As part of a broader Competitions Announcement on Tuesday, the Canadian Premier League confirmed that the 2026 CPL Playoffs will return to a four-team format for the 2026 season.
The top four sides in the regular season standings will qualify for the semifinals, where the top team and CPL Shield winner will play fourth place, and the second-placed side will take on third.
Semifinal ties will be two-legged aggregate series, with the higher-seeded team hosting the second leg.
The away goals rule will not be in effect, meaning if the aggregate score is tied after two legs, the teams will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time and penalty kicks, if necessary.
The CPL Final will continue to be a single match, hosted by the higher-seeded semifinal winner.
This format was previously used in the 2022 CPL Playoffs, which culminated in Forge FC defeating Atlético Ottawa at TD Place in the Final.
The 2026 regular season will conclude on Oct. 25, and this year's CPL Final is set for the weekend of Nov. 21-22.
