CFL pushes back start of 2021 season to Aug. 5

The CFL is starting its season two months later than planned because of COVID-19.

The league announced Wednesday it plans to kick off the 2021 season on Aug. 5 with fewer games played.

BREAKING: The CFL regular season has a revised target start date of August 5th and the #GreyCup has been re-scheduled to December 12th in Hamilton, Ontario

— CFL (@CFL) April 21, 2021

The CFL campaign was slated to open June 10 with each team playing a full 18-game regular season after the league cancelled the ’20 season due to the pandemic.

Training camps were to open in mid-May with the first exhibition contest slated for May 23.

But with Canada dealing with a third wave, the CFL board of governors decided Tuesday to push back the start of the 2021 season and reduce the schedule to 14 games.

The Grey Cup game will be played on Dec. 12 in Hamilton instead of Nov. 21.

A statement from @CaretakerBob regarding today’s exciting announcement!

Plus, read Commissioner @RandyAmbrosie‘s statement on the @CFL‘s return-to-play 👇

🗞 | https://t.co/RFLYb112PC pic.twitter.com/MrcVJYqaMz

— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) April 21, 2021