Almost half of Canadian Football League followers approve of or are in favor of the proposed rule changes, according to a recent national poll. However, nearly two-thirds of respondents believe that this is not the right time to align the CFL more closely with the American football game.
CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston unveiled a set of rule adjustments to be phased in over the next two years. Starting in 2026, the league will no longer award a single point for field goal attempts, punts, or kickoffs that go through or out of the end zone. Additionally, a 35-second automatic play clock will replace the current 20-second allowance after officials signal a play.
By 2027, the playing fields will be shortened from 110 yards to 100 yards, with end zones reduced from 20 yards to 15 yards, and goalposts moved from the goal line to the back of the end zones.
A survey by Winnipeg-based Probe Research, conducted among 1,230 Canadian adults from October 6 to 14, revealed that 30% of participants were aware of the proposed rule changes. The poll found that 11% of Canadians are active CFL fans who attend games or watch them on TV, with an additional 29% occasionally tuning in to games or checking scores. On the other hand, 60% of Canadians do not follow the CFL at all.
Among both casual and dedicated fans surveyed, 42% expressed support or partial support for the rule adjustments, while 20% opposed them, and 37% had no firm opinion. Notably, respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba showed stronger opposition to the changes, with 35% expressing disapproval.
Furthermore, a supplemental survey of 448 Manitoba adults indicated even more resistance in the Prairie province, where 45% of respondents disliked the proposed modifications.
For those who follow the CFL, the survey indicated the most backing (62%) for the new 35-second play clock. Additionally, 59% supported the elimination of the single point awarded when the ball travels through the end zone. The other proposed changes garnered slightly less support: shortening end zones to 15 yards (55%), moving goalposts to the back of the end zones (54%), and reducing the field to 100 yards (53%).
A significant 64% of CFL followers agreed that now is not the appropriate time to introduce changes that would align the league more closely with the NFL, and 42% stated they would stop watching if the alterations were implemented. Moreover, 50% of CFL enthusiasts found the league less engaging than the NFL, while 59% believed the proposed changes would enhance the excitement of the Canadian game.
Probe Research Principal Curtis Brown noted the delicate balance the CFL faces between tradition and innovation with these rule adjustments, acknowledging the challenge of expanding the audience without alienating loyal fans who view the CFL as a uniquely Canadian sport.
The Canadian Football League did not provide comments on the survey findings.
The national survey conducted by Probe Research utilized a national online survey provider, with the Manitoba subsample drawn from Probe’s proprietary online panel. The sample was statistically weighted to ensure representation across Canada’s population in terms of age, gender, and geographic region.
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