Survey finds there’s plenty of interest in Canada in both the CFL and NFL

Toronto Argonauts’ Tarvarus Mcfadden (2) runs the ball after making an interception during first half CFL Labour Day Classic football action against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on Monday, September 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

By The Canadian Press

Sep 1, 2026 | 3:06 PM

TORONTO — It’s an annual perception in Canada that the start of the NFL season is bad news for the CFL.

But sociologist Reginald Bibby, a longtime trend tracker, says that’s not the case. Bibby’s latest national survey on pro football in Canada suggests there’s plenty of interest in this country in both leagues.

“The assumption is the CFL is in competition with the NFL for fan interest and Canadians are choosing the American league over the Canadian league,” Bibby said. “While people do have their preferences, there’s considerable overlap in fan interest in the two leagues.”

The 2026 NFL season kicks off Sept. 9 with the defending-champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriot in a Super Bowl rematch. Meanwhile, the CFL campaign began June 4 and currently all nine teams are in the second half of their respective 18-game schedules heading into the Labour Day weekend.