What Bettors Can Expect from the CFL Season 2020?

All across North America, from school fields to huge stadiums, football dominates the sporting landscape. Beyond being a popular sport with players, spectators and bettors alike, the game has become iconic across the world, with several huge franchises transcending the continent and nestling in the public imagination. Whilst the CFL is not as well known as its southerly counterpart, the NFL, Canadian football is still a force to be reckoned with, commanding huge viewing figures and packed stadiums. But the global COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe has affected elite sport worldwide, and the CFL is no different, with the 2020 season currently postponed. This has thrown a spanner in the works for all aspects of the game, not least the betting industry, which is having to deal with a unique set of circumstances. Let’s take a look at the CFL, betting information, and the issues facing it this season.

The CFL in Focus

The Canadian Football League was founded in 1958, when the Canadian Rugby Union merged with the Canadian Football Council. Prior to this, since the nineteenth century, Rugby had been widely played across Canada, gradually switching from amateur to professional between the 1930s and 1950s. Since its inaugural season 62 years ago, Canadian football has grown in size and popularity, becoming Canada’s second favourite sport, behind ice hockey. While the CFL and the NFL are both forms of gridiron football, there are some differences. The pitches are slightly bigger in the CFL, wider and with a deeper end zone. This size difference means that teams field one extra player. The rules are slightly different; with a nod to its roots in rugby union, in CFL matches it is possible to score a point by kicking the ball through the end zone, and there is a one-yard neutral zone separating the offence and defence – this line cannot be breached before the ball is snapped. The Grey Cup is awarded to the winner of the annual championship game and is the most important and widely viewed sporting event on the Canadian calendar.

2020 Situation

The coronavirus pandemic, and the governmental responses to it, have reshaped our daily lives in almost every way imaginable. Every area of life, industry, and indeed sport has been affected. We’ve seen seasons and events postponed or suspended, from soccer to Formula One, and we are beginning to see the various social distancing measures put in place by different elite sports leagues and tournaments. And CFL is not immune – with the start of the season postponed from June 11th to a tentative date in September, and the duration of the season still undecided. For bettors much will be the same once the games get underway, but while the situation currently remains unclear many will be flocking to online mobile casinos to sate their appetites. Stadiums will likely be empty for the foreseeable future, and teams will face social distancing measures, factors that will affect the atmosphere, and possibly the results of fixtures.

Betting on the CFL

As with many other Canadian sports, numerous fans and casual observers enjoy placing bets on the action. For a long time, sports betting in Canada was illegal, but since the 1990s it has been regulated, with multiple sportsbooks operating. Some bettors prefer to use overseas bookmakers, as they are perceived to have better odds and options, but Canada still has a booming betting industry, with approximately $4 billion wagered in 2016 alone. The convenience and ubiquity of online gambling options and resources mean that the industry shows no signs of slowing down. Betting on sports in Canada, including football, is most commonly done in three ways. Firstly; money line – essentially just betting on the outcome of the game, in other words, picking your winner, ideal for bettors who are new to the sport, or just like to keep things simple. Loyal fans will also bet on their team to win, even if form or quality suggests a loss at the bookies! Secondly; over/under – a wager on the combined total of points scored by both teams during a CFL game. This works as follows – the bookmaker sets the over/under, for example, 25 points. If you bet on the over, the combined total of points must be 26 or more, and on the under 24 or less. This is better for casual participants who don’t favour one side or other but still adds excitement to proceedings. The final type of bet usually offered by bookmakers is points spread odds, where you bet on the winning margin by one team over the other.

Canadian football fans will be hoping that some form of normality will return sooner rather than later. But whatever measures are in place once the 2020 season kicks off, rest assured that the CFL’s popularity will be stronger than ever.