A recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute has revealed a decline in Canadian interest in the CFL, with only 16% closely or very closely following the league in 2025, down from 21% in both 2014 and 2018. The survey, conducted online from October 7-11, coincides with the upcoming Grey Cup match between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg.
The survey highlighted that dedicated CFL fans are in favor of maintaining the league’s unique Canadian identity, while more casual followers are divided on whether the league should align more 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 be able to score a rouge to win games, and the play clock will see a 35-second automatic reset. Team benches will also be relocated to opposite sides of the field to facilitate substitutions. The most significant changes are set for 2027, including shortening the field to 100 yards, reducing end zones to 15 yards, and moving goalposts to the back of the end zone.
While some players like B.C. Lions’ Nathan Rourke have criticized the changes, others such as Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Bo Levi Mitchell have embraced them as necessary for modernizing the game. Montreal Alouettes’ Tyrice Beverette remains focused on his performance regardless of the rule changes, while Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Jameer Thurman sees the modifications positively as the essence of Canadian football remains intact.
The survey results should be noted with caution as online surveys, as per the Canadian Research Insights Council, do not provide a margin of error due to their non-random sampling method.