Canadian Sentiments Towards CFL Rule Changes

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has publicly stated that they are considering options to help make the game as entertaining as possible. From December 25 to 27, 2021, Leger conducted an online survey among Canadians to explore the extent to which they are CFL fans and whether the proposed CFL rule changes (i.e., switching to American rules) would increase or decrease their fandom.

SOME OF THE KEY INSIGHTS OF OUR SURVEY ON CFL FANDOM AND THE PROPOSED CFL RULE CHANGES INCLUDE…

• To grow its fan base, the CFL needs to learn how to effectively attract and engage those who reside outside of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
• Rule changes could provide an opportunity to attract new and younger fans.
• While rule changes may alienate those who describe themselves as die-hard fans (3%), the extent of that alienation and how to mitigate its negative effects would need to be investigated.
• Rule changes warrant exploration if growing the fan base is a priority.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

• 1,503 residents of Canada aged 18 or older were surveyed online using Leger’s online panel, LEO, from December 25 to 27, 2021.
• Using data from the 2016 Census, the results were weighted according to age, gender, and region in order to ensure a representative sample of the population.
• If the data were collected through a probability sample, the margin of error for a sample of n=1,503 would be ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.