A recent national poll indicates that almost half of Canadian Football League (CFL) followers are in favor of proposed rule adjustments, but the majority believe that now is not the appropriate time to align the CFL more closely with American football. CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston unveiled a set of rule modifications to be phased in over the next two years, starting in 2026.
Under the planned changes, the CFL will no longer award a single point for field goal attempts, punts, or kickoffs that exit the end zone. Additionally, there will be a shift to a 35-second automatic play clock instead of the current 20-second interval after officials signal a play.
The survey, conducted by Winnipeg’s Probe Research among 1,230 Canadian adults from October 6 to 14, revealed that 30% of respondents were aware of the proposed rule alterations. Of those surveyed, 11% were avid CFL fans who attend games or watch them on TV, while 29% occasionally watch games or check scores. Notably, 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 changes, while 20% opposed them, and 37% had no opinion. The survey highlighted stronger opposition (35%) to the modifications in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers enjoy the highest live attendance rates.
A supplemental survey focusing on 448 Manitoba adults indicated even more significant resistance in the Prairie province, with 45% of respondents disapproving of the rule adjustments. Support for specific changes varied, with the most backing (62%) for the new 35-second play clock and slightly lower support for other adjustments like shortening the end zones to 15 yards.
Interestingly, 64% of CFL followers surveyed felt that introducing NFL-like changes at this time is unwarranted, with 42% stating they would cease watching CFL games if such changes were implemented. While 50% of CFL followers find the league less engaging than the NFL, 59% believe the proposed changes would enhance the excitement of the Canadian game.
Probe Research Principal Curtis Brown noted the delicate balance the CFL faces in evolving its rules to attract new audiences while retaining traditional fans. The CFL did not provide a comment on the survey findings. The national survey employed an online provider, with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points for 1,230 Canadians and 4.6 percentage points for 448 Manitobans. Statistical weighting was applied to ensure a representative sample based on age, gender, and geographic region.
