U Sports engaging stakeholders to discuss ramifications of CFL rule, field changes

U Sports is aware of the changes the Canadian Football League announced to its rules and field dimensions on Monday, though it remains unclear how the organization will proceed.

“U Sports will begin engaging with our members and stakeholders over the following weeks and months to determine the ramifications for U Sports football, and the best course of action for U Sports,” read a statement released by the organization.

“Any proposed changes to football playing regulations will be considered by the Sport Technical Subcommittee for football and the U Sports Sport Committee in due course, following the usual procedures in place. U Sports remains committed to promoting and growing the game of Canadian amateur football across Canada.”

The CFL unveiled a number of changes that will be rolled out in 2026 and 2027, including the shortening of the field, a modification to the rouge, and the movement of the goalposts to the back of the end zone.

Four U Sports football venues are shared with CFL teams, including McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, and Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal. Once the league implements its new dimensions for 2027, these venues may need to host games with varying field sizes.

Wade Miller, the president and CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, told 3DownNation on Monday that Princess Auto Stadium, which houses the Blue Bombers and Manitoba Bisons, will be able to accomplish this with little issue. The venue already also hosts Valour FC of the CPL, which requires soccer dimensions.

In 2022, the CFL narrowed the width of its hashmarks and U Sports never adopted the rule change. It remains to be seen whether these latest changes will get a thumbs up or a thumbs down from U Sports.

Click here for a full breakdown of U Sports action from this past week.