Introduction to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Today Open Challenge
Welcome to the 2026 CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Today Open Challenge, a thrilling tournament where you can join as a manager in at least one of 36, 12-team, head-to-head Fantasy leagues. Each league will include a featured manager competing against 11 invited managers.
The Challenge Period and League Details
The Challenge is open to persons who are registered users of the CBSI website, legal residents of the United States (excluding Puerto Rico and all US territories and possessions), and at least 21 years old at the date of registration. The Challenge Period commences on August 3, 2026, and ends on January 4, 2027. During this period, the Challenge will be accessible via any smartphone, tablet, or wireless device that allows you to access this Challenge.
Each league will consist of 12 teams, with each team consisting of 13 to 18 NFL players. Managers will select a starting lineup each week from their players. All teams will have an additional 5 Injured (IR) roster positions that they can utilize throughout the Challenge.
Eligibility and Registration
To participate in the Challenge, you must be a registered user of the CBSI website and meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above. If you are not a registered user, you will be prompted to register on the website prior to signing up for the Challenge. There is no cost associated with registering on the CBSI website.
By registering and signing up for the Challenge, all participants agree to comply with these Official Rules. The Commissioner of each league will be responsible for coordinating and managing the league, and CBS Interactive, Inc. (CBSI) will serve as the Commissioner for all Challenge Leagues.
Game Criteria and Scoring
Each week, during the Fantasy regular season, your team will compete against another team in your League in a head-to-head matchup. During a matchup, each of the players in your starting lineup will earn points based on their actual statistics from their respective NFL games. The point values for each statistic are listed below:
- Touchdown (Passing, Rushing, or Receiving): 6 points
- Passing Yards: 0.04 points for every 1 yard
- Rushing Yards: 0.1 points for every 1 yard
- Receiving Yards: 1 point for every 1 yard
- 2-point conversion: 2 points
- Interception: -2 points
- Fumble Lost: -2 points
- Field Goal: 3 points (0-49 yards), 5 points (50+ yards)
- Extra Point: 1 point
- Offensive Fumble Recovery Touchdown: 6 points
In the event that a scheduled game is canceled or preempted for any reason, no points will be awarded for that week for players on the affected NFL teams. The team with the greater number of points will earn a Win, and the team with the lesser number will earn a Loss. During the regular season, if two teams have the same number of points, each team will get a Tie.
Additional Scoring Notes
An offensive player will receive points for any offensive statistics he accumulates. Scoring will be calculated according to the following example: If a QB throws for 200 yards and 2 TDs, rushes for 20 yards and 1 TD, and has 25 yards receiving, his point total for the week would be 18 points (3 TDs) + 8 points (200 yards passing) + 2 points (20 yards rushing) + 1 point (1 reception) + 2.5 points (25 yards receiving) = 31.5 total points for the week.
Fumbles Lost by a player on special teams or defense will lose 2 points if they turn the ball over to the opposing team.
Instructions and Important Dates
The first day of the NFL season is set for September 9, 2026. Your draft will either be an online live draft or an online extended live draft. The Draft Order will be randomly determined after the league is full. For online live drafts, the commissioner will set a date and time for the draft. The format will be a snake draft, with each team having 60 seconds to make a draft pick. The draft will be 13 rounds.
The Challenge is subject to these Official Rules, which include the game criteria and information posted on the League Details page and within the League Feed found on the League Homepage. By participating in the Challenge, you agree and acknowledge that you accept the Official Rules.
