Canadian Football: History, Facts, Prospects

Canadians are avid sports fans. Although the national sport is lacrosse — a game where two teams try to hit the opponent’s goal with a ball using a stick-like projectile, Canadians love football the most. Major cities regularly host football tournaments. How is it all started? What are the prospects of Canadian football? Let’s try to figure these out.

What’s Special About Canadian Football?

The Canadian football variation is generally recognized as the more interesting modification of American football. The game is distinguished by high dynamics, unpredictable flow, and interesting tactics. It is no wonder that every second Canadian is a true football fan who register on online casinos Canada sites to gamble and place sports bets.

Although the most talented Canadian players often emigrate to the United States for higher earnings, the sport also attracts a wide audience and is actively developing in Canada. The Canadian Football League is divided into two groups of four teams each. Both of them participate in the matches of the season from July to November.

Among football fans, there are most of all cheerful married couples, and you never get bored here, especially at the final matches of the championship for the Gray Cup. The final game is traditionally held on the last Sunday in November. It is accompanied by great festivals and a large parade in the host city in the week leading up to the game.

Interesting Facts

• In 2006, the game was attended by over 2.7 million people.
• Football in Canada is regulated by the Football Association known as the Canadian Football Association.
• There are 1,450 clubs in 12 regions.
• Football competition known as the National Championship is held annually; it includes U-18, 16, and 14 levels.
• The Canadian national football team competes in several international competitions, such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games.

How Is It Started?

The first official football match in Canada was held in 1861 at the University of Toronto. After that, the first football club was formed here. Interestingly, by that time, there were still no clear rules of the game.

Three years later, two Toronto College students, Cumberland and Bethune, clearly formulated the rules of this rugby-based game. However, it is generally accepted that the modern form of Canadian football began to develop in 1865 when a rugby match was played in Montreal. At that time, the officers of the English army, who were standing as a grison, met with a team of ordinary civilians. The new game began to attract interest gradually, and within three years, the first football club was founded in Montreal. It was the first non-university organization in Canada.

Over time, rugby football became popular in other Canadian educational institutions. And in 1874, a Canadian university played a game with Harvard College. Thanks to this match, the game began to develop in North America as well. Over time, football game rules have changed somewhat in the United States; this is actually how American football has emerged.

Since the rules of American football are quite similar to its Canadian predecessor, the football clubs of both countries maintain a close relationship. Many American players have repeatedly become members of Canadian teams and vice versa. Canadian athletes have won places among American football players