Canadian Football
Twelve-a-side northern cousin of American football — bigger field, three downs, a rouge on missed kicks.
👥12 per team🌤outdoor
What is Canadian Football?
Canadian football is the northern cousin of American football, played 12-a-side on a longer 110 × 65 yd field with 20 yd end zones and only three downs to move the ball 10 yards. The single point "rouge" on missed field goals or kickoffs into the end zone gives kicking a bigger role. The CFL Grey Cup, first awarded in 1909, is Canada's oldest annual sports trophy.
Quick facts
Category
Ball Sports
Type
Team sport
Players
12 per team
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇨🇦 Canada
Estimated origin
1861, McGill University, Montreal (parallel evolution with US game)
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified