A recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute indicates a decline in overall interest in the CFL as the league gears up to implement rule and field adjustments. The study reveals that the proportion of Canadians closely following the CFL has decreased from 21% in 2014 and 2018 to 16% in 2025.
Conducted online from October 7-11, the poll coincides with the upcoming Grey Cup clash between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes. The survey highlights a preference among devoted followers to maintain the CFL’s distinctiveness from the American football model.
Opinions among less-engaged fans vary, with 61% of those not closely following and 53% of casual supporters expressing uncertainty or a preference for closer alignment with the NFL, compared to 46% of ardent fans.
The CFL recently announced rule modifications effective from next season, including eliminating the possibility of winning games with a rouge. Additionally, a 35-second automatic play clock reset will be implemented, and team benches will be relocated to opposite sides of the field for easier player substitutions.
Notable changes are scheduled for 2027, with CFL fields set to shrink from 110 to 100 yards, end zones reduced from 20 to 15 yards, and goalposts moved to the back of the end zone. The survey indicates resistance to the field modifications, particularly among avid fans and some casual followers.
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke criticized the new rules, labeling them as “garbage” and faulting the league for not consulting players. In contrast, Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell welcomed the changes, emphasizing the need to modernize the game without diluting its unique CFL essence.
Montreal Alouettes linebacker Tyrice Beverette acknowledged the upcoming changes but emphasized his focus on playing regardless of the adjustments. Similarly, Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jameer Thurman expressed contentment with the alterations, citing the preservation of key Canadian football elements despite field size adjustments.
The Canadian Research Insights Council notes that online surveys lack a margin of error due to non-random sampling methods.
