allows for same-division Grey Cup matchups for the first time in CFL history.
PLAYOFFs ROUNDS (2027-)
| SEASON | ROUND | WINNER | SCORE | LOSER | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Division Showdowns | ||||
| Play-In Games | |||||
| ELIMINATION GAMES | |||||
| SEMI-FINALS | |||||
The championship game to determine the CFL champion.
Playoff Format (up to 2026 season)
The CFL Playoffs feature six teams: the top three teams from each division based on regular season standings. Teams are seeded 1–3 within their division.
All playoff pages use '@' to indicate away games and 'VS' for home games.
- 1 seeds — Division Winners (receive a bye to the Division Final)
- 2 & 3 seeds — Division Semi-Finalists
The playoffs consist of three rounds:
Division Semi-Finals
- 2 seed vs 3 seed (hosted by the 2 seed)
Division Finals
- 1 seed hosts the winner of the Division Semi-Final
Grey Cup
- East Division Champion vs West Division Champion
The winners of each Division Final advance to the Grey Cup.
PLAYOFF ROUNDS (up to 2026 Season)
Division Champions plus #2-3 seeds per division, with a fourth team with a better record from another division 'crossing-over' to replace the 3rd place team.
The championship game to determine the CFL champion.
CFL Crossover Rule
The CFL uses a unique Crossover Rule to ensure the six best teams qualify for the playoffs, regardless of division imbalance.
If the 4th‑place team in one division finishes the regular season with a better record than the 3rd‑place team in the opposite division, the 4th‑place team “crosses over” and takes that playoff spot.
Key points:
- The crossover team moves into the other division’s playoff bracket.
- They become the 3rd seed in that division.
- They must play all playoff games on the road.
- A team cannot cross over unless it has a strictly better record (ties do not qualify).
- Only one team can cross over per season.
The rule exists to prevent a weaker 3rd‑place team from qualifying ahead of a stronger 4th‑place team in the opposite division, ensuring competitive balance.
CFL IN THE USA PLAYOFFS (1995)
North Division Playoffs
| SEASON | DATE | WINNER | SCORE | LOSER | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | DIVISION SEMI-FINAL NOVEMBER 5 |
 BC LIONS |
15 @ 26 |  EDMONTON ESKIMOS |
 Commonwealth Stadium EDMONTON,AB |
 HAMILTON TIGER-CATS |
13 @ 30 |  CALGARY STAMPEDERS |
 McMahon Stadium CALGARY,AB |
||
| DIVISION FINAL NOVEMBER 12 |
EDMONTON ESKIMOS |
4 @ 37 | CALGARY STAMPEDERS |
McMahon Stadium CALGARY,AB |
South Division Playoffs
| SEASON | DATE | WINNER | SCORE | LOSER | STADIUM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | DIVISION SEMI-FINAL NOVEMBER 5 |
 Birmingham Barracudas |
9 @ 52 |  San Antonio Texans |
 ALAMODOME SAN ANTONIO,TX |
 Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
21 @ 36 |  Baltimore Stallions |
 MEMORIAL STADIUM BALTIMORE,MD |
||
| DIVISION FINAL NOVEMBER 12 |
San Antonio Texans |
11 @ 21 | Baltimore Stallions |
MEMORIAL STADIUM BALTIMORE,MD |