CFL 2026 Season

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Only one thing of those is being rid of… the 55 yard line…. There will still be kick returns (which is what I assume you mean by run-back), and there is still a rouge…

What about all the other differences that make it uniquely Canadian…

65 yard wide field
15 yard end zones
3 downs
12 men
Rouge
No yards
Waggle

YES, these are unique and not in the NFL. When the NFL is the only other league to compare to, "its becoming more American" is the only league to compare to

MLS, NHL, NBA have all had significant rule changes as players and fans appetites for the game have changed

[Hackslack]

Like interest is declining overall… it’s insanity if the CFL continues to offer the current product and expect different results… change is needed.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Again, squeaky wheel gets the grease. I do not think it is 3/4 of fans are upset. Many polls, etc. are not full representative of everyone.

The purpose of polling, is to give an accurate reflection in regards to how Canadian football fans feel about the new field changes, and only 25% support said changes. If one were to have attended any CFL game or the Grey Cup since the announcement was made, the vast majority of people in the stadium were against the changes. Why do you think the Commissioner was booed heavily, when he spoke to present Saskatchewan with the Grey Cup?

That being said, the financials of the CFL are not huge and to grow and get a big jump in the new TV contract, I think risks needed to be taken.

These changes will have absolutely no effect on "growing the game" or giving the league an advantage on obtaining a new TV contract that is more lucrative. It may even backfire.

Yes attendance has grown since Covid, but it is no where near the average it was even 15 years ago (28ishK vs 23K now) and an aging fan base is not sustainable. I don't think they can go back to TSN or other channels and say, yeah Status Quo, because ratings and attendance were up 2% last year.

For one thing, this is not unique to the CFL. Attendance for hockey has also suffered since COVID. Additionally, as a Bombers fan, I question if CFL fans are really "aging" out. As a child/teen,my family had season tickets at the 50 yard line of the old stadium, and I definitely recall seeing many retired fans. The average age in our section was probably around 35-40.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

The purpose of polling, is to give an accurate reflection in regards to how Canadian football fans feel about the new field changes, and only 25% support said changes. If one were to have attended any CFL game or the Grey Cup since the announcement was made, the vast majority of people in the stadium were against the changes. Why do you think the Commissioner was booed heavily, when he spoke to present Saskatchewan with the Grey Cup?



These changes will have absolutely no effect on "growing the game" or giving the league an advantage on obtaining a new TV contract that is more lucrative. It may even backfire.


For one thing, this is not unique to the CFL. Attendance for hockey has also suffered since COVID. Additionally, as a Bombers fan, I question if CFL fans are really "aging" out. As a child/teen,my family had season tickets at the 50 yard line of the old stadium, and I definitely recall seeing many retired fans. The average age in our section was probably around 35-40.

Gary Bettman gets Booed all the time, fans say he is awful for the game. Commissioners do not do this to be Popular, they do what the owners want. There was push back on NHL rule changes too, Trapezoid, Red Line, etc.

That is your opinion on not growing that game, I disagree

I think the Bombers are the exception, not the rule. They have done a great job on selling out all the games last year, merch etc. but Winnipeg and the Riders are not typical of all CFL markets and fans, yet they voted for the rue changes too, so are you going to Boo Wade Miller next time he is on the field or are Rider fans going to Boo Jeremy O'Day? Amar Doman is LOVED by the Lions fan base, and he has gone on record as saying these changed are great and needed to happen for the league to evolve and progress

[elly63]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

he has gone on record as saying these changed are great and needed to happen for the league to evolve and progress

Why? How?

First off, I want to say a certain noted shit disturber resurrected this "debate" (which we already had) and of course someone had to take the bait and here we are all over again.

I don't like the changes, I don't like the secretive way they were implemented (which tells me something is wrong there) but I've accepted them and moved on.

There has been zero proof that these changes will make the game any more popular or prevent the league from sliding, judging by much of the fan reaction it is the opposite.

Supposedly, they will help increase scoring, what if they don't? Or what if they do and what if like excellent Canadian patriots like we are, suddenly start saying the defences suck in the CFL. Remember, in the CFL, a 6-3 game is two shitty offenses but in the NFL it is a titanic defensive struggle. Elbows Up!

Logically, the new rules can be justified but after hearing the Commissioner say in an interview he wanted to see the goalposts back since he was a kid, I see the American influence.

I have moved on but I'm not buying the bullshit excuses for these changes. Did Aunt Jemima sales go up after the name change? Don't get me going on Esks/Elks. Like Bill Maher says "Just don't lie to me"

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

Like interest is declining overall… it’s insanity if the CFL continues to offer the current product and expect different results… change is needed.

That's bullshit to claim any correlation between the old rules and changing to new ones

A new poll from Probe Research may have focused on the CFL’s incoming rule changes, but it indicated two encouraging demographic trends in the process.

Among those age 18-34, 14 percent of respondents indicated they were engaged CFL fans — defined as those who attend games and regularly watch them on television — which was the highest of any age demographic. Only seven percent of respondents age 35-54 indicated they were engaged fans, while 12 percent of respondents age 55-plus reported the same.

This is a poll about the Canadian Football League. Few if any would have predicted the age demographic to respond the most positively regarding their hardcore fandom to be the youngest one.

Among casual or intermittent fans, defined as those who occasionally watch games on television and check scores online, the data is much more even across age groups — 27 percent in the youngest age bracket, 30 percent in the middle age bracket, and 30 percent in the oldest age bracket.

In total, 41 percent of young Canadians are CFL fans of some type, followed by 37 percent of middle-aged Canadians and 42 percent of old Canadians. Those demographics aren’t perfect — optimally, they’d skew even younger — but they’re far from the disaster illustrated by previous polling.

There’s still plenty of capacity for CFL fandom to grow, of course. A poll from The Strategic Counsel earlier this year indicated that 58 percent of Canadians are fans of the NHL. The same survey found that 32 percent of Canadians were CFL fans behind the NFL (37 percent) and MLB (34 percent) and ahead of the NBA (29 percent).

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

MLS, NHL, NBA have all had significant rule changes as players and fans appetites for the game have changed

There are no leagues to compare to, since every pro league in the past 60 years that has competed with the NFL has folded. WFL, USFL, WLAF, UFL, CFL, etc. This will be the fate of the CFL if the new changes proceed.

I'd love to revisit this thread in 5 years.

[cjones2451]

Originally Posted by elly63

Why? How?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh8MqM3DyCI

Around the 8 minute mark

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Have you ever thought you may be wrong? 3/4 of CFL fans oppose the changes. Do you really think these changes will lead to an increase in attendance and viewership? It's far more likely that the changes will result in the opposite of what the league is aiming for.

Just for the record, average attendance has increased every season since 2021 (after COVID). Maybe learn to debate like a mature adult, instead of launching personal attacks, and mocking me about what you think my perceived age is...

What poll is saying 3/4? What's the average demographic of the people polled, and the average CFL fan? Hint: older adults, making it an unsustainable model. Assuming 3/4 accurate (likely is not), is catering to the legacy audience more important than attracting new younger fans to ensure long-term success of the league?

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by elly63

That's bullshit to claim any correlation between the old rules and changing to new ones

A new poll from Probe Research may have focused on the CFL’s incoming rule changes, but it indicated two encouraging demographic trends in the process.

Among those age 18-34, 14 percent of respondents indicated they were engaged CFL fans — defined as those who attend games and regularly watch them on television — which was the highest of any age demographic. Only seven percent of respondents age 35-54 indicated they were engaged fans, while 12 percent of respondents age 55-plus reported the same.

This is a poll about the Canadian Football League. Few if any would have predicted the age demographic to respond the most positively regarding their hardcore fandom to be the youngest one.

Among casual or intermittent fans, defined as those who occasionally watch games on television and check scores online, the data is much more even across age groups — 27 percent in the youngest age bracket, 30 percent in the middle age bracket, and 30 percent in the oldest age bracket.

In total, 41 percent of young Canadians are CFL fans of some type, followed by 37 percent of middle-aged Canadians and 42 percent of old Canadians. Those demographics aren’t perfect — optimally, they’d skew even younger — but they’re far from the disaster illustrated by previous polling.

There’s still plenty of capacity for CFL fandom to grow, of course. A poll from The Strategic Counsel earlier this year indicated that 58 percent of Canadians are fans of the NHL. The same survey found that 32 percent of Canadians were CFL fans behind the NFL (37 percent) and MLB (34 percent) and ahead of the NBA (29 percent).

This is what the poll shows, yet polls rarely match reality. Do you honestly think almost half of young people are CFL fans??? Most people around my age (28) barely know what the CFL is. I guarantee this claim is inaccurate and a result of polling bias

[The S'toon Goon]

Regardless of what people's opinion on the upcoming changes are, I would think that if the new field configuration allows for a better business case for building a new stadium that is a win. Here's looking at you Halifax... or maybe London, or Quebec City..or Kitchener..

Obviously this remains to be seen.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

This is what the poll shows, yet polls rarely match reality. Do you honestly think almost half of young people are CFL fans??? Most people around my age (28) barely know what the CFL is. I guarantee this claim is inaccurate and a result of polling bias

Considering how often you lamely trolled the CFL thread in the past, your posting that doesn't come as a shock.

I can tell you this from first hand experience. My nephew who never watched it when I was around or showed interest, was playing a video game with his buddy and they stopped when their phones went off. They were betting on CFL games.

Elbows up, m'boy. Or is that done already?

[EpicPonyTime]

How exactly do the rule changes attract new fans?

That’s the question no one seems to be able to answer and, imo, why there’s such a pushback from diehard fans. The answer the CFL/media/supporters of the change is largely “just trust me bro change is necessary bro” and is it any surprise no one is swayed by that answer?

I’m not a fan of the rule changes but I acknowledge games change. That said, minor changes to the field and rules are way down the list of actual changes the league could and should make to attract new fans. There isn’t a single non-viewer who is going to tune in to watch a game just because they reduced the field’s length to match the NFL. It’s the lamest and most ineffective change the league could make and the fact it’s causing this much debate is frustrating. We should all be upset this is the League’s game plan to increase interest and not one of the million other changes they could make to its marketing or game day experience.

Originally Posted by The S'toon Goon

Regardless of what people's opinion on the upcoming changes are, I would think that if the new field configuration allows for a better business case for building a new stadium that is a win. Here's looking at you Halifax... or maybe London, or Quebec City..or Kitchener..

Obviously this remains to be seen.

This is one of the few justifications for the changes I find convincing, but even then, the bigger issue for the CFL has never been the field size. It’s always been that it requires major league infrastructure in the form of a $150 million dollar, 20K seating stadium. The business case for that size of investment just isn’t there.

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by elly63

Considering how often you lamely trolled the CFL thread in the past, your posting that doesn't come as a shock.

I can tell you this from first hand experience. My nephew who never watched it when I was around or showed interest, was playing a video game with his buddy and they stopped when their phones went off. They were betting on CFL games.

Elbows up, m'boy. Or is that done already?

1) you always bring up my previous posts, yet I also express how often I watch and attend games, buy merch, used to have season seats, and have attended a Grey Cup (all of which you ignore)

2) is the CFL itself they're interested in or the betting? You realize sports betting outside of people actually caring the league/sport s a thing right (this applies to all sports)

3) How is this related to "Elbows Up"? Are you insinuating I voted liberal? That I don't support Canada? Another brain-dead taken by you as per usual

[elly63]

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

How exactly do the rule changes attract new fans?

Totally agree with everything in your post. Change the rules to try and attract the people who love the NFL and will never like the CFL.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

1) you always bring up my previous posts, yet I also express how often I watch and attend games, buy merch, used to have season seats, and have attended a Grey Cup (all of which you ignore)

2) is the CFL itself they're interested in or the betting? You realize sports betting outside of people actually caring the league/sport s a thing right (this applies to all sports)

3) How is this related to "Elbows Up"? Are you insinuating I voted liberal? That I don't support Canada? Another brain-dead taken by you as per usual

I always bring up your past posts because that is what you did, you trolled. Somehow I find your supposed CFL "fandom" hard to believe after seeing those posts.

Elbows Up was supposed to be pro Canadian, support our own. But it didn't last long, the NFL wannabees are back just as we all knew they would be.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by cjones2451

Around the 8 minute mark

Ok, I finally got around to listening to it. As I have posted many times, I am pro Doman, I have also said that even though I am against the changes, I could justify the reasoning. But he still didn't say as I and EpicPonyTime said above, how this will attract new fans. I still think I'm being sold a pack of lies and no one has said the real reason yet.

My conspiracy theory (and I hate conspiracy theories) is that it will ease the way to US expansion and in my mind we won't be as lucky as the last time, getting out of it.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Hawrylyshyn

This is what the poll shows, yet polls rarely match reality. Do you honestly think almost half of young people are CFL fans??? Most people around my age (28) barely know what the CFL is. I guarantee this claim is inaccurate and a result of polling bias

I have to take this statement with a grain of salt. Even many Americans know what the CFL is.The only place in Canada I could see some people that have literally no idea what the CFL is, would be in Toronto, and even there, the majority would know what the CFL is, even if they do not follow the league.

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

I have to take this statement with a grain of salt. Even many Americans know what the CFL is.The only place in Canada I could see some people that have literally no idea what the CFL is, would be in Toronto, and even there, the majority would know what the CFL is, even if they do not follow the league.

Keyword in my statement is barely know the CFL. Having my age group simply know the league exists and not actively following it as a fan doesn't help with growth and sustainability of the CFL

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by elly63

I always bring up your past posts because that is what you did, you trolled. Somehow I find your supposed CFL "fandom" hard to believe after seeing those posts.

Elbows Up was supposed to be pro Canadian, support our own. But it didn't last long, the NFL wannabees are back just as we all knew they would be.

Well believe what you want I guess, I know how much money and time Ive dedicated to the CFL, and the reality is all that matters.

Not even worth arguing, never go to change either side's mind. 12 men, 3 down, Waggle, no fair catch, Canadian ratio, league owned by Canadians... but yup I guess supporting the CFL os supporting America now