The Canadian Football League has been around since 1958, when it was founded. What’s interesting here is that some of the CFL teams are actually older than the league itself, as you’ll learn as you read on.

The CFL has its roots in the Canadian Rugby Union, which played a significant role in the historical development of Canadian football. The transition from rugby football to a distinct professional league marked the evolution of the sport, leading to the formation of the modern Canadian Football League.

The CFL has seen many different teams within the league at one time over the years. For example, did you know that the CFL at one time had American teams in its ranks?

The league expanded during its history, notably adding new teams during its expansion into the United States in 1993. One US team even became champions—Grey Cup Champions—but perhaps more on that subject at a later date. Currently there are nine teams—all Canadian—as the US expansion was done away with after 1995, the 1996 season being the first back to a lineup of only Canadian teams.

The current lineup of teams in the CFL is split up into the West Division and the East Division. Today we’ve decided to take a look at these teams in detail and learn a little more about them, and with the Grey Cup on the horizon, we figured it’s the perfect time, dear readers.

History of the CFL

The Canadian Football League (CFL) boasts a rich and fascinating history that spans over six decades. The league’s origins trace back to 1956 when it was formed as the Canadian Football Council (CFC). This formation was a result of a merger between two of Canada’s most prominent professional football leagues at the time: the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). This merger marked the beginning of a unified league that would eventually become the CFL.

In 1958, the CFC officially rebranded itself as the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the league began to take its current shape. Initially, the CFL consisted of nine teams divided into two divisions: the East Division and the West Division. The East Division was home to five teams, including the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Rough Riders, Toronto Argonauts, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Meanwhile, the West Division featured four teams: the British Columbia Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Throughout its history, the CFL has seen numerous changes, including expansions, team relocations, and structural adjustments. One notable period of expansion occurred in 1993 when the league ventured into the United States, adding several American teams to its roster. However, this expansion was short-lived, and by 1996, the CFL had returned to its Canadian roots.

Today, the CFL is a thriving professional sports league with nine teams competing for the coveted Grey Cup championship. The league enjoys a strong following in Canada, with an average game attendance of over 24,000 fans. The CFL’s enduring appeal and rich history continue to captivate football enthusiasts across the nation.

The West Division

Did you know? The CFL West Division was once known as The Western Canada Rugby Football Union? It’s true. According to Wikipedia, this was the case from 1911 to 1935. It would actually go through many names over the years on its way to being what it is known as today.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers

via eBay

Playing out of IG Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba, they are the current Grey Cup Champions and are slated to take the cup home once again this year if all goes according to their plan. They have a total of 12 championships. They were founded in 1930. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are slated to compete in the division finals for a chance to advance to the Grey Cup.

The BC Lions

via BGM Sports Trax

The BC Lions of course play out of BC Place. They of course represent Vancouver, British Columbia. They have held 6 championships—precisely half the number of championships held by the aforementioned Blue Bombers, but it can be argued that they had a later start (as I’m sure many Lions fans would agree); they were founded in 1954.

The Calgary Stampeders

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Pro wrestling superstar, actor, philanthropist and business mogul, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actually was signed to this CFL team at one point, interestingly enough. A great piece of trivia to impress your friends with next cocktail party you get an invite to. This team was founded way back in 1945, and have a total of 8 championships. They’re based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and they play out of McMahon Stadium.  

The Saskatchewan Roughriders

via Roughriders

Based out of Regina, Saskatchewan, the Riders, as they’re known to their fans that enjoy the moniker, ‘Rider Nation,’ have previously won 4 championships. They had a very unfortunate end to the 2022 season, but the team is hopeful for a revamp during the off-season. They play out of Mosaic Stadium, and were founded way back in 1910.

The Edmonton Elks

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The Edmonton Elks are based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Interestingly enough, right now, Alberta is one of two Canadian Provinces that have two or more teams in the league representing them; the other is Ontario, which has 3 teams in the CFL. The Edmonton Eskimos were founded in 1949, play out of Commonwealth Stadium, and have previously won 14 championships.  In 2021 they changed their name to the Elks.

The East Division

Did you know? The East Division was also known under a different name way back when; it was from 1907 and until 1959 that they were known as The Interprovincial Rugby Football Union.

The Toronto Argonauts

via Tip Of The Tower

The hold the record as having the most championship wins of any current team in the CFL. They hold a whopping 17 championships. They are also coincidentally the oldest team in the CFL, they having been founded in 1873. They obviously play out of Toronto, Ontario and their home field is BMO Field.

The Montreal Alouettes

via CTV

The Als, as they are known, were founded in 1946. They play out of Percival Molson Memorial Stadium in Montreal, Quebec. They have won 7 championships overall. Interestingly enough and according to the Alouettes official website, the team name was inspired by the Royal Canadian Air Force 425th squadron.

 This specific squadron was coincidentally the first French-Canadian squad of its kind. This was in 1942. The aforementioned squadron was named after a Gallic bird “renowned for its tenacity as well as for flying at very high altitude…” according to the official team site (link above).

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats

via Ti Cats

This team plays out of Tim Horton’s Field in Hamilton, Ontario. They were founded in 1950, and have a total of 8 championships overall. Their team name is interesting, and comes from a merging of two previous teams playing out of the same city, the Tigers and the Wildcats.

The Ottawa Redblacks

via Rouge et Noir DOttawa

The youngest team in the CFL, the Redblacks were formed, or rather founded in 2014. They have previously won only 1 single championship. They play out of TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the nation’s capital city.

For all of your 2022 CFL Season News and even More Info: CFL News Hub

Expansion and Future Plans

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has a long-standing tradition of expansion and growth, and the league remains committed to exploring new opportunities for the future. In recent years, the CFL has been actively considering various options for expansion, including the addition of new teams and the relocation of existing ones to untapped markets.

One of the most promising areas for potential expansion is the Maritime provinces. This region has demonstrated a strong enthusiasm for Canadian football, and the league has responded by hosting several exhibition games there. These games have been well-received, fueling speculation about the possibility of a new CFL team in the Maritimes.

In addition to exploring new markets, the CFL is also focused on the development of modern stadiums and facilities. Several teams currently play in aging stadiums, and the league is working diligently to secure funding and support for new stadium projects. Upgrading these facilities is crucial for enhancing the fan experience and ensuring the long-term success of the league.

Beyond expansion and stadium development, the CFL is dedicated to growing its fan base and increasing its visibility. The league has a robust social media presence and is actively engaging with fans through various marketing and promotional initiatives. These efforts aim to strengthen the league’s connection with its audience and attract new fans to the sport.

Overall, the Canadian Football League (CFL) is a dynamic and evolving professional sports league with a bright future. With its strong following in Canada and its commitment to expansion and growth, the CFL is well-positioned to remain a major player in the world of professional sports for years to come.