Canadian football history is a unique blend of early rugby roots, the development of a distinct three-down game, and a passionate, century-old pursuit of the Grey Cup.
Formation (1956/1958): The CFL was officially formed in 1958, bringing together the Western Interprovincial Football Union and the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union. canada football history
The Grey Cup: A Beloved National Event
1868: The Montreal Football Club was founded, marking the birth of organized non-university play. Canadian football history is a unique blend of
The Grey Cup is the championship trophy awarded to the winner of the CFL playoffs. The trophy was donated by Lord Grey, the Governor General of Canada, in 1909. The Grey Cup is one of the most iconic symbols of Canadian sports, and the game is watched by millions of Canadians every year. The Grey Cup is the championship trophy awarded
Three Downs: Canada stuck with three downs to make 10 yards, while the U.S. moved to four, leading to a focus on "big-play" offense.
| Feature | Canadian Football (CFL) | American Football (NFL/NCAA) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Downs | 3 | 4 | | Players on field | 12 | 11 | | Field size | 110 x 65 yards | 100 x 53.3 yards | | End zones | 20 yards deep | 10 yards deep | | Motion | Unlimited backfield motion | One player in motion | | Scoring | Includes rouge (1 point) | No rouge | | Goal posts | At goal line (front of end zone) | At back of end zone |