The Continental Football League kicked off its inaugural season in August of 1965, founded and operated as a professional football league in smaller markets. The league, featuring teams from the US, Mexico, and Canada, lasted five seasons until ceasing operations in 1969. The original CoFL featured four members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Bill Walsh, Steve Van Buren, and Doak Walker coached in the league, while Ken Stabler spent a season with the Spokane Shockers as their quarterback in 1968.
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2026 CoFL Structure
The CoFL is setting up for a Summer 2026 return, and it will see Mike Kelly taking the role of league commissioner. The league will be operating out of Wheeling, West Virginia, with a business model similar to minor league baseball and hockey. The CoFL will comprise of eight teams. Each team will operate as its own business entity with its own ownership group. The CoFL plans to offer fan ownership, with its flagship team, the Ohio Valley Ironmen, already rolling out ownership packages.
The league’s eight teams will be split into two divisions. The North Division is set to include the Ohio Valley Ironmen, Michigan Arrows, Cincinnati Dukes, and Indianapolis Capitols. The South Division will feature the Texas Syndicate, San Antonio Toros, Tall City Black Gold, and a fourth and final team to be revealed soon. The top two teams from each division will play in the Playoffs. Divisions will not clash until the Championship game, meaning regular season matchups will only be North vs North and South vs South.
CoFL Brings Innovative Ruleset Blends NFL and CFL Styles
The CoFL plans to play with a hybrid rule system. The first three quarters will be played with traditional NFL rules, and the fourth quarter will introduce “The Continental Shift”. The Continental Shift will use a modified CFL ruleset to fit American football fields’ dimensions, but most CFL rules will remain the same. The Continental Shift allows for CFL scouts to have the opportunity to evaluate these players in a way that fits the Canadian style of play.
Big Name Recognition on Staffs and Rosters
With rosters and coaching staffs shaping up, the excitement for the league is building with it. The coaching hires in the league have been encouraging and many of the moves have inspired confidence in the league. Names like Stan Bedwell, Raheem Blackshear, Jerry Glanville, and Steve Kazor all have piqued curiosity in the league set to kick off this summer.
The rosters being assembled vary from team to team, however its clear the league is targeting players with experience in leagues like the NFL, CFL, UFL as well some of the overseas outdoor leagues to round out rosters. Notable signings as of late include former TCU and KC Chiefs running back Emani Bailey, and brother to Quinnen and Quincy Williams; Giovanni Williams who spent time in training camp with the Jets.
The CoFL is not only aiming to provide fans with competitive, affordable professional football on the gridiron, but also the rare opportunity to be an owner of a professional football team! Dare we say this league understands that NFL alternatives live and die by the community that backs them.
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