How Many Teams Are in the Canadian Football League – And Which Are Best to Bet On?

Football fans all over the world have heard about the Canadian Football League (CFL). It guarantees fast-paced matches, unpredictable turns, and wider fields that make the entire game more interesting. This fact creates endless opportunities for sports betting, but if you want to succeed, there are some things you should know.  

How many teams are in the Canadian Football League? Which of them show the most consistent performance? Knowing answers to these questions is the key to placing smart bets and winning money. Understand CFL peculiarities and explore the best betting possibilities in this area. 

How Many Teams Are in the Canadian Football League? 

Gathering information about CFL is a great start to smart betting. Here’s what you need to know: CFL was officially founded in January 1958. It attempted to venture into the American sports market in the 90s, but later on, it changed its focus back to Canada.  

There are currently 9 teams involved in this Canadian sports institution, and they are divided into two divisions.  

East Division 

  • Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Hamilton, Ontario) 
  • Ottawa Redblacks (Ottawa, Ontario) 
  • Montreal Alouettes (Montreal, Quebec) 
  • Toronto Argonauts (Toronto, Ontario) 

West Division 

  • BC Lions (Vancouver, British Columbia) 
  • Calgary Stampeders (Calgary, Alberta) 
  • Edmonton Elks (Edmonton, Alberta) 
  • Saskatchewan Roughriders (Regina, Saskatchewan) 
  • Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Winnipeg, Manitoba) 

Each CFL team has to play 18 games per season. There are 12 footballers on every side, which is a point of difference between Canadian and American football. 

Overview of Canadian Football League Teams  

All Canadian football league teams are known for their professional performance. The 2021 survey showed that the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes have the biggest number of fans. The other teams enjoy a relatively even distribution of admirers.   

Some CFL teams have regional rivalries, which keep things heated. As an example, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg face fierce competitions that give fans opportunities to place bets with significant payouts. These teams have a tradition of playing every Labor Day in Saskatchewan, and there are mocking billboards decorating the border. It’s all pretty light-hearted, though, so even revenge matches are good-natured.     

In 2025, three specific CFL teams stand out.  

Toronto Argonauts 

This is the oldest football club that was founded back in 1873. Over the decades, Argos scored many Grey Cup wins, gathering an impressive number of fans. Their home field, the BMO Field, is known to host some of the largest events, including those from the FIFA World Cup.   

Winnipeg Blue Bombers  

This club has more modern roots compared to others, which doesn’t stop it from being successful. Its rivalry with the CFL Saskatchewan has drawn plenty of attention to it, so the fan base eagerly travels to attend all of its Grey Cup appearances.    

Saskatchewan Roughriders  

The Saskatchewan Roughriders is an old club: it was founded in 1910, and it’s still going strong today. Based in Regina, it gained quite a dedicated fan community that likes to call itself the Rider Nation. The club won its first Grey Cup only in 1966, and since then, its victories have become more frequent.  

Which CFL Teams Are Best to Bet On? 

Before betting on one of the CFL games, you must choose a safe and trustworthy casino. CFL fans looking for platforms with a customizable support system, a large selection of bets and picks, and other player amenities usually go to a casino review site gamblizard.ca in search of top recommendations. While this Canadian reviewer focuses on gambling first and foremost, it evaluates the betting aspects of casinos, too, covering everything from the value of odds to welcome bonuses.  

What CFL team to bet on, though? All CFL clubs are spectacular in one way or another, but not all of them create great winning opportunities for bettors. The top teams that deliver the highest returns include: 

  • Winnipeg Blue Bombers. They show great historical performance by being consistently good. Strong defense and meticulous offense allow this team to secure many victories.  
  • Calgary Stampeders. Disciplined and stable coaching makes this team a dependable betting choice.  
  • Toronto Argonauts. Argos show the highest betting value during playoffs, and their unpredictability helps them win in seemingly impossible situations.  

The betting value depends on the teams’ performance over the last seasons and other factors, such as home vs. away behavior. For example, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg show the best results at home, while Edmonton Elks has been struggling in both scenarios.  

Don’t forget that smart CFL betting is statistics-driven. Watch out for turnover ratios and injury reports; pay attention to betting markets, as underdogs are often undervalued. Ottawa and Edmonton are among the weaker teams, but if the betting line is generous and the circumstances are good, you may win a fortune by betting on them in an over/under context.  

Betting Tips for the CFL  

Emotions are not your friend in betting. CFL is a professional league, so if you want to win, do research and listen to facts. Keep these tips in mind: 

  • Study the matchups. All CFL teams have different styles: some excel at pass-heavy offenses, while others have become famous due to their run-first approaches. Look into past performances to draw conclusions.  
  • Focus on value bets. When the conditions are right, go for the underdogs, as they will deliver bigger value. The most popular teams are often overestimated.  
  • Monitor match conditions. Check the players’ travel schedules and get the injury info, as this will show whether the team is going to be tired in the upcoming match.  

Look at weather conditions, too. For example, playing in Winnipeg during late autumn can be a challenge even for the best teams.  

The Future of CFL and Betting  

Sports betting revenue in Canada is predicted to reach $2.29 billion in 2025. CFL will start attracting more bettors shortly, as due to the growing popularity of online and live betting, the entry barrier will drop. Multiple people will get a chance to place their bets right from their phones as the match unfolds.  

CFL itself has begun to arrange contracts with data analytics companies and some bookmakers. You can play CFL fantasy sports versions now, forming unusual combos and exploring new opportunities. In the future, we can expect to see even more contracts and promotions like this. 

Refine Your CFL Betting Strategy 

How many teams in the Canadian football league are worth betting on? As you now know, there are 9 teams in total, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts offer the most reliable returns. They all have their points of strength, from strong defenses to the ability to do well in high-pressure scenarios.    

If you want to keep winning as a bettor, make sure you understand the conditions of each game. Focus on one or two clubs and learn everything about them, including how their players behave during away matches, their injuries, and weather conditions. Practice responsible betting and plan how much you’ll bet in advance. Never go beyond your established limits, and have fun winning money from watching something you love! 

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Comments are closed.