The Canadian Football League has adjusted the kickoff times for its upcoming division semi-final matchups to allow fans to attend Halloween celebrations, 3DownNation reported on Monday. The schedule shift moves both the East and West Semi-Final games up by several hours from their original slots.
CFL Moves East and West Semi-Final Kickoff Times for Halloween
Under the updated schedule, the East Semi-Final will start at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 31. The West Semi-Final will follow later that afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET. The league stated the decision was made to allow fans to take in the action before heading home for Halloween festivities.
Previously, the East Semi-Final was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET, while the West Semi-Final was originally set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
BMO Field Set to Host East Semi-Final Crossover Matchup
BMO Field in Toronto will serve as the venue for the East Semi-Final. The visiting team remains undetermined, though it will be a crossover team from the West Division. Both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Redblacks have already been eliminated from playoff contention in the East.
Hosting duties for the West Semi-Final are still undecided. The B.C. Lions currently occupy second place in the West Division standings with a 9-6 record, but only four points separate the bottom four teams in the division.
Montreal Alouettes Host East Final on November 7
The rest of the CFL postseason will proceed according to the original timeline. The Montreal Alouettes will host the East Final at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 7. The West Final will kick off later that same day at 6:30 p.m. ET, though the host team has not yet been determined.
The Grey Cup is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, November 15, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CFL Playoff Schedule
Why did the CFL change the semi-final playoff times?
The league moved the games earlier to allow fans to watch the action before heading home for Halloween festivities on Saturday, October 31.
Which teams have been eliminated in the East Division?
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Redblacks have both been eliminated from playoff contention, meaning the East Semi-Final at BMO Field will feature a crossover team from the West Division.
Where is the Grey Cup being played?
The Grey Cup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. EDT.
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