CFL releases new schedule for 2023 season

The CFL released its schedule for the 2023 season on Tuesday, but it’s slightly different.

For the first time since 2008, the division playoffs will be played on a Saturday, with the semifinals on Nov. 4 and the division finale on Nov. 11.

In addition, the league has reduced the number of home games teams can play in consecutive weeks and halved the number of back-to-back games against the same opponent.

The regular-season roster begins June 8 with the BC Lions taking on the Stampeders in Calgary on Thursday night.

The Gray Cup champions, the Toronto Gold Seekers, will fly the flag in their season opener against rival Hamilton Tigercats on June 18.

The Gray Cup finalists Winnipeg Blue Bombers start their season on June 9 with a home game against the Tigercats.

The upcoming season championship game will be held at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Stadium on November 19.

The first of nine preseason games kicks off on May 22 with the Edmonton Elks traveling to Calgary. That game will be the only one that week, with the other eight games to be played over the next two weeks.

The CFL will mark Canada’s 156th birthday by hosting Winnipeg with Montreal on Canada Day. Montreal also hosts the Ottawa Redblacks on Thanksgiving.

In Labor Day action, the Ticats host the Argos and the Elks host the Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium.