The Canadian Football League (CFL) is a professional league founded in 1958. It is closely intertwined with the culture of the country and reflects the national love of football. Unlike the NFL, the CFL plays 12 players on a larger field.

In 2023, the CFL’s viewership grew by 15 per cent, which affected the volume of sports betting. And demand has grown for both live matches and virtual events at Slots Gallery.

CFL History – Role in Canadian Sports

Prior to 1958, there were regional football leagues: the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU) with separate competitions. After the merger of Canada’s Eastern and Western Conferences, the CFL emerged with a single championship, with finals played in a Grey Cup format. The trophy, awarded since 1909, has come to symbolise the highest achievement in Canadian football.

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CFL’s Impact on Canadian Sport

Unlike American football, which is popular in the US, the Canadian version is different in a number of ways:

• The size of the playing field is larger – 110 by 65 yards;
• There are 12 players on each squad instead of 11;
• Teams have only three tries to advance.

The innovations have affected the pace and strategy of the game. Unlike American leagues, the CFL has managed to retain its national character.

Developing Key Teams and Players

Many CFL teams have made notable contributions to the development of the league. ‘The Toronto Argonauts, founded in 1873, are considered one of the oldest professional teams in North American football. And the Edmonton Eskimos are famous for their winning streak in the 1980s, winning five consecutive Grey Cups. The legendary Doug Flutie has been voted the CFL’s Most Valuable Player six times, and Warren Moon, later an NFL star, made the Canadian league famous around the world.

The CFL currently has nine teams that compete annually for the Grey Cup. They are divided into two divisions, 5 in the West Region and 4 in the East Region. The regular season begins at the end of June and ends in early November, after which the winners of each division advance to the playoffs. There, each team contests the right to advance to the finals. The final game takes place at the end of November, with the Grey Cup awarded to the winner.

CFL and Sports Betting Market

The CFL’s growing fan base and viewership has fuelled the growth of the betting market in Canada. The greatest interest in sports betting is during the Grey Cup, the final game of the season. In 2023, the volume of betting on the Canadian league has increased by 20%, as confirmed by data from local betting companies and Slots Gallery.

Main Types of CFL Betting

The CFL betting line-up is impressive and can rival the NFL. Most betting operators offer the following betting options:

• Exact Score – a bet on what score the game will end with. This is one of the most difficult bets to place, but the high odds make up for it.
• Betting on the winner of the match – a simple prediction of which team will win a particular match.
• Totals – predicting the number of points scored by teams in a match. Players can bet on more or less points offered by the site.
• Forfeits – bets taking into account the conditional advantage or underdog. This format is suitable for betting on teams with unequal strengths.

In the most popular matches of the championship you can bet on special marques: first touchdown, total touchdowns. Such bets are suitable for those who are well versed in the tactics and style of play of the teams.

Betting on Grey Cup

The final game of the CFL season attracts the attention of both fans and sports betting enthusiasts. The event can be compared to the American Super Bowl in terms of its importance. During Grey Cup betting platforms offer many specific bets – from predictions on the MVP of the final to the number of points scored in the first half of the game.

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Popularity of CFLs and Digital Platforms

The growth of the CFL audience is largely due to the emergence of digital platforms. Social media, YouTube and podcasts are important channels to engage with fans. The league’s official Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages are very popular. Highlights of matches, interviews with players and analytical reviews are published there. This has attracted not only traditional fans, but also a younger audience aged 25 to 54.

Daily Hive Vancity-level publications cover CFL events, reinforcing interest in the league among the online audience. Users can follow the news, participate in discussions and share their opinions on the results of future meetings.

Role of Online Streaming and Betting Platforms

Online streaming has played an important role in popularising the CFL. Thanks to YouTube and specialised websites, football matches are available to viewers around the world in real time. This has broadened the league’s audience, allowing fans to follow games from anywhere in the world, sharing impressions and commentary.

Betting platforms have also helped to increase interest in sports matches. Many CFL fans have become interested in predictions and betting, which has added intrigue to the game. To attract players, many companies offer special bonuses, for example, Slots Gallery promo code gives access to unique promotions with cashback, cashback and other gifts.

Conclusion

The Canadian Football League occupies an important place in Canadian sports culture. It becomes a symbol of national identity, reflecting a unique tradition and approach to the