Which is Older: CFL or NFL?

In a world where legal online sports betting is available, betting on football games is more available than ever.

For example, there are platforms like BetMGM, where CFL betting is available, along with things like NFL props.

That said, which came first? The CFL or the NFL?

Below, I’ll explore which league came first and provide a summary of the history of each. 

Which is Older: CFL or NFL?

The CFL was founded on Jan. 19, 1958, and the NFL on Sept. 17, 1920, making the NFL roughly 38 years older. 

The NFL was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), but it was renamed the National Football League in 1922. The champions were determined by standings at the end of the year, but that changed in 1933 with the introduction of the playoff system. 

From 1933 to 1966, there was the NFL Championship Game before the first Super Bowl was held in 1967. The Super Bowl consists of the winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). 

The current schedule for this league includes 18 weeks, 17 regular-season games, one bye week, and up to four weeks of postseason play. 

Conversely, the CFL consists of nine teams divided into two divisions. There’s a 21-week regular season, and each team plays 18 games and has three bye weeks. The season runs from June to November, including the postseason. 

The CFL emerged after a merger between the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union and the Western Interprovincial Football Union. 

In 1993, the CFL briefly expanded into the United States with seven teams. Following the 1995 season, all of the US-based squads became defunct CFL teams, and the same nine teams remain today. 

How Old Is CFL Football?

The CFL was founded in January 1958.