How many teams are in the CFL and which is the most successful team?

How many teams are in the CFL and which is the most successful team?

Kevin Omuya
August 1, 2023 at 3:49 PM

How many teams are in the CFL? Nine strong teams are intense in the running, but one has consistently outperformed the rest. The Canadian Football League (CFL) was established in 1958 and has been a mainstay of Canadian football ever since. How many teams are in the CFL now, how long have they been around, and has the league tried to expand by adding new franchises? This question arises more than 60 years after the league's inception.

How many teams are in the CFL?
Zach Collaros (8) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers runs with the ball between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium on June 16, 2023, in Regina, Canada. Photo: Brent Just
Source: Getty Images

It is one of the oldest professional football leagues in the world, and its exciting matches and fierce rivalry have been drawing in spectators for decades. The excitement of the CFL comes from the intense rivalry among its teams as they all aim to win the league championship. Let us look at how many teams there are in the CFL.

How many football teams are in the CFL?

The Canadian Football League consists of nine clubs, four in the East Division and five in the West. After a six-year hiatus, the Ottawa franchise returned in 2014, bringing the total number of clubs back to nine. The league briefly increased in size beyond the current nine teams in 1993 when it tried expanding into the United States but gave up two years later in 1995. Below are the teams in the Canadian football league.

1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (East Division)

How many American teams were in the CFL?
Taylor Powell (0) of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats throws a pass against the Toronto Argonauts during the first half at Tim Hortons Field on July 21, 2023, in Hamilton, Canada. Photo: John E. Sokolowski
Source: Getty Images

The Tiger-Cats have made more appearances (20) in the Grey Cup, the Canadian Football League's championship game. With only six victories to their name, they also record the most Grey Cup defeats with fourteen. The Tiger-Cats' 19-year championship drought is the longest in league history. Tim Hortons Field, where they play their home games, was built in 2000 and seats 24,000.

2. Montreal Alouettes (East Division)

How many teams are in the CFL?
Montreal Alouettes defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy (24) runs the ball during the Toronto Argonauts versus the Montreal Alouettes game on July 14, 2023, at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium in Montreal, QC Photo: David Kirouac
Source: Getty Images

After a hiatus from 1987 to 1996, the Alouettes are playing in their second season as a team. They have won the Grey Cup six times, most recently in 2010, and lost eight times in the finals. The stadium they now use has a capacity of 20,025 and is named Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

3. Ottawa Redblacks (East Division)

Teams are in the Canadian football league
Ottawa Redblacks offensive lineman Jacob Ruby (54) during player entrance before CFL action between the Edmonton Elks and Ottawa Redblacks on June 30, 2023, at TD Place at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, ON, Canada. Photo: Richard A. Whittaker
Source: Getty Images

Initially founded in 1876 as the Ottawa Rough Riders, the Redblacks returned to the NFL in 2014. The franchise was among the league's longest-running until 1996. The Rough Riders won nine Grey Cups, but the Redblacks have only won twice since their 2014 comeback. They recently moved into the 24,000-capacity TD Place Stadium.

4. Toronto Argonauts (East Division)

The Argonauts, the last remaining CFL East Division team, have been around since 1873. Since then, the team has been known as the Argonauts throughout every official Canadian football season. The 2017 Grey Cup was Toronto's tenth appearance in the championship game. BMO Field, where their games are held, has a capacity of 25,000.

5. BC Lions (West Division)

How many teams make the CFL playoffs?
Terry Williams (87) of the BC Lions returns a kick against the Toronto Argonauts during the first half at BMO Field on July 3, 2023, in Toronto, Canada. Photo: John E. Sokolowski
Source: Getty Images

The Lions franchise joined the Canadian Football League in 1954, making it the league's youngest team. Since then, though, they have been constant. Their latest Grey Cup triumph was in 2011, giving them a 6-4 overall record. The stadium they use is BC Place, which has a capacity of 54,320.

6. Calgary Stampeders (West Division)

Teams are in the Canadian football league
René Paredes (30) of the Calgary Stampeders kicks a field goal between the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium on July 15, 2023, in Regina, Canada. Photo: Brent Just
Source: Getty Images

The origins of the Stampeders may be traced back to the year 1945 when World War II finally ended. They have won the Grey Cup twice, in 2018 and 2008, and have a 7-8 record in the tournament. McMahon Stadium, where their home games are held, has a capacity of 35,400.

7. Edmonton Elks (West Division)

How many teams make the CFL playoffs?
Mark McLaurin (8) of the Edmonton Elks celebrates after a fumble recovery between the Edmonton Elks and Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium on July 6, 2023, in Regina, Canada. Photo: Brent Just
Source: Getty Images

The Elks won the Grey Cup in 2021 and are the current champs. The first franchise was established in 1949, and the company has been around since 1911. For the 2021 campaign, they also adopted a new moniker.

Previously known as the Eskimos, the Elks were instantly hit after changing their name. Edmonton is the most successful CFL franchise, with 11 Grey Cup victories and eight defeats. Commonwealth Stadium is their home field; its 56,302 capacity is the league's highest.

8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (West Division)

Winnipeg's Blue Bombers are the last on this list, but their franchise goes back to 1887. With nine Grey Cup triumphs and fifteen total appearances, the Blue Bombers are tied for second place all-time among CFL clubs with the Ottawa Rough Riders. The stadium they use is IG Field, which has a capacity of 33,234.

9. Saskatchewan Roughriders (West Division)

How many teams make the CFL playoffs?
Pete Robertson (45) and Nic Marshall (3) of the Saskatchewan Roughriders take the field for the game against Calgary Stampeders at Mosaic Stadium on July 15, 2023, in Regina, Canada. Photo: Brent Just
Source: Getty Images

Although the Roughriders have been around since 1910, their performance in the Canadian Football League (CFL) has been lacklustre. The Roughriders' 11 Grey Cup appearances are the fewest among active teams. The Roughriders' four Grey Cup titles are second only to the Redblacks' two, all of which date back to 2014. Mosaic Stadium, home of the Roughriders, can seat 33,350 fans.

Most successful teams in the CFL

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is among the most challenging in the world. Just before the start of the new campaign. Here are the three most successful clubs in Canadian Football League history from among the nine clubs.

1. Toronto Argonauts

How many teams are there in the CFL?
DaVaris Daniels (80) of the Toronto Argonauts makes a diving catch against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during the second half at Tim Hortons Field on July 21, 2023, in Hamilton, Canada. Photo: John E. Sokolowski
Source: Getty Images

They have a rich history, with 17 Grey Cup victories. They are also the current Canadian champions after preventing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from making it a hat trick.

The Argonauts have been around for a long time, and many legendary names in Canadian football have worn their jerseys. The legendary franchise was defined by players like Damon Allen and current general manager Michael "Pinball" Clemons.

2. Edmonton Eskimos/Elks

The Elks, who first competed in the CFL as the Edmonton Eskimos in 1949, are another perennial powerhouse in the league. They joined the company in 2021 and have since changed their name twice. All their prior championships were won under their old name (the most recent one being in 2015), and they have yet to win their first championship as Elks.

The Elks have always fielded a strong team. Jerome Messam, who in his rookie year became the first non-imported player in 11 years to carry for over 1,000 yards, Mike Pringle, Sean Fleming, and Danny McManus are just a few of the best players to ever suit up for them.

3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

How many teams make the CFL playoffs?
Dalton Schoen (83) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after catching a touchdown pass in the game against Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium on June 16, 2023, in Regina, Canada. Photo: Brent Just
Source: Getty Images

They have won 12 Grey Cups over its 90+ year history, making them one of the most successful teams in Canadian football history. The Blue Bombers' fan base has also risen gradually over the years, and they now have the highest average home attendance in the league at over 28,000 fans per game.

Renowned quarterback Matt Nicholas and dependable placekicker Troy Westwood are two famous athletes who have played for the Manitoba team. The Blue Bombers have been unbeatable in the CFL in recent seasons. They have competed in the title game each of the last three years.

How many American teams were in the CFL?

The gridiron football played in the CFL differs from that played in the United States. In 1993 the Sacramento Gold Miners became the league's first American franchise. Four American teams joined the company in 1994, and another five joined the following year. A new South Division was created for the teams in the past year.

How many American players can be on a CFL team?

How many teams make the CFL playoffs?
Chad Kelly (12) of the Toronto Argonauts rolls out to pass against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on July 21, 2023, in Hamilton, Canada. Photo: John E. Sokolowski
Source: Getty Images

A minimum of 44 players are required, a maximum of 45 are allowed, three quarterbacks, one international player, 21 national players, and one American. Except for quarterbacks and the nationalized Americans, teams can only play 19 Americans in every game.

How many teams make the CFL playoffs?

The regular season is followed by three weeks of playoffs that saw 6 teams fight for the Grey Cup in late November. Canada's most-watched sporting event is the Grey Cup.

How many teams are in the CFL? There are 9 teams competing in Canada's professional football league (CFL). Each team in the company has its own distinct identity and following. The most successful team exemplifies the perseverance that has defined Canadian football.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.