Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Common Penalties
- Offside: 5 yards — same as NFL
- Procedure (false start): 5 yards — same as NFL
- Holding (offensive): 10 yards — same as NFL
- Pass interference (defensive): Spot foul — same as NFL (unlike NCAA's 15-yard maximum)
- Pass interference (offensive): 15 yards — same as NFL
- Rough play: 25 yards — CFL uses a 25-yard penalty for roughing the passer and other rough play infractions. NFL uses 15 yards.
- No yards: 15 yards if the ball is caught within the 5-yard zone; 5 yards if the ball is not caught. This penalty has no NFL equivalent since the NFL uses the fair catch.
- Time count violation: Under Rule 1, Section 7, Article 5 (Time Count Foul), Team A must put the ball in play before the play clock expires; the penalty is 5 yards, assessed against whichever play clock — 35 or 20 seconds — is in effect at the time.
- Too many players on the field: 10 yards — both teams must have exactly 12 players. This is called more frequently in the CFL because the extra player creates more opportunities for confusion.
- Illegal contact: 10 yards. Defenders cannot contact receivers beyond 5 yards from the line of scrimmage — same as NFL.
Ineligible Receiver & Eligible-Number Designation (New for 2026)
The May 12, 2026 Board of Governors rule changes also adjusted the CFL's ineligible-player rules, under Rule 4, Section 5, Article 3 (Exceptions to the Numbering Requirements) and Rule 6, Section 4, Article 4 (Eligibility of Receiver) of the 2026 CFL Official Playing Rules.
- Numbering: Per Rule 6, Section 4, Article 4, Team A players are identified by playing number — eligible receivers wear numbers 0-49 and 70-99, while ineligible receivers wear numbers 50-69. If the ball is touched by any eligible player, all players of both teams become eligible receivers.
- Three eligible-designated players: Rule 4, Section 5, Article 3 now permits a maximum of three players wearing an ineligible number (50-69) to line up in an eligible position — as an end or in the backfield — after reporting to the Referee before each scrimmage play in which that player wishes to occupy an eligible position, an increase from the previous limit. The Referee informs the opposing team and all officials of the player's number and position; any listed player who enters or remains in the game without reporting must take a position on the line of scrimmage and remains ineligible to catch a pass.
- New penalty outcome: Under Rule 6, Section 4, Article 4, when an ineligible receiver is the first Team A player to catch or deliberately touch a forward pass, the penalty is now 10 yards or an incomplete pass — giving the defense the option to decline the yardage and treat the pass as incomplete instead.
Objectionable Conduct
- Penalty: 25 yards — CFL uses a 25-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and objectionable behavior, harsher than the NFL's 15 yards
- Taunting: 15 yards + possible ejection
- Disqualification: 2 objectionable conduct penalties = ejection from the game
Coach's Challenge
- Each team receives 1 challenge per game
- If the challenge is successful, the team retains its challenge (similar to NFL's system)
- In the last 3 minutes of each half, all reviews are initiated by the Command Centre (Replay Centre), and Rule 10, Section 2, Article 2 (Automatic Review Triggers) added turnovers on downs, new for 2026, to the list of plays automatically reviewed