Does the Replay Centre check ball spots and the clock without a challenge?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the 2026 Official Playing Rules, these game administration items are reviewed automatically without pausing the game and without starting a review of all standard reviewable aspects:

the spotting of the ball
issues with the game clock or play clock
penalty applications
when an offside or procedural penalty is called, to determine whether it should be applied to the offence, the defence or both

Spots: the replay staff can adjust the spot of the ball if the change can be made instantaneously while reviewing live video. A spot is adjusted only if it is clearly off by 2 yards or more, or a line to gain has clearly been met or not. The replay official also automatically provides a spot when a passer gives themself up by sliding or is sacked behind the line of scrimmage. Spots can also be challenged by a coach.

Officials' assistance: on-field officials can ask the replay officials for help when a ruling is in question or two officials disagree, for example on whether a player is in the legal low block zone, whether a catch was made, whether a formation is legal, or whether a roughing the passer or kicker penalty occurred.

Integrity step-in: the replay official may step in to correct an egregiously wrong judgment when an out of bounds player or spot was incorrectly ruled, when it is unclear whether a forward pass touched the ground, or when a team had an illegal formation. This cannot be used to call other penalties, and the game is not paused.