Canadian Football

Twelve-a-side northern cousin of American football — bigger field, three downs, a rouge on missed kicks.

👥12 per team🌤outdoor
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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