A recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute reveals a decline in Canadian interest in the CFL, with only 16% closely or very closely following the league, down from 21% in previous years. The survey, conducted online from October 7-11, coincides with the upcoming Grey Cup match between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes.
The survey indicates that avid CFL followers prefer to maintain the league’s distinctiveness from American football. In contrast, opinions among less-engaged fans are more varied, with a significant number favoring alignment with the NFL.
The CFL’s recent rule changes, announced on September 22, have sparked mixed reactions among fans torn between tradition and modernization. Starting next season, teams will no longer score a point with a rouge, and a 35-second automatic play clock reset will be implemented. Additionally, team benches will be relocated for easier substitutions.
Further significant changes are planned for 2027, including shortening the field to 100 yards, reducing end zones to 15 yards, and moving goalposts behind the end zone. While many avid fans oppose these alterations, some players like Bo Levi Mitchell view them as necessary for modernizing the game.
Players like Montreal Alouettes linebacker Tyrice Beverette and Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jameer Thurman have varying perspectives on the rule changes, with Thurman emphasizing that key elements of Canadian football will remain intact despite the adjustments.
Overall, the survey results reflect a shifting landscape in CFL fandom, with fans and players adapting to the evolving nature of the game.