Playoff raceUpdated 10 minutes ago

CFL Playoff Picture 2026

Clinch watch, magic numbers, crossover and the race for byes.

The 2026 CFL playoff picture tracks all nine teams against the six available spots. So far 1 team has clinched and 0 have been eliminated, with the rest still in the hunt. Magic numbers below show the points a team needs to lock up a spot regardless of other results.

The crossover is on: Calgary Stampeders (4th in the West) have 6 more points than Hamilton Tiger-Cats and would take the third East spot. Division races are decided on points (two for a win, one for a tie), then wins, head-to-head record and net points.

Division races

West Division race

Edmonton Elks logo1Elks
2211-4 · 3 left
Magic 1
BC Lions logo2Lions
168-6 · 4 left
Magic 7
Saskatchewan Roughriders logo3Roughriders
168-6 · 4 left
Magic 7
playoff line
Calgary Stampeders logo4Stampeders
147-8 · 3 left
In the hunt
Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo5Blue Bombers
147-7 · 4 left
In the hunt

East Division race

Montreal Alouettes logo1Alouettes
2211-3 · 4 left
Clinched
Toronto Argonauts logo2Argonauts
189-6 · 3 left
Magic 4
Hamilton Tiger-Cats logo3Tiger-Cats
84-11 · 3 left
In the hunt
playoff line
Ottawa Redblacks logo4Redblacks
00-14 · 4 left
In the hunt

Crossover watch

The crossover is on: Calgary Stampeders (4th in the West) have 6 more points than Hamilton Tiger-Cats and would take the third East spot.

Calgary Stampeders logo
4th WestStampeders14 pts · 7-8 · max 20
vs
Hamilton Tiger-Cats logo
3rd EastTiger-Cats8 pts · 4-11 · max 14
Ottawa Redblacks logo
4th EastRedblacks0 pts · 0-14 · max 8
vs
Saskatchewan Roughriders logo
3rd WestRoughriders16 pts · 8-6 · max 24

Clinch watch

West Division

East Division

Projected bracket

West Division
Semi-Final
BC Lions logo
Lions2 seed · hosts
Saskatchewan Roughriders logo
Roughriders3 seed
Oct 31
Division Final 1st place bye
Edmonton Elks logo
Elks1 seed · hosts
TBDSemi-Final winner
Nov 7
East Division
Semi-Final
Toronto Argonauts logo
Argonauts2 seed · hosts
Calgary Stampeders logo
Stampeders3 seed · crossover
Oct 31
Division Final 1st place bye
Montreal Alouettes logo
Alouettes1 seed · hosts
TBDSemi-Final winner
Nov 7
113th Grey Cup
TBDWest champion
vs
TBDEast champion
Nov 15 · McMahon Stadium

Projected from the current standings. Dashed cards change after every game until the field is set.

Explore the playoffs

BracketSeeds, matchups and the road to the Grey Cup.Playoff predictorPick every game and crown your champion.Schedule & scoresDates, kickoff times, TV and results.StandingsPoints, records and form by division.TeamsEvery club's outlook and history.113th Grey CupDate, venue, TV and past champions.Playoff formatByes, hosting and the crossover rule.How to watchChannels and streams by region.

Playoff picture questions

What does a magic number mean?

The points a team must still earn to lock up the target (a playoff spot or first place) no matter what other teams do. Two points per win, one per tie.

How is the crossover decided?

After the regular season, if the fourth-place team in one division has more points than the third-place team in the other, it crosses over and takes that spot. A tie in points keeps the team in its own division.

What are the CFL tiebreakers?

Points, then wins, then head-to-head wins, head-to-head net points, net points for the season and finally total points scored.

What do x, z and e mean next to a team?

x marks a clinched playoff spot, z a clinched first place with a bye to the Division Final, and e a team eliminated from contention.

Can a 9-9 team make the playoffs?

Yes. With six of nine teams qualifying, a .500 record is often enough for the third seed, and a crossover spot can go to a team with a losing record if the other division is weak.

When is the playoff picture final?

After the last regular-season game on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Seeds and matchups are then locked for the Semi-Finals on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

The CFL playoff picture 2026 changes with every result. Clinch tags, magic numbers and the crossover watch are recalculated the moment a game ends.

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