League Adopts New Overtime Procedure for 2026

The National Gridiron League announced on Monday that it will change its overtime rules beginning with the 2026 season. Under the new procedure, each team will be guaranteed at least one possession in the extra period.

League officials said clubs voted in favor of the change after months of discussion. The 2025 season is complete, so every overtime game this year was played under the current format.

What changes

Under the old system, the team that scored first in overtime could win the game outright. The new procedure gives both teams a chance with the ball before sudden death begins. If the game is still tied after both teams have had a possession, the next score wins.

League officials said the change is meant to make overtime feel fairer. "We want the outcome of a tied game to be decided by both offenses and both defenses," NGL commissioner Helen Marsh said. "This gives each team a real opportunity."

Marsh said the competition committee reviewed overtime games from past seasons and heard from coaches, players and officials. The league's own data, which covers several seasons of games, helped inform the discussion.

Coaches weigh in

Reaction among coaches was mixed but generally positive. Several said they liked the idea of giving both teams a chance.

"It makes sense," said Louisville coach Dina Rourke. "You want players to decide the game, and this puts the ball in everyone's hands."

Some coaches raised practical questions, such as how the change would affect clock management and game planning. Salt Lake coach Gil Arnaud said his staff would need time to adjust. "It changes how you think about the first possession," Arnaud said. "You can be more aggressive or more careful, and you have to decide which one."

Not everyone was fully convinced. A few coaches said they preferred the previous system because it kept games shorter and added urgency. Even so, most acknowledged the vote reflected what many of their players and fans wanted.

Players' view

Players largely welcomed the change. Several said they disliked seeing a game end before one side had touched the ball.

"If you lose without getting a chance on offense, that is hard," one veteran said. "This feels better."

Timeline

The rule takes effect with the opening week of the 2026 season. The league said it would publish a full written explanation of the procedure in the coming weeks, along with examples to help fans understand how it works.

Officials will also hold briefings with coaches and referees before the new season so that everyone is ready. The league said it would monitor how the new system works in practice and could revisit it after a full season of data.

For now, nothing changes this year. When the 2026 season begins, tied games will be settled under the new rules, and both offenses will get their chance.