How Long is a CFL Game? Game Length, Halftime and Overtime (2026)
How long is a CFL game? A Canadian Football League game usually lasts just under three hours from kickoff to the final whistle, and a TV broadcast runs about three hours.
The game clock itself only counts 60 minutes, so the rest of the time comes from clock stoppages, halftime, reviews and commercial breaks. This guide explains each piece using the 2026 rules.
CFL Game Length at a Glance
| Part of the game | Length |
|---|---|
| Game clock | 60 minutes: four 15 minute quarters |
| Halftime | 14 minutes by rule, closer to 17 minutes in practice |
| Kickoff to final whistle | Usually 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours |
| TV broadcast window | About 3 hours |
| Overtime | Adds roughly 10 to 20 minutes |
How a CFL Game is Structured
A CFL game is 60 minutes of playing time, split into four 15 minute quarters. Teams switch ends after the first and third quarters. The second half kicks off 14 minutes after the first half ends, a rule that has been in place since 1988, although the real break from the end of the first half to the second half kickoff tends to run a few minutes longer.
The clock stops often: after incomplete passes, when a player goes out of bounds, after scores, for penalties and for reviews. Those stoppages are why 60 minutes of football fills close to three hours of real time.
The Play Clock and the Three-Minute Warning
New for 2026, the CFL uses a 35 second play clock that starts automatically when the previous play is whistled dead. It replaced the old 20 second clock that only started once an official whistled the ball in, and the league made the change partly to keep games moving.
Each half has a three-minute warning. After it, the 20 second clock returns, and timing rules tighten. The last three minutes of a half often take much longer than three real minutes, because the clock stops more often and teams use their timeouts and challenges.
Timeouts, Challenges and Video Reviews
Each CFL team gets two timeouts per game, which it can use at any point in regulation time. Coaches can also challenge certain calls. A team starts with one challenge and earns a second if the first one succeeds. A failed challenge costs the team a timeout, so a team must have a timeout left to challenge a play.
The league’s Command Centre also reviews some plays automatically, and from 2026 every turnover on downs gets an automatic review. Each review adds a short pause to the game.
How Long is CFL Overtime?
CFL overtime does not use extra timed periods. If a game is tied after 60 minutes, the teams play short rounds, often called mini-games. In each round, both teams get one possession starting from the opponent’s 35 yard line.
Starting in 2026, if the score is still level after two rounds, the teams take turns attempting two-point conversions from the three yard line until one team wins. That means regular season games can no longer end in a tie. Playoff games are always played until there is a winner.
The new format produced some long nights in 2026. Winnipeg beat Ottawa 36-34 in four overtimes on July 19, and Edmonton edged Hamilton 37-35 in three overtimes on September 26. See every result on our CFL scores page.
Commercial Breaks and Broadcast Length
TV breaks usually come after scores, at the end of quarters, during timeouts and around reviews. If you are planning your evening, allow about three hours for a regular season game and a little longer for playoff games and the Grey Cup, which have extra pregame and halftime coverage. Find out where each game airs in our CFL live stream guide, and check kickoff times on the CFL schedule.
CFL Game Length FAQ
How long is a CFL game?
Most CFL games take just under three hours from kickoff to the final whistle, and a TV broadcast lasts about three hours. The game clock itself is 60 minutes.
How long are the quarters in a CFL game?
Each of the four quarters is 15 minutes of game clock time, for 60 minutes in total.
How long is halftime in the CFL?
The rule book sets halftime at 14 minutes. In practice the gap from the end of the first half to the second half kickoff is often around 17 minutes. Grey Cup halftime is longer because of the halftime show.
How many timeouts does each CFL team get?
Each team has two timeouts per game. A failed coach’s challenge costs one of them.
Can a CFL game end in a tie?
Not anymore. From the 2026 season, if a regular season game is still tied after two overtime rounds, teams alternate two-point conversion attempts until there is a winner. Playoff games always continue until there is a winner.
How does CFL overtime work?
Each team gets one possession from the opponent’s 35 yard line per round. If the game is still tied after two rounds, teams alternate two-point attempts from the three yard line until one team wins.
Is a CFL game longer than an NFL game?
They are close. Both leagues play 60 minutes of game time, and both games usually fill about three hours of real time once stoppages, halftime and commercials are included.
So, how long is a CFL game? Plan for about three hours. The clock runs for 60 minutes, halftime adds around a quarter of an hour, and stoppages, reviews and TV breaks fill the rest. With the 2026 overtime rules, a tied game now always produces a winner, which can add a little extra time on a close night.
Last updated: October 24, 2026