The CFL Goes To Camp

Soon enough it will be as the CFL kicks off on Friday June the 7^th (1:30 am BST) with a rematch of last year’s classic Grey Cup game between Montreal and Winnipeg. But it already feels like 3 Down football is back, and that is because the rookie mini camps have opened. Following the Draft, the annual cycle leading into the season now feels like it is in full swing.

Teams are gearing up and signing players. So we have things like the BC Lions getting ready to celebrate their 70^th season, or Winnipeg having Hall of Famer Milt Stegall at their rookie camp. (Side note Stegall looks in great shape!); or Ticats fans spiralling as Bo Levi Mitchell is spotted in a walking boot.

It’s an exciting time of year. A chance for fans of all the teams to start believing something good could happen for them. The teams will be busy now camps have started too because after the rookie camps opening on May the 8^th, the following dates are key too:

May 11^th roster cut down to 85.

May 12^th – full training camps open.

May 14^th – roster cut down to 75.

May 20^th – Preseason. The first game features Winnipeg & Saskatchewan and will be played at 9PM BST.

June 1^st – training camp ends.

June the 7^th (UK time, 6^th in Canada) – the season kicks off.

Just remember too, you never know what talent may be out there. This time last year Qwan’Tez Stiggers was taking his first steps as a pro with the Toronto Argonauts. Stiggers, the Most Outstanding CFL rookie for 2023 continues his amazing story with the New York Jets this year. It will be a lot of fun to see what talent and stories emerge across the league this year too.  

Summer pro football with talented players, fun games, inviting fans, what’s not to love? And for those NFL and college ball fans that bemoan a lack of football at this time of year the CFL offers a great ‘football fix’. We can even help you out with who to support. Check our guide to the teams and pick a team to back to make it even more involving and fun.