American football is played in the National Football League (NFL), and Canadian football is played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The NFL has existed since 1920, making it one of the oldest sports leagues in North America. The CFL, on the other hand, was founded much later, in 1958. Since then, the two have grown to become one of North America’s four major professional sports leagues, along with Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. Let’s take a look at some key differences between these two popular sports:
CFL vs NFL Fan Base and Popularity Comparison
According to a recent report from a sportsbook giant in Ontario, the average number of attendees at each CFL game in 2022 was 27,000 last season – a significant jump from just 15 years ago when only around 15K people showed up at each contest. These kinds of reports are usually conducted by gambling companies as part of a website analytics investigation that analyzes the sports betting and gambling market. Gambling experts have noted that these numbers reflect the growing popularity of Canadian football among fans from all over the country and beyond.
The report also highlights how diverse this audience is: fans from all over Canada (and even some international countries) can watch their favorite teams play because many stadiums have been built close enough to not require long travel times between locations.
In addition to traditional casino games, many online sportsbooks and online casinos offer CFL betting options. Fans can place bets on the outcome of a game, point spreads, and over/under totals. Some sportsbooks also offer live betting, where fans can place bets as the game is in progress, making for an even more exciting experience. While sports betting and casino games can be a fun way for fans to support their favorite teams, it’s important to remember to gamble responsibly and within one’s means.
Football themed casino games are popular among Canadian fans who also enjoy gambling. These games often feature symbols and graphics related to CFL teams and players. According to Real Casino Canada experts, the most popular casino game of the fans is the “Grey Cup Challenge,” which allows players to compete against each other by selecting teams and predicting game outcomes. In addition to slot machines and table games, some casinos also offer sports betting options where players can place wagers on CFL games. Such casino games and betting options provide a unique and exciting way for fans to engage with their favorite teams and players while potentially winning big prizes.
CFL Has a Bigger Field
The NFL has different field dimensions than the CFL. An NFL field measures 100 yards by 53 1/3 yards with a 50-yard midfield line, while typically, a CFL field measures 110 yards by 65 yards, and the midfield line is 55 yards away from each end zone line. There’s also a difference in length between end zones: CFL end zones are 20 yards deep, whereas NFL end zones are only 10 yards apart.
As the field is larger and there are fewer downs, the CFL allows teams to run more passing offences compared to the NFL, where passes are often balanced with runs.
Difference Between Team Sizes
The NFL is much larger, with 32 teams, while the CFL has only nine teams. In the CFL, there may be 46 players on each team, including two quarterbacks and 44 other players (with no more than 20 Americans). The reserve roster must consist of one player for each team. A maximum number of 53 players can be on an active NFL roster at any given time during the regular season. This includes 48 active players who can dress but not play in games unless called up by their team.
There are 12 players on the field in the CFL, compared to 11 in the NFL. On each side of the field, there are 24 players instead of 22. The extra two players can be used as kick returners or extra blockers at times when needed.
NFL vs CFL Player Development and Scouting Differences
Overall, while there are similarities in the scouting processes used by the NFL and CFL, there are also key differences based on the unique characteristics and priorities of each league. The CFL has fewer players than the NFL, but it draws largely from Canadian universities and colleges as well as some American schools. Another difference is that speed is still important in both leagues. However, there’s more emphasis on agility and quickness in Canada than strength and size, as you’d see in the US.
The NFL also places more importance on player experience at higher levels of competition, like NCAA football or other professional leagues, while Canadian teams value players who have excelled within their own systems, such as U Sports football.
CFL vs NFL Player Salaries and Contracts
An NFL player’s average yearly salary was reported to be around $2.7 million in the 2017 season. The number has increased in recent years without a doubt. A CFL player’s average salary in 2021 was approximately $80,000 Canadian.
According to NFL salary estimates, Aaron Rodgers made approximately $50 million in 2022! That’s quite a big difference compared with Zach Collaros’ contract, which offers him only $550K per year – still making him the top CFL player!
In-season Scheduling and Length
The CFL season is shorter and wraps up earlier than its American counterpart. The NFL regular season begins in September and ends in late December or early January, with 16 games played by each team during this period. January is the month for playoffs, and the Super Bowl is in February.
The CFL’s regular season begins in June and ends in early November when teams enter into playoff matches where they compete for spots in “the Grey Cup.” Moreover, CFL games are played on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.
To Sum Up
The CFL and NFL are both great leagues with a lot of history behind them. They have different styles of play, which can make it hard for fans to compare these two leagues. However, if you look at the stats side-by-side, there are some clear differences between the two.
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