What is the CFL Replay Centre, and what does "clear and obvious" mean?

According to the 2026 Official Playing Rules, the objective of the replay rule and the Replay Centre is to support the on-field staff, increase the overall performance of the officiating and protect the integrity of the game without causing significant delays to the flow of the game. Replay staff are directed to work within their authority and limit negative stoppages. During natural stoppages such as TV timeouts, more time is permitted to reach the correct decision.

Every decision goes through the clear and obvious process. That means the replay staff have a clear, unobstructed view of the action in question, and the correct outcome is obvious when compared to an established standard created by the CFL rules committee and officiating department. If the outcome is not obvious, the ruling of the on-field officials is supported.

Camera angles are not calibrated with field landmarks, so they cannot be used to overturn a ruling where inches decide the outcome.