The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on Thursday that it has signed a new six-year agreement with Bell Media and the introduction of DAZN as a new broadcast partner. Together, these domestic and global partnerships represent the largest media rights deal in league history.
“These record-setting agreements mark a transformative moment for the CFL,” said CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston. “They reflect the deep passion of our powerful fanbase and the accelerating momentum of our league. We are thrilled to be aligning ourselves with Bell Media, Canada’s leading media entertainment company, DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, and YouTube, the world’s largest video platform. Together, they will unlock new CFL audiences, deliver world-class entertainment, and put the CFL in a prime position for its next era of growth.”
For Bell Media, the new media rights deal will have TSN broadcasting 60 regular-season games, six playoff games, and the Grey Cup. The extension also has TSN keeping Thursday Night Football and Friday Night Football, which were created in 2015 and 1997, respectively.
The Grey Cup will simulcast on CTV and Crave, expanding the CFL’s reach through Canada’s most-watched conventional television network and the largest Canadian-owned streamer. RDS will return as the league’s exclusive French broadcaster, airing all Montreal Alouettes games, all playoff games, and the Grey Cup.
For the 2027 season, TSN will broadcast up to three regular-season CFL games per week. In addition, TSN will be home to six of the eight playoff games as part of the newly announced postseason format and the Grey Cup.
“This is an exciting moment for the CFL, and this agreement reinforces Bell Media’s position as the league’s majority broadcast and streaming partner, ensuring fans across Canada have unmatched access to the game on TSN, RDS, CTV, and Crave,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice President, Bell Media Sports.
“By combining expanded rights with the full reach of Bell Media, we’re bringing the CFL closer to fans than ever before – serving our viewers and subscribers with more access, more choice, and more ways to connect with the game across every platform, while continuing our proud legacy as the home of the Grey Cup. Building on more than 40 years of partnership, we’re carrying that momentum forward by creating new ways for fans to experience the CFL in an evolving media landscape.”
For DAZN, they will have the exclusive rights to Saturday Night Football (7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT) each week of the regular season. They will also have a playoff game in the first two rounds that will be featured at 7 pm.
They also become the official global broadcaster of all CFL games—outside of Canada and the United States—including the full regular season, all eight playoff games, and the Grey Cup.
“Having grown up as an Albertan with Saskatchewan roots, I’ve witnessed firsthand the proud history and passionate fanbases the Canadian Football League has across the country,” said Deidra Dionne, Head of DAZN Canada. “The CFL has built on that legacy through recent innovation and modernization and has solidified its place among Canada’s elite properties. Our partnership enables DAZN to showcase the CFL in new ways, with accessible coverage and authentic storytelling, while keeping it uniquely Canadian.”
DAZN will have a new team of analysts, play-by-play announcers, commentators, and sideline reporters. Fans will be able to benefit from DAZN’s platform features, including FanZone live chat and dedicated fan spaces, Multiview, highlights, breaking news, real-time scores, and original programming.
For YouTube, they will become the CFL’s premier platform partner. As part of the deal, YouTube will have expanded live and on-demand platform content, including live preseason games (excluding Bell Media and DAZN games), enhanced CFL Combine coverage, an All-Access unscripted series, and a steady pipeline of highlights, interviews, analysis, and behind-the-scenes content.
“YouTube is the perfect place for fans, creators, the league, and players to come together. Building on the success of our broader football strategy, we are thrilled to support the CFL in expanding their reach and audience, making sure that games, player stories, and so much more reach Canadians from coast to coast,” said Nicole Bell, Head of YouTube Canada. “This partnership will redefine the fan experience and transform how fans create, consume, and interact with CFL content.”
The new collaboration will also connect the CFL’s iconic sporting tradition with YouTube’s future-focused platform, creating new opportunities for content creation, fan engagement, and digital innovation. League media partners will also be able to leverage YouTube to highlight their live and on-demand content across their respective YouTube channels.
The partnership will leverage platform tools and resources to increase the league’s digital presence, expand its live streaming library, and give access to the CFL’s historical game archives.
