American Football vs Canadian Football (CFL) — Same Game, Different Rules

The NFL operates one of the most comprehensive concussion protocols in professional sports. Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion is immediately removed from the game and evaluated by the team's medical staff in the sideline medical tent or locker room.

Independent spotter: The CFL employs independent medical spotters who can stop play to evaluate any player suspected of having a concussion; Removal requirement: Any player identified with concussion symptoms is immediately removed from the game; Return to play: A player diagnosed with a concussi...

Positioned at the center of the end line (back of the end zone) (Rule 1); Crossbar height: 10 feet (3.05 m) above the ground (Rule 1); Uprights: 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) apart, extending at least 30 feet above the crossbar (Rule 1)

Location: On the goal line, not at the back of the end zone. The NFL moved goal posts to the end line in 1974; the CFL kept them on the goal line.; Width: 18 feet 6 inches between the uprights — same as NFL; Crossbar height: 10 feet — same as NFL

Touchdown (6 points): Scored when a player carries the ball into or catches the ball in the opponent's end zone, or when a fumble is recovered in the opponent's end zone (Rule 11).; Extra Point / Point After Touchdown (1 point): After a touchdown, the scoring team may kick the ball through the up...

Touchdown: 6 points — same as NFL/NCAA; Convert (PAT): 1 point for a kick from the 32-yard line (NFL kicks from the 15-yard line, NCAA from the 3-yard line). The CFL's longer PAT distance makes it a more meaningful play.; Two-point conversion: 2 points, from the 3-yard line — same as NFL/NCAA

The official NFL football (the "Duke") is made of cowhide leather with a pebble-grain texture. It must conform to the following specifications: Long axis: 11 to 11.25 inches (28–28.6 cm) (Rule 2); Short circumference: 21 to 21.25 inches (53.3–54 cm) (Rule 2); Long circumference: 28 to 28.5 inches...

The CFL ball is slightly different from the NFL ball: Size: Slightly larger circumference than the NFL ball — the CFL ball has a slightly more pronounced pointed shape; White stripes: Like the NCAA ball, the CFL ball features white stripes on each end for visibility, especially at night games. Th...

The NFL playing field is a rectangle with the following dimensions: Overall length: 120 yards (109.7 m) — 100-yard playing field plus two 10-yard end zones (Rule 1); Width: 53 1/3 yards (48.8 m) (Rule 1); Surface: Natural grass or approved artificial turf (the NFL has encouraged a transition towa...

The CFL field is the largest playing surface in professional gridiron football: Length: 110 yards (100.58 meters) between goal lines — 10 yards longer than NFL/NCAA; Width: 65 yards (59.44 meters) — nearly 12 yards wider than NFL/NCAA's 53⅓ yards; End zones: 20 yards deep — TWICE as deep as NFL/N...

The offensive team has four downs (plays) to advance the ball at least 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage. Successfully gaining 10 or more yards results in a new first down.

The CFL's Board of Governors approved a change to the play-clock structure on May 12, 2026, following recommendations from the Rules Committee (head coaches, team presidents, the Canadian Professional Football Officials Association, and the CFL Pl...

Teams are ranked by win-loss-tie record. The following tiebreakers are applied in order: head-to-head record, division record, record against common opponents, conference record, strength of victory, strength of schedule, combined ranking in confe...

The rouge or single point remains one of the most distinctive scoring plays in Canadian football, but the 2026 CFL Official Playing Rules narrow when it can be awarded. Under Rule 4, Section 2, Art...

The NFL operates one of the most comprehensive concussion protocols in professional sports. Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion is immediately removed from the game and evaluated by the team's medical staff in the sideline medical tent or locker room.

The CFL season extends into late November, when Canadian weather conditions can be extreme: Independent spotter: The CFL employs independent medical spotters who can stop play to evaluate any player suspected of having a concussion; Removal requirement: Any player identified with concussion sympt...

The official NFL football (the "Duke") is made of cowhide leather with a pebble-grain texture. It must conform to the following specifications: Long axis: 11 to 11.25 inches (28–28.6 cm) (Rule 2); Short circumference: 21 to 21.25 inches (53.3–54 cm) (Rule 2); Long circumference: 28 to 28.5 inches...

The CFL ball is slightly different from the NFL ball: Size: Slightly larger circumference than the NFL ball — the CFL ball has a slightly more pronounced pointed shape; White stripes: Like the NCAA ball, the CFL ball features white stripes on each end for visibility, especially at night games. Th...