CFL cancels 2020 season because of COVID-19

The CFL has cancelled its 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league announced the decision on Monday, after it couldn’t solve a number of issues to try to salvage a season.

The #CFL announces that there will not be a shortened season played this fall.

FULL STATEMENT | https://t.co/iq4JNXU20p pic.twitter.com/OE4R4AHZdQ

— CFL (@CFL) August 17, 2020

“Our league governors decided today it is in the best long-term interests of the CFL to concentrate on the future,” said Commissioner Randy Ambrosie in a statement.

“We are absolutely committed to 2021, to the future of our league and the pursuit of our vision of a bigger, stronger, more global CFL.”

The statement goes on to say the 2021 Grey Cup is still scheduled to be played in Hamilton.

In July, the league chose Winnipeg as a hub city for a shortened regular season with six games, followed by an eight-team playoffs.

But that was contingent on the league securing financial assistance from the federal government, sign off from public health officials and a collective bargaining agreement.

This means 2020 will be the first year the Grey Cup won’t be presented since 1919.