NATIONAL PULSE – As CFL (literally) moves goalposts, fans like the old game
1950 Grey Cup became known as the Mud Bowl. (Image: CFL)
But overall attention to CFL drops as under-55 crowd continues to watch more of American game
By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE
November 12, 2025 – When CFL fans congregate in Winnipeg for Grey Cup festivities this week, the league’s future will not be the only thing tackled.
The championship game between Montreal and Saskatchewan will be the last played before a new set of “tweaks” to field dimensions and game rules are introduced (over the next two seasons).
These changes attempt to walk the tenuous line between honouring the tradition of the Canadian game and inching it closer to the American product — all in the name of expanding the fanbase.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds the CFL’s attention landscape does appear to have declined. In both 2014 and 2018, 21 per cent of Canadians said they followed the league closely or very closely. In the 2020’s, however, in three different iterations of this survey (2021, 2023, and 2025) attention has peaked at 17 per cent – this time recorded at 16 per cent.
This, and the league’s strength among older viewers rather than younger, is perhaps cause for recently announced rule changes that will roll out over the next two seasons. For the league’s gamble to pay off, it must not alienate those who support it already, while trying to draw in new fans. It’s a risky bet.
Consider that half of those who follow the CFL (47%) and three-quarters who follow most closely (74%) shun the idea of moving more toward the American style. That said, among those who are fringe followers, the split is much closer, with 38 per cent saying the CFL should remain as unique as it can, while 30 per cent would align more with NFL rules. Many in this group are also unsure (31%) suggesting that there may be a window to draw more interest with changes.
One red line, however, appears to be changing the CFL’s larger field. Asked about recent changes to the play clock, the rouge, and the placement of the goal posts from the front to the back of the endzone, fans are generally more supportive than opposed. However, the idea of reducing the field size from 110 to 100 yards is opposed by two-thirds (64%) who follow the league very closely and half who follow it closely.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
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