While many casual sports fans will automatically assume that Canada’s only major sport of interest is ice hockey, the nation has always had a significant amount of intrigue and investment in a variety of sporting professions which even includes American Football thanks to the establishment of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The sport of American Football has grown in great providence in recent years as it has since expanded to various different countries around the world which now includes the great nation of Canada who have since adopted the CFL as their primary football league of mainstream attention.

While the CFL may not draw in the same level of worldwide media as the NFL, with DraftKings now offering a wide range of the latest NFL lines ahead of the 2024 season, it can still rival the top footballing leagues when it comes to entertainment and unpredictability as the CFL has its own major prize that is always worth fighting for as much as the Vince Lombardi trophy that is present to the winner of the Superbowl game.

When it comes ranking the top watched sporting events that are broadcasted across Canada, none come much bigger than the CFL title game that decides who walks away with the prestigious title of CFL champions and claims the coveted Grey Cup trophy.

Throughout history, there have been plenty of incredible individual moments that have since made the CFL title game into the staple that it is today in Canada and a must-watch for many Canadian sports fans.

With the 2024 CFL season now firmly underway, these are the top title games in the history of the league that have since become unforgettable moments for all fans of Canadian football to enjoy and remember in great fondness.

• 2016: Ottawa 39 – 33 Calgary:

When it comes to reminiscing on the best overall sports years in history, 2016 is usually a calendar year that gets thrown into proportion thanks to its underdog upsets and nail-biting finales in close games which have included Leicester City’s improbable 5000/1 Premier League title winning season and LeBron James winning Cleveland their first major title in over 50 years by defeating the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

However, one major final that fell slightly under the radar that same year was the Ottawa Redbacks ending their 40-year title drought by defeating the Calgary Stampeders in a tremendous encounter.

After taking an initial 27-7 lead, the Stampeders were able to make a miraculous comeback and force overtime late in the decisive game.

Ottawa’s QB Henry Burris’ attempted pass would be juggled into the hands of All-Star receiver Ernest Jackson who would take the ball into the endzone for a touchdown in OT, however the Redbacks would fail to claim a valuable two point attempt which would leave the score at a one possession game.

With time ticking away, Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell would attempt to find Kamar Jordan in the endzone but would see his pass called incomplete, with the Ottawa defense able to steer away more imposing pressure from their own redzone and close out the game for a historic victory.

• 2009: Montreal 28 – 27 Saskatchewan:

There aren’t many games in the history of the Grey Cup title encounter that come much closer than the 2009 showdown between the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders as kicker Damon Duval (not to be confused with the Jacksonville Jaguars) was able to score the game winning field goal that won Montreal their first Grey Cup since 2002.

In what would ultimately become a heartbreaking defeat for the Roughriders, Duval would score a game winning field goal as time expired despite missing an attempt earlier in the game with Saskatchewan also being called for a penalty during the same drive for having too many men on the field.

This was a game that set up the Montreal dynasty that would win their second Grey Cup a year later, with the Roughriders having to wait to lift their fourth Grey Cup in franchise history until the 2013 season only a few years later.

• 1989: Saskatchewan 43 – 40 Hamilton:

From their heartbreak in 2009 back to their jubilation in 1989, the Roughriders have truly felt all the emotions that football has to offer which was especially true following their narrow victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in what turned out to be a shootout.

Many CFL fans would consider this to be the best title game in league history and it’s easy to see why given the outstanding plays on both sides of the ball which culminated in the infamous final few drives that included Tony Champion’s infamous ‘The Catch’ a short while earlier during the closing moments of the game.

However, despite Champion’s heroics, Saskatchewan were able to score a 35-yard field goal attempt with just three seconds left of play which won the Roughriders their second Grey Cup after 23 years of hurt.