Canadian Football League to start 14-game season Aug. 5

The Canadian Football League is back. 

On Monday, the CFL confirmed its board of governors approved a 14-game regular season that will kick off Aug. 5 and finish with the 108th Grey Cup on Dec. 12 in Hamilton. The league canceled the 2020 season due to hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but reports surfaced in late May it was targeting the first Thursday of August for the upcoming campaign.

"We are on track to receive all of the necessary health and safety approvals, thanks to our tireless medical advisors and staff, and the dedicated government officials who have been working with them," CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said for the prepared statement. "And while the outlook for fans in the stands varies from province to province, we are confident that process is also on the right track." 

He added: 

"The public health officials in every province keep telling us that as long as the vaccination rate keeps climbing, and the number of cases of COVID-19 is contained or goes down, the more life will get back to normal, including full capacities in our stadiums."

One thing not mentioned was a potential partnership with the XFL after those parties announced in March they were mutually exploring some type of working agreement. It remains unclear if those entities will merge at some point next year or if the XFL plans to relaunch in early 2022.