The 2026 CFL Canadian Draft took place on April 28, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. This year’s draft highlighted a significant influx of NCAA talent, reshaping team strategies for the future.
Ottawa selected Giordano Vaccaro first overall. A total of 74 prospects were chosen during the event. Eric Rascoe emerged as a player expected to make an immediate impact.
The draft order was as follows: Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Calgary, B.C., Montreal, and Saskatchewan. This year’s event demonstrated a strong presence of NCAA players.
Marshall Ferguson noted, “The predominance of NCAA players is a theme in this draft.” He emphasized the importance of investing in the combine and the draft for true fans of the Canadian Football League.
Saskatchewan had multiple picks throughout the rounds: 9th in Round 1, 18th in Round 2, and so on until their final pick at 74th in Round 8. The draft was televised on TSN and TSN+ for the first two rounds.
Duane Ford commented that it’s about feeling invested in the journeys of players. The strong showing from NCAA talent indicates a shift in recruitment strategies across teams.
The event marks one of the most important dates on the CFL calendar. Teams are looking to leverage these new talents to enhance their performance in upcoming seasons.