Canadian football Canadian football Canadian football () is a sport played in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed oval-shaped ball into the opposing team's scoring area (end zone). In Canada, the term "football" may refer to Canadian football and American football collectively, or to either sport specifically, depending on context. The two sports have shared origins and are closely related but have some key differences. Rugby football in Canada originated in the early 1860s, and over time, the game known as Canadian
Canadian Football League ten days to offer a contract (usually a league-minimum, two-year contract) to retain the player's rights. CFL players are represented by the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA). Each team elects two players to the CFLPA Board of Player Representatives, which meets once per year. Every two years, it elects an executive Board of Directors. Eligible Canadian nationals (usually from U Sports football or American college football) are drafted by teams in the annual CFL Draft. The draft usually takes place in May and consists of seven rounds. The first two rounds of the draft are usually shown live on