After a year completely scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CFL announced Wednesday it plans to have a 2021 football season.
Commissioner Randy Amrbosie said via a release the league will kick off its regular season Aug. 5.
This is the second news the CFL has made in recent weeks. The league was recently topic of a report that suggested it could form some sort of partnership with the third-time fledgling XFL in the future.
As part of the new schedule, the Grey Cup will be played Dec.12 in Hamilton, Ont.
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D17OMPxWWi8
“We will play CFL football in 2021.
“Our revised target date to start our regular season is August 5. To facilitate a 14-game season, for our players, fans and partners, we are re-scheduling the Grey Cup to December 12 in Hamilton, Ontario.“I say ‘target date’ because our plans are subject to the state of COVID-19 across the country. A so-called ‘third wave’ in some provinces is forcing us today to postpone the start of our regular season, which had been scheduled for June 10.
“So, what must be in place for us to kick off on August 5? Two things. 1. The approval of public health officials across the country of our plans for protecting the health of our players, coaches, and ultimately our fans, so a 2021 season is safe. 2. Permission from governments to host a significant number of fans in the stands, in a significant number of venues at the start of the season, and in the rest of our venues soon after that, so a 2021 season is financially tenable for our clubs.”