Frequently Asked Questions
Schedules
- When is the CFL schedule released? When does the CFL schedule come out?
- Where can I get a CFL or team schedule? Is the CFL schedule available in iCal or Google Calendar format?
- Which CFL games are televised? Where can I get a television schedule for my team? Are CFL pre-season games televised?
- What CFL games are on ESPN3? How do I watch the CFL on ESPN3?
- What is the blackout policy of the CFL? What CFL games are blacked out? Can I get my team's blackout schedule for the season?
- How many games in the CFL season? How long is the CFL season? How many games does a CFL team play in the regular season? When did the amount of CFL regular season games increase? When did full interlocking play begin?
Players
- Who is the best player in the CFL? Who is the best player at position x in the CFL? Who is the best DB (Defensive Back) in the CFL?
- Where is [former player x] now? How can I contact [current player y]? How do I contact CFL Alumni?
- How many days per week do players/teams practice? How many hours per day do players practice? How many hours per day do players spend in meetings?
- What is the definition of a veteran in the CFL? Who qualifies as a rookie in the CFL? How does experience in other leagues affect a player's rookie/veteran status?
- How much is a CFL pension? When does a CFL player qualify for a pension? How many games does a CFL player have to play before receiving a pension? How do I find out if I have CFL pension money owing to me?
Teams
- What is the origin of CFL team names? What is an Alouette, Stampeder, Roughrider, or Blue Bomber, etc.?
- How many teams are in the CFL? How many and what were the US based teams in the CFL? What are the US cities linked to potential CFL franchises? How many teams have participated in the CFL?
- What is the CFL expansion draft format? What have been the rules for CFL expansion drafts?
- When did the CFL have an equalization draft? How did the CFL equalization draft work?
- How do CFL teams travel? Do CFL teams travel by air or other means? Do any CFL teams own their own private jets? What is a CFL franchise's travel costs for a season?
Rosters
- Where can I get CFL rosters, injured lists, reserve lists and practice rosters?
- What is a CFL team's neg list or negotiation list? How does the neg list work in the CFL? Where can I get a CFL team's negotiation list?
- How does the Canadian Amateur draft work? Who is eligible for the Canadian Draft? What is the CFL Supplemental Draft? How do I become eligible for the CFL amateur draft?
- What is a practice roster? What did the CFL practice roster replace? How large are CFL practice rosters? When do CFL practice rosters expand? What are the rules around claiming a player off another team's practice roster?
- What is the CFL's designated import rule? When did the CFL first restrict the number of imports on a team? How has the designated import rule changed?
- How many players are on the field in the CFL? How big are the rosters in the CFL? How many players are in the CFL? How many Canadian players dress for a CFL game? How many Canadian players in the CFL? What is the training camp roster size in the CFL?
- What are the rules for CFL off-season workouts? Are CFL off-season workouts mandatory?
Compensation
- What is the average salary of a CFL player? How much are CFL players paid during training camp? What is the salary of [player x]? What are the average salaries of CFL players by position?
- How much is the CFL salary cap? What is the CFL Salary Management System (SMS)? What is included in the CFL salary cap calculations?
- How much is a CFL practice roster player paid? What is the salary of a CFL practice roster player? Are CFL practice roster salaries included in the salary cap? Are CFL active or practice roster players provided a housing allowance or housing by their clubs?
- How long is a CFL contract? What is the minimum player contract length in the CFL?
- What is the playoff compensation for CFL games? How much are CFL players paid for playoff games? What is the history of CFL playoff compensation?
- What is the CFL players daily per diem? What is the travel allowance for a CFL player?
- What is the salary of a CFL head coach? What is the salary of a CFL assistant coach?
- What is a CFL referee salary? How much are CFL on-field officials paid? How many games does a CFL official work per year?
- What are the restrictions on releasing a veteran player? What are the rules affecting the release of a veteran player in the CFL? Are CFL contracts guaranteed?
- Are player moving expenses paid by teams in the CFL? Do CFL teams pay player moving expenses to relocate to Canada?
- Can you provide advice on this contract or situation? The team is saying this, is that true? Is this contract the team wants me to sign fair? Can you help with my situation?
Game Rules and Regulations
- Why did the CFL change the rules of football? Why are Canadian football rules different?
- What are the dimensions of the CFL field? When were the end zones reduced in the CFL? Where are the goal posts placed in the CFL? When did the CFL adopt goose-necked or single-shaft wishbone goal posts?
- How long is a CFL game? How many quarters are in a CFL game? What are the "long quarters" in the CFL? How long is a CFL halftime or quarter break?
- How much time is between plays in the CFL? How long is the CFL play clock? How many plays are executed in a CFL game? What is the amount of clock time spent on plays in the CFL? How many of minutes of actual playing time are there in a CFL game?
- How many team time outs in a CFL game? Who can request a team time out in the CFL? How long are time outs in the CFL? How many time outs does a CFL team receive in overtime?
- What is the overtime format in the CFL? How many points in the standings are awarded for overtime games?
- What are the rules for Instant Replay in the CFL? How many challenges do CFL teams get in a game? Where can I get the instant replay rulings from the CFL? What are the rules surrounding showing in-stadium replays while plays are under review?
- How many officials are on the field in a CFL game? How many sideline officials are required for a CFL game?
- Who is allowed on the sidelines of CFL games? Are coaches allowed on the field of CFL games? What is the penalty for a bench player interfering with play?
- What are the maximum fines and suspensions for players available to the league and member clubs? Can teams fine their players for taking penalties?
- Why do teams decline penalties? How can a team decline a penalty?
League
- What are waivers? What is the waiver priority order? How is the waiver priority order determined? How long is the waiver period? Why do teams put players on waivers?
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How do the CFL playoffs work? How many teams qualify for the CFL playoffs? How is the location/host city of the Grey Cup determined? How does the crossover rule work? What have been the CFL crossover teams?
- What were the CFL historical playoff formats? When did the CFL have two-game, total point series in the playoffs? When did the CFL use best-of-three playoff series?
- How do I become a CFL official? What are the qualifications of CFL official? How are CFL officials trained?
- Where can I find contact info for CFL executives? Where can I get a CFL employee's email address? How can I contact the CFL?
- How much does it cost to purchase the rights for a CFL playoff or Grey Cup game? Who holds the rights to CFL playoff games? Who pays for the CFL playoff share and travel expenses?
- What is the CFL record for number of overtime games in a regular season? In the post-season or playoffs? How many overtime games were there in [year]?
- What is the CFL drug policy? Where can I find a list of banned substances tested for in the CFL?
- How do I become a player agent able to represent CFL players? What is required to represent and financially advise CFL players? How do I find a CFL player agent? Where can I get a list of registered CFLPA player agents and financial advisors? What are the player agent fees in the CFL?
Equipment
- What is the size of a CFL football? Who makes the CFL football? Is the CFL football larger? When did the CFL change the size of their football? When did the CFL switch the manufacturer of their football?
- How tall can a CFL kicking tee be? What are the rules applying to kicking tees? Does the CFL require place kickers use a kicking tee?
- How many footballs are used in a CFL game? Does the CFL use K-balls? Do CFL players have to pay for footballs thrown, kicked or otherwise removed from the field of play? Do CFL players pay for footballs they keep or throw in celebration?
Fans
- Are CFL games suspended or cancelled for bad weather? Does the CFL play in rain, snow, thunderstorms, or other weather events? What can cancel or postpone a CFL game?
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What items are banned or prohibited from CFL games? Can I take a camera, cooler, umbrella to a CFL game? Can I smoke in the stands at a CFL game?
cfldb
- Why a Canadian Football League database? Why cfldb and not a Canadian football database, encompassing all Canadian football instead of just the professional league?
- Where is all the historical CFL information? Where can I find historical CFL statistics on cfldb?
- Isn't cfldb just repeating data found elsewhere? Can't this information be found on Wikipedia, The Pro Football Archive or other sites or publications? Why not contribute to those or other projects rather than start your own? Doesn't the Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia make your site obsolete?
- Where are the community features of the site? Why don't you add some social features to cfldb? Why is there no cfldb forum?
- Where can I find galleries of old CFL uniforms and logos? Why doesn't cfldb have any images of player uniforms and team logos?
Submit a Question
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