On the weekend of October 17–18, the 2026 CNFL playoffs officially began with eight wildcard games, with the winners advancing to the round of 16. Four of the eight games were decided by five points or fewer, including both Group B victories by the SuXi Marauders and Shenyang Thunders. The other four were routs of 27 points or more.
With Group A teams hosting their Group B opponents, the strength of the higher group showed as the home teams went 6–2 in the wildcard round. Two teams from the North Division, the Qingdao Conquerors from North Group A and the Changchun Icebreakers from North Group B, were unable to play, so the Beijing Commander (fifth in Group A) and Shenyang Spartans (third in Group B) stepped in.
Shanghai Hawks fly past Hangzhou Ospreys 47–20
The playoffs began at Shanghai University of Engineering Science, where the Shanghai Hawks took on the Hangzhou Ospreys.
The Ospreys surprisingly got on the scoreboard first when quarterback No. 7 Chen Hu Zhewen (陈胡哲文) threw a touchdown pass to put Hangzhou in front 8–0.
However, the lead wouldn’t last long as the Hawks’ offense dominated the rest of the game. Dual-threat quarterback No. 1 Ma Jinhui (马锦晖) ran for three touchdowns and threw for another, leading Shanghai into the round of 16 and a matchup with the Chengdu Pandaman.
Gan Cavalry survive Jiang Deling’s electrifying performance 27–22
In Nanchang, the Gan Cavalry held off the Fuzhou Aqualions despite an outstanding performance by Fuzhou linebacker No. 32 Jiang Deling (江德铃), who nearly beat the Cavalry by himself, returning both a punt and a kickoff for fourth-quarter touchdowns.
After Jiang’s second touchdown put the Aqualions ahead 22–20 late in the fourth quarter, Gan Cavalry quarterback No. 13 Min Chao (闵超) answered with his third touchdown pass of the game to give his team the victory.
The Gan Cavalry face the Beijing Cyclones next, a rematch of a 30–3 Beijing win in last year’s playoffs.
Shorthanded Spartans fall 52–2 at Shijiazhuang
The Changchun Icebreakers, the North Group B runners-up, couldn’t make the 1,200-kilometer trip to Shijiazhuang, so the third-place Shenyang Spartans took their spot and made the more than 900-kilometer journey with only 16 players.
The Shijiazhuang Liberators won 52–2 and now face a long trip of their own to Guangdong Province to play the Shenzhen Buffaloes.
Jinan Mammoths outlast Chengdu Mustangs 11–8 in overtime
In a low-scoring affair at Jinan’s LeDong Qilu Sports Center, the Chengdu Mustangs took an early 8–0 lead and nearly carried that margin to victory.
A late Jinan touchdown and two-point conversion tied the game 8–8 and forced overtime, which the CNFL plays NCAA-style: each team starts at its opponent’s 25-yard line, and teams alternate possessions until one leads after both have had the ball.
Kicker No. 58 Zhao Zifeng (赵子锋) hit the game-winning field goal, sending the Mammoths to a round-of-16 matchup with the Shanghai Warriors.
Thunders strike last to beat Beijing Commander 32–29
With Qingdao’s withdrawal, the Beijing Commander played host to the Shenyang Thunders, and Thunders quarterback No. 2 Guo Yu (果煜) returned to face his old team, having played two games for the Commander in 2025 before heading back to his hometown.
With heavy rain discouraging both teams from throwing the ball, it was a back-and-forth first half as the teams traded leads.
The Commander went into halftime leading 17–10 thanks to a pair of touchdown runs by running back No. 1 Zhang Yinzheng (张印正) and a field goal by kicker No. 25 Huangfu Zikang (皇甫子康), while the Thunders scored on a safety and a touchdown run by Guo Yu.
The visitors took the lead in the second half thanks to Guo Yu’s second touchdown of the game, but the Commander answered with Zhang’s third touchdown run to make it 23–18 going into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Thunders’ run-only offense, which finished the game without attempting a pass, finally wore down the Commander’s defense.
Running back No. 41 Yu Jiahao (于佳毫) scored twice, the last with just over a minute remaining after No. 11 Meng Yizu (孟艺祖) had put the Commander ahead 29–26 with a late touchdown.
Shenyang’s next game will require a lengthy one-way trip of more than 2,300 kilometers to Hong Kong to face the Hong Kong Combat Orcas.
SuXi Marauders win double-overtime thriller against Nanjing Lions 35–32
By far the wildest game of the round took place in Nanjing, where the visiting SuXi Marauders took a 21–0 lead in the first nine minutes, only to watch the Nanjing Lions claw their way back.
Behind touchdown runs by No. 2 Tong Zihao (童子豪) and No. 13 Li Yifei (李逸飞), the Lions eventually took a 32–24 lead in the second half.
A crucial run by running back No. 26 Ding Xulei (丁绪磊) and the ensuing two-point conversion tied the game at 32, sending it into overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime session, Marauders kicker No. 44 Yu Kai (于恺) proved to be the difference in the second, hitting a 58-yard field goal to give his team the victory.
Less than 10 years ago, the Marauders entered a season with only 14 players on their roster. Now, they are undefeated in 2026 and have a playoff victory under their belts as they head to Xi’an to face the champions of the West, the Xi’an Panthers.
Red-hot Wuhan Spicy blaze past Zhengzhou Steamer 40–0
Behind quarterback No. 17 Li Chongyu’s (李崇瑀) 239 passing yards and four touchdown passes, the Wuhan Spicy cruised to a 40–0 victory over the Zhengzhou Steamer.
They will face a more imposing opponent in the next round when they travel to Shanghai to play the Shanghai Wolves.
Shenzhen Kunpeng dominate Foshan South China Tigers 62–0
In a game between two teams from Guangdong Province, the Shenzhen Kunpeng dominated the Foshan South China Tigers from the beginning, running away with a 62–0 victory.
The Kunpeng, who narrowly lost 20–14 to eventual runners-up Shanghai Warriors in last year’s quarterfinals, punched their ticket to the next round.
They now face a trip of more than 1,900 kilometers to Beijing to take on the Beijing Barbarians.
Round of 16 matchups – Saturday, October 31
All eight games will be played on Saturday, October 31, with the home teams listed first.
Shanghai Warriors vs. Jinan Mammoths – Senlan Greenland Park, Shanghai
Xi’an Panthers vs. SuXi Marauders – Luming Stadium, Xi’an
Chengdu Pandaman vs. Shanghai Hawks – Chengdu Xiaoteng Sports Park, Chengdu
Shenzhen Buffaloes vs. Shijiazhuang Liberators – Songgang Sports Center, Shenzhen
Beijing Cyclones vs. Gan Cavalry – Shilihe Sports Center, Beijing
Shanghai Wolves vs. Wuhan Spicy – Qingjia Technology Rugby Stadium, Shanghai
Hong Kong Combat Orcas vs. Shenyang Thunders – GO PARK Sports Football Field, Hong Kong
Beijing Barbarians vs. Shenzhen Kunpeng – GSL Gold Yidai Football Field, Beijing
Tougher tests await wildcard winners
With all eight teams that received first-round byes hosting the next round and coming in fully rested, it will be a daunting task for the wildcard winners to continue their playoff runs.
One of the most interesting positional matchups could come in Xi’an, where both the Marauders and Panthers boast kickers capable of connecting from long range in Yu Kai and Dilixati Dawutijiang.
Saturday, October 31 will show whether the home teams can maintain their advantage or whether the visitors can pull off some upsets.
The winners advance to the quarterfinals on November 21.