CFL: on a Roll in Year of 101st Grey Cup

CFL: on a Roll in Year of 101st Grey Cup

November 24, 2013 – As thousands of football fans prepare to watch the 101st Grey Cup today, a new national survey has found fan interest in pro football to be remarkably robust.

While there is no mistaking that Canada remains a hockey nation – the NHL is followed by 46% of people surveyed – one-third (33%) say they’re close followers of the CFL and/or the NFL. One-fifth of respondents say they follow Major League Baseball. At the bottom of the scorecard the NBA and Major League Soccer, who claim just under 10% of survey respondents as close fans.

The online survey of 1,505 Canadians was conducted in early November as part of a joint research project between the University of Lethbridge and Angus Reid Global.

26% of people across the country surveyed say they follow the CFL, compared to 21% for the NFL. Of these fans, 14% follow both leagues, while 12% follow only the CFL and 7% have eyes for only the NFL.

The survey also concludes that enthusiasm about the Canadian Football League is not limited only to Grey Cup week. About 25% of Canadians follow the CFL closely all season long. Further, Major League Baseball has a fan base that consists of roughly one-fifth of Canadians.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology

From Nov. 5 to 13 2013, Angus Reid Global conducted an online survey among 1,505 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.


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