CFL Tiebreakers Explained
The CFL ranks teams by points, two for a win and one for a tie. When teams are level the league works through a short list, starting with wins and the games between the tied teams, and stops at the first step that separates them. This page explains each step, shows which 2026 races are tied today and how they break, and lets you compare any two teams.
Current Ties in the 2026 Standings
Teams in the same division with identical records, and the step that separates them right now. Playoff seeding uses these exact comparisons.
BC LionsWest Division · West Division No. 3
Winnipeg Blue BombersWest Division · West Division No. 4
| Step | BC | Winnipeg |
|---|---|---|
| PointsTwo for a win, one for a tie. | 14 | 14 |
| Wins | 7 | 7 |
| Head-to-head winsRecord in games between the two teams. | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Head-to-head net points | +16 | -16 |
| Net points (all games) | +40 | -7 |
| Points scored | 397 | 345 |
BC Lions ranks ahead on head-to-head wins.
Tiebreaker Checker
Pick any two CFL teams. The checker walks the official order using this season’s results and stops at the first step that separates them.
The Official Tiebreaker Order
Two teams tied on record for any seed.
- 1
Points
Two for a win, one for a tie. This is the standings order itself; the steps below break ties on points.
Example Blue Bombers 24 pts, Lions 24 pts: go to the next step.
- 2
Wins
A 12-6-0 team ranks above an 11-5-2 team on the same 24 points.
- 3
Head-to-head wins
Wins in games between the tied teams. Division rivals meet two or three times a season.
Example Split the season series 1-1 and this step is skipped.
- 4
Head-to-head net points
Points scored minus allowed in the games between the tied teams.
Example Win 30-20 and lose 24-21: +7 overall.
- 5
Net points in all games
Season point differential.
- 6
Points scored
Total points for the season. The official list continues with net offensive touchdowns and points against if still level.
Three or more teams tied on record. Once one team is separated, the remaining teams restart from the two-team list.
- 1
Points, then wins
Same first two steps for any number of tied teams.
- 2
Combined head-to-head wins
Wins in all games among the tied teams. If one team is separated, the remaining teams restart from the two-team list.
- 3
Combined head-to-head net points
Point differential in games among the tied teams.
- 4
Net points in all games
Season point differential.
- 5
Points scored
Total points for the season.
Division Record and Net Points
Net points is the step that decides most CFL ties once head-to-head is split. Tap a heading to sort.
| # | Team | Record | Div | Div | Net pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Edmonton ElksEDMWest Division |
10-3 | 6-2 | 6-2 | +91 |
| 2 |  Montreal AlouettesMONEast Division |
10-3 | 6-0 | 6-0 | +76 |
| 3 |  Saskatchewan RoughridersSASWest Division |
8-5 | 4-3 | 4-3 | +35 |
| 4 | BC LionsBCLWest Division |
7-6 | 4-3 | 4-3 | +40 |
| 5 |  Toronto ArgonautsTOREast Division |
7-6 | 4-2 | 4-2 | +7 |
| 6 | Winnipeg Blue BombersWINWest Division |
7-6 | 2-5 | 2-5 | -7 |
| 7 |  Calgary StampedersCALWest Division |
5-8 | 2-5 | 2-5 | +9 |
| 8 |  Hamilton Tiger-CatsHAMEast Division |
4-9 | 1-4 | 1-4 | -82 |
| 9 |  Ottawa RedblacksOTTEast Division |
0-12 | 0-5 | 0-5 | -169 |
Div = record against division rivals. Net pts = points scored minus allowed, the step after head-to-head.
Why the Tiebreakers Matter
The top team in each division skips the Division Semi-Final and hosts the Division Final. In an 18-game season one tiebreaker can be the difference between a week off and a road game.
Overtime is limited, so tied games are real. A tie is worth one point, which is why the standings run on points and the first tiebreaker is wins.
Fourth in the West can take third in the East on points. Head-to-head does not apply across divisions, so points and wins decide it.
Every playoff game before the Grey Cup is at the higher seed, so second place instead of third means never leaving home in the semi-final.
Glossary
Points (PTS)
Two for a win, one for a tie. The standings are ordered by points.
Head-to-head wins
Wins in games between the tied teams. With three or more teams, the combined record among all of them.
Head-to-head net points
Points scored minus allowed in the games between the tied teams.
Net points
Points scored minus points allowed in all games.
Crossover
A fourth-place team with more points than the other division's third-place team takes that playoff spot.
Bye
First place in each division skips the Division Semi-Final.
Clinched (x, z, *)
x = playoff spot, z = first place and the bye, * = first place with home field.
Eliminated
Mathematically unable to finish in the top three (or cross over) even by winning every remaining game.
Games back (GB)
How many games a team trails the leader. A half game means the teams have played a different number of games.
🏆 CFL playoff picture → 📊 CFL standings →
Tiebreaker FAQ
How are CFL standings ranked?
By points: two for a win, one for a tie. Winning percentage in our tables counts a tie as half a win, which gives the same order.
What is the first CFL tiebreaker?
Wins. Then head-to-head wins, head-to-head net points, net points in all games and points scored.
Can CFL games end in a tie?
Yes. Regular-season overtime is two possessions each; if still level, the game is a tie worth one point.
How many teams make the CFL playoffs?
Six, three per division, with the crossover rule allowing a fourth-place team to take a spot in the other division.
How many games are in a CFL season?
18 per team, from June to late October, followed by the playoffs and the Grey Cup in November.
Are these standings shown with tiebreakers applied?
Our tables apply points, wins, head-to-head record and net points. The checker on this page walks the full official order for any two teams.
Updated · last result change Sep 15