Key Points:
- CFL Draft Scheduled: The highly anticipated 2024 CFL Draft and Global Draft are set for April 30.
- Season Opener Set: The 2024 regular season commences on June 6 with a Grey Cup rematch, Montreal Alouettes vs. Winnipeg.
- Comprehensive Offseason Schedule: Detailed timeline of Free Agency, Combines, Drafts, and preseason games leading to the season opener.
2024 CFL Offseason Begins with Free Agency Window
The Canadian Football League’s 2024 offseason is set to begin with the Free Agency Communication Window from February 4-11. During this period, teams can engage in discussions with pending free agents or their CFLPA-registered agents. This leads up to the official opening of Free Agency on February 13, a critical time for teams to build their rosters.
Talent Showcase at CFL Invitational Combine
The CFL Invitational Combine presented by New Era, scheduled for March 8 at the University of Waterloo’s Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, promises to be a display of Canada’s finest football talent. Invited players will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities to CFL clubs, highlighting the depth of Canadian football talent.
Shaping the Future: CFL Combine and Draft
The CFL Combine in Winnipeg from March 19-24 offers an extensive evaluation of players, including medical assessments, traditional testing, and skill drills. This precedes the pivotal CFL Draft and Global Draft on April 30, where teams will select top prospects, significantly shaping their future rosters.
Preseason Preparations and 2024 Season Kickoff
Following rookie camps, roster reductions, and training camps, the preseason games commence on May 20. These lead up to the 2024 season opener on June 6, where the Montreal Alouettes begin their title defense in a Grey Cup rematch against Winnipeg.
This press release, issued today by the CFL, provides a comprehensive overview of the crucial offseason dates, setting the stage for the upcoming season of Canadian football.
2024 OFFSEASON KEY DATES
February 4-11 – Free Agency Communication Window open
- From noon ET on February 4 until noon on February 11, teams will be able to openly speak with pending free agents or their CFLPA-registered designates.
February 13 – Free Agency opens
- At noon ET, free agents will be able to officially sign with CFL clubs.
March 8 – CFL Invitational Combine presented by New Era
- The University of Waterloo’s Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House will host invited players from across Canada in a showcase of the country’s football talent.
March 19-24 – CFL Combine presented by New Era
- The five-day feature of Canada’s football phenoms will take place in Winnipeg with medical testing and measurements, traditional on- and off-field testing, individual drills and one-on-ones.
April 30 – 2024 CFL Draft and CFL Global Draft
May 8 – Rookie Camps open
- First-year players will take the field with their new clubs.
May 11 – Rosters reduced to 85 players
- Cutdowns will take place by 11:59 p.m. ET, excluding non-counters.
May 12 – Training camps open
- The official opening of camp for all nine clubs.
May 14 – Rosters reduced to 75 players
- Cutdowns will take place by 11:59 p.m. ET, excluding non-counters.
Preseason Week 1
- Monday, May 20 | WPG at SSK | 4 p.m. ET
Preseason Week 2
- Saturday, May 25 | OTT at HAM | 2 p.m. ET
- Saturday, May 25 | BC at CGY | 4 p.m. ET
- Saturday, May 25 | SSK at EDM | 4 p.m. ET
- Saturday, May 25 | TOR at MTL | 7:30 p.m. ET
Preseason Week 3
- Friday, May 31 | MTL at OTT | 7:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, May 31 | CGY at WPG | 8:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, May 31 | EDM at BC | 10 p.m. ET
- Saturday, June 1 | HAM at TOR | 2 p.m. ET
June 1 – End of Training Camp
- Camps will officially conclude ahead of the upcoming season.
June 6 – 2024 Season Kickoff
- MTL at WPG | 8:30 p.m. ET
