| Australian rules football in Canada | |
|---|---|
 Action from the 2010ECAFL Grand Final | |
| Country | Canada |
| Governing body | AFL Canada |
| National team | Canada |
| Nickname | Northwind |
| First played | 1905,Vancouver |
| Registered players | 876 (adult) 20,000 (junior)[1] |
| Clubs | 41[1] |
| Club competitions | |
| Audience records | |
| Single match | 32,789 (1987).Melbourne v.Sydney (B.C. Place, Vancouver) |
Australian rules football in Canada (commonly known as "Aussie Rules" or simply "footy") is played in sevenprovinces – Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador,Quebec, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. TheOntario league, centred onToronto is a nine-team league, including sides from cities as far afield asGuelph,Hamilton andOttawa. In western Canada, there are clubs inEdmonton, Calgary and a six-team league in theVancouver area. There is also a number of junior and women's clubs across Canada.
The sport was first introduced in 1905 in Vancouver, and despite tours involving American and Australian sides in 1912 and 1913, the sport went into permanent recess beforeWorld War I as a result of Australia's refusal to recognise Canada as a playing nation. Three-quarters of a century later, the then VFL (nowAustralian Football League), having briefly gained then lost lucrative North American television broadcasts in the 1980s, attempted to rebuild its audience with a series of exhibition matches between 1987 and 1989. These matches generated significant interest and Canada retains the attendance record for the sport outside of Australia, 32,789 set in 1987 atB.C. Place, Vancouver. As a result of the interest generated the sport was established at the grassroots in 1989 with acompetition in Toronto that has continued and expanded to the present. Competition spread from Ontario to other provinces culminating in the establishment of a national governing body,AFL Canada, in 2004. The world governing body, theAFL Commission has recently made great efforts to differentiate it from rugby, producing educational videos such as "What is AFL?" aimed at a North American audience (Video onYouTube).
Canada has hosted the49th Parallel Cup in 2000 and 2004 (in Toronto), 2007 (Vancouver), 2010 (Toronto), 2013 (Edomonton) and 2022 (Toronto) as well as the 2024 Transatlantic Cup in Toronto. It is home to the only dedicated Australian rules football ground in North America, the Humber College Oval at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto.
Canadians are increasingly being sought after to play the sport professionally in Australia which has helped to increase overall interest in Canada.Mike Pyke (who successfully switched from international rugby in 2008) featured prominently in red and white during his successful2012 AFL Grand Final appearance, performing a victory lap with the Canadian flag. Pyke has inspired others to follow and in 2016, Canadians featured prominently in AFL andAFL Women's recruitment withAndrew McGrath being taken as the top pick in the2016 AFL draft and rugby convert Kendra Heil being picked in the2016 AFL Women's draft.
Canada's best international results were posted in the2014 International Cup with men's team, the Northwind, reaching 5th and the women's team, the Northern Lights, being crowned international champions.
A request for copies of theLaws of Australian Football by parties from Canada was noted in theSydney Referee newspaper in 1904.[2] A 1906 report of Australian Football's growth internationally made mention of a Canadian Railway Commissioner early in the century who, while working in Victoria, fell in love with the sport and upon returning to Canada began agitating for it to be played there. He was said to have made several subsequent requests to parties in Australia for support introducing the game.[3]
The game is believed to have been first introduced toBritish Columbia in 1905,[4] when Canadian-born Captain Robert Nelson Davy of the6th Regiment began training students of the 101stCanadian Cadet corps in preparation for a planned visit to Australia.[5] The students were from theVancouver School Board district and included the Vancouver High School Cadet Corps andKing Edward High School[6] among others.
Davy wrote to Australia for assistance. However, by 1906 the game's newly formed governing body, theAustralasian Football Council (AFC) led by theVFL resolved not to support the game being played outside Australasia and declined any support.[7]West Australian Football League secretaryJohn J Simons however pledged his support through theYoung Australia League and began assisting to plan a series of tours between the two countries.
Canadian Schools had been practicing inter-school competition for around 6 years before the arrival of a touring party from the United States including Sydney schoolboy Eric Cullen-Ward, and San Francisco's Columban Park Boys' School in 1912 (who had successfully startedAustralian rules football in the United States as "field ball" in American schools in 1910). The Americans had come to Vancouver to help prepare Davy's cadets to compete against a touringYoung Australia League fromPerth scheduled to arrive that year and ultimately to tour Australia as Canada's first national team.[8][9] They played the first international match between the two countries in 1912 though few if any details of the match survive.
A Young Australia League touring party left for Canada from the United States in January 1912.[10] Though the majority of the trip was funded from Western Australia, theAustralasian Football Council pledged £240,[11] with president of the time theVFL'sCon Hickey making funding conditional on tour organisers promotingUniversal football believing it would have a better chance of catching on in North America. However the West Australians were determined instead that Australian rules be played. The result was that the AFC, led by the VFL withdrew all support for the tour, vowing to ensure that it was not a success.
Following the Young Australian tour the Canadian Cadets team prepared a reciprocal tour of Australia to Sydney, Perth, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie, Adelaide, Ballarat, Tasmania and Melbourne.[11] $11,000 was raised for the tour[12] with a contingent of 60 cadets aged 18 to 20.[13] The Canadians left from Vancouver on July 10, 1912.[14]
The Canadian Cadets tour was plagued with trouble from the start. Captain Davy had hoped that Australia would extend a similar reception to the one offered the 1909 American Schoolboys team and had intended to play numerous matches across Australia. However, the team was left in the lurch when the AFC refused to recognise the touring party which was not affiliated to it and officially declined participation from Australia's two most powerful leagues, theVictorian Football League and theSouth Australian Football Association.[15] Like the American tour, it was supported only by Western Australia's Young Australia League and theNew South Wales Football Association (NSWAFA).
A. E. Nash president of the NSWAFA saw it as an opportunity to promote the idea that the game was spreading abroad. This was something that the NSWAFA in particular believed was important to appeal to the Sydney public which had gained enormous interest in representative rugby. The NSWAFA had invested heavily in a thriving schoolboys competition and sending Sydney schoolboy Eric Cullen-Ward to North America had successfully kick-started the code beyond the league's expectations. The AFC led by the VFL however were convinced that the key to converting Sydneysiders was through its promotion of national competition and as a truly national football code featuring its VFL clubs. Much to the chagrin of the touring Canadians and the NSWAFA, the AFC and VFL scheduled a clashing fixture, featuring theGeelong Football Club against the New South Wales state team. However the AFC's exhibition match move backfired and the Queensland vs New South Wales rugby match being played that week dominated Sydney's media attention. The Canadian tour, swept up in anti-VFL sentiment, was afforded the barest of mentions by the media.[16] Canadian tour manager E.R McTaggart made an advanced visit to promote the match only to have the matches postponed due to Australian organisers difficulties scheduling the tour.[17]
The Cadets arrived onHMS Zealandia in Sydney on August 4.[18] The Canadians expressed disappointment from the notably cold reception in Sydney, described as "a freezer" and complained to the Sydney papers[19] claiming that they were booed by the Sydney public and had even been discriminated against and abused on public transport purely on the basis of their chosen football code. Organisers claimed that the abuse was so bad that at one point the touring party, mostly self-funded, considered returning home.[20] Captain Davy commented that "the people of Canada won't understand this treatment. They will wonder if there is anything wrong with the boys or with me. We treated the Australian boys who visited us in a very different fashion".[21] Adding insult to injury the NSWAFA public statement on behalf of the Sydney public placed the blame on the Australasian Football Council and the visiting Canadians.[22] Despite the NSWAFA's "apology" theGovernment of New South Wales offered a formal apology and refunded the expenses while visiting the state.[23] Officials fromNewcastle andGoulburn made a concerted effort to atone for Sydney's hostile reception for the scheduled visits[24] however the matches were abandoned due to state of the football grounds.[25] The Sydney matches themselves were low key events, and were rescheduled several times during and there was much difficulty securing grounds to play from rugby authorities. Reportedly skills, particularly bouncing the ball, let the touring side down, though they were competitive against the Australians.
| Tour Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 7 August 1912 | Sydney Football Ground, Sydney | Canada 2.9 (21) def. byNew South Wales schoolboys 8.12 (60)[26] |
| 10 August 1912 | Sydney Football Ground, Sydney | Canada 4.12 (38) def. byNew South Wales schoolboys 8.8 (56)[27][28][29] |
In contrast to the New South Wales tour, the cadets received a parade inMelbourne and a full page welcoming inThe Argus.[30] However they faced a stern lack of support from Victorian football authorities, the cadets who had trained to play in the home of football, instead competed and lost in other sports including lacrosse at theMelbourne Cricket Ground. A rare exception was during the visit toNewport a local amateur team agreed to play an unsanctioned match and were completely shocked to have been soundly beaten by the visitors.[30]
| Tour Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 27 August 1912 | Newport, Victoria | Canada 6.0 (36) def Newport 2.0 (12)[26] |
_march_prior_to_football_match_against_88th_Cadets_(East_Perth).jpg)
The Canadians went on to Western Australia where they were greeted with much fanfare and were hosted by the WAFL (who had sponsored the Young Australia League) where they would play several matches and with the experience gathered on the tour, displayed much improved performance. In Perth, theWest Australian Football League organised a match featuring the Young Australia League[30] Matches in West Australia drew by far the largest attendances of the Australian tour.
| 11 September 1912 | Perth Oval,Perth, Western Australia | Canada 5.5 def. byYoung Australia League 7.3 |
| 11 September 1912 | Perth Oval,Perth, Western Australia | Canada 3.7 def 88th Cadets (East Perth) 0.4 |
| Christian Brothers College, Fremantle | Canada 7.3 def Christian Brothers College 3.10 | |
| Canada 2.0 def. byGoldfields 8.0 | ||
| Canada 2.8 drewBusselton 2.8 | ||
| Christian Brothers College, Fremantle | Canada 7.5 defChristian Brothers College 4.7 | |
| 1 October 1912 | Midland Junction | Canada 5.8 defeated Kendall 3.3[31] |
Upon returning to Vancouver, the game continued be played with theVancouver School Board thanking the hospitality of the local leagues in Western Australia,[33] but critical of theAustralasian Football Council who had refused support it,[32] and just prior to World War I extending an invitation for another tour from theYoung Australia League.[34] Following the North American tour from and to Australia, the AFC demanded that the West Australian Football Association stop all of its financial subsidies of international football, which it did in 1913.[35]
There were reports that despite the failed tour the sport continued to be played in the high schools at least until the war though the Vancouver Board began increasingly playing rugby after the successful 1912 Vancouver rugby tour againstStanford Rugby in the United States.[36]
A proposal was debated by the Australasian Football Council in 1915 of a tour to Canada, with a decision deferred until after the war.[37]
Canada was never granted membership to the council and the game appears to have died out there duringWorld War I.
In the late 1980s,TSN broadcasts in Canada showed highlights of theVictorian Football League from Australia. However the league's once lucrative North American broadcast rights dried up and in response it initiated a series of exhibition matches between 1987 and 1989 in an attempt to rebuild its audience.
The first majorexhibition matches in Canada attracted three of the largest crowds for the sport in the world, along with much interest. The 1987 game holds the record for aVFL/AFL match held outside Australia.
| Year | Location | Stadium | Teams | Result | Attendance | Notes | Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Vancouver | BC Place | Melbourne v. North Melbourne | Melbourne 19.13 (127) def. North Melbourne 16.15 (111) | 7,980 | 15-a-side Fosters World Challenge match | Video onYouTube |
| 1987 | Vancouver | BC Place | Melbourne v. Sydney | Melbourne 20.19 (139) def. Sydney 12.9 (81) | 32,789 | Fosters World Challenge match | Video onYouTube |
| 1988 | Toronto | Varsity Stadium | Collingwood v. Hawthorn | Collingwood 18.11 (119) def. Hawthorn 15.15 (105) | 18,571 | Fosters Cup Final[38] | Video onYouTube |
| 1989 | Toronto | Toronto Skydome | Geelong v. Melbourne | Melbourne 14.19 (103) def. Geelong 13.12 (90) | 24,639 | Fosters Cup | Video onYouTube |
TheCanadian Australian Football Association was established in May 1989 when two clubs, theMississauga Mustangs and theToronto Panthers were formed and played in the inauguralConacher Cup game in Toronto, Ontario. Since then, the game of Australian football in Canada has expanded considerably nationwide.
In 1990, the Scarborough Rebels, the North York Hawks and the Hamilton Wildcats joined, with the Balmy Beach Saints coming on board in 1992. The North York Hawks later relocated and became known as the Broadview Hawks.
The Brampton Wolverines, the league's seventh team, were formed in 1993. The Scarborough Rebels relocated and became the Lawrence Park Rebels.
In 1993, a Canadian representative team, known as theNorthwind, beat a British (BARFL) representative team.
In 1994 and 1995, the Canadians again defeated the British at home.
In 1995, several local CAFA games were broadcast on aHamilton cable television channel.
In July 1995, the Hamilton Wildcats played a Canadian All-Star team in front of 21,000 fans during the half-time break at aCanadian Football League (gridiron) match.
In 1999, the first USA v Canada game was played (49th Parallel Cup, named after the49th parallel north). TheRevolution narrowly defeated Team Canada (Northwind). Later matches enforced strict rules based on player origins. The 49th Parallel Cup is held every two years.
In 2002, Canada participated in the inauguralAustralian Football International Cup, with Canada represented by the Northwind team consisting purely of Canadian-born players. The Canadian national team has competed in every International Cup since its inception and now competes with its national women's team named the Northern Lights.
In 2003, the first junior league in Canada, the North Delta Junior Australian Football League, was formed.
AFL Canada was formed as governing body on 30 July 2004, when the Canadian Australian Football League changed its official name. The move corresponded with funding from theAustralian Football League, and a junior participation program was put in place. The clubs were split into two regional leagues, theOntario Australian Football League and the North West Pacific Football League. The remainingAlberta-based clubs participate in AFL Canada organised regional conferences such as the British Columbia Cup.
In 2005, the Northwind participated in the 2005 International Cup.
In early 2006, AFL Canada sent a small delegation to the AFL exhibition match in Los Angeles. London and Windsor folded due to distance but the new OAFL club, the Central Blues, formed and began competing. In Alberta, the Calgary Bears also formed and the Westcoast challenge commenced.
In early 2007, the Ottawa Swans formed, and affiliated with the OAFL, and the Demons relocated from Mississauga toHigh Park in Toronto.
In late 2007, AFL Canada hosted the Ironbark challenge, including the 49th Parallel Cup between Canada vs United States, including historic first women's and junior (under 17) tests between the two countries. Canada defeated the United States for the first time at both senior and junior level, but were soundly defeated in the women's match. The tournament also included a touring Japanese team and attracted a record attendance of 2,500 atThunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.[40]
Several professional and international players have strong connections to Canada.
In early 2008, junior Northwind representative Scott Fleming moved to Australia to play with theBroadbeach Cats semi-professional club in theAFL Queensland State League at 17 years of age.
Later the same year, former Canadianrugby union internationalMike Pyke was signed by theSydney Swans AFL team as an international rookie at 24 years of age.[41]
Andrew McGrath, who was born in Canada,[42] was drafted first overall in the2016 AFL draft byEssendon.[43]
Kendra Heil signed withCollingwood ofAFL Women's in 2017.[44]
.jpg)
| Currently on an AFL club list |
| Player | Connections to Canada, References | AFL Years* | AFL Matches* | AFL Goals* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Mackenzie | Mother[45] | 2023– | 14 | 3 | |
| Andrew McGrath | Born inMississauga, Ontario to Canadian parents | 2016– | 103 | 18 | No. 12016 AFL draft[46][47] |
| David Cuningham | Parent[48] | 2016– | 38 | 20 | No. 232016 AFL draft |
| Harley Balic | Parent[48] | 2016–2018 | 4 | 3 | No. 382015 AFL draft |
| Mike Pyke | Born and raised inVictoria, British Columbia by Canadian parents[49] | 2009–2015 | 110 | 48 | No. 572009 AFL Rookie Draft (Former Canadian rugby international) |
| Currently on an AFLW club list |
| Player | Connections to Canada, References | AFLW Years* | AFLW Matches* | AFLW Goals* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunisha Kikoak | Father (Inuit fromInuvik)[50] | 2024– | 8 | 5 | |
| Ellie Hampson | Parent[48] | 2020– | 23 | 5 | Pre-list2019 AFLW draft |
| Kendra Heil | FromSimcoe, Ontario[51] | 2016 | – | – | 2016 AFLW draft (free agent)Collingwood Football Club (AFLW),Essendon Football Club (VFLW) and Northern Lights national team player |
Thegoverning body for Aussie Rules in Canada isAFL Canada.
Team Canada for men is known as theNorthwind.Team Canada for women is known as the Northern Lights.
In 2019, there were a total of 875 registered senior players in organised competitions across 41 clubs with more than 20,000 junior registrations.[1]
Participation has more than doubled since 2006, when there were over 420 senior (approximately 250 Canadian national) Australian rules football players in Canada out of a total of 484, an increase of 25% from 2005.[52][53] By the end of 2007, this figure had increased to a total of 825 players in organised competitions across 21 clubs, of which 525 were senior and 300 were junior, an increase of over 70% from 2006, and a total of 95% increase over 2 years.[54]
Canada boasts 9 women's football clubs nationwide. Youth girls development programs operate in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. The national team, formed in 2007, is known as the "Northern Lights". They were formerly known as the "Eagles". They played in the first women's international footy matches during 2007, when they lost twice to the USA Freedom. In 2011 the national women's team competed in the inaugural women's division of the Australian Football International Cup, where they came second to Ireland.[55]In 2014 the Northern lights became world champions when they defeated the Irish Banshees at the AFL International Cup.In 2015 the Northern Lights defeated the USA Freedom to win the annual 49th Parallel Cup.
| Club | Colours | Nickname | League |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | AFL Alberta | ||
| Ontario | AFL Ontario | ||
| Nova Scotia |  | Pirates | AFL Atlantic |
| Quebec |  | Saints* | AFL Quebec |
*The AFL Quebec women's representative team was known as the Montreal Angels from 2009 to 2019.
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. | Years in AAFL | AAFL premierships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||
| Cape Breton |  | Giants | Open Hearth Park,Sydney | 2015 | 2015- | 0 | - |
| Cornwall |  | Tigers | Terry Fox Sports Complex,Cornwall | 2025 | 2025- | 0 | - |
| Halifax |  | Dockers | Graves-Oakley Memorial Park,Halifax | 2013 | 2014- | 2 | 2024, 2025 |
| Saint John |  | Bulldogs | UNBSJ Canada Games Stadium,Saint John | 2024 | 2024- | 0 | - |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. | Years in AAFL | AAFL premierships | Fate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | |||||||
| St John's |  | Puffins | Teakwood Drive Park,St John's | 2015 | 2015-2019 | 0 | - | Folded after 2019 season |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary |  | Kangaroos | A E Cross High School Oval,Calgary | 2002 | USAFL |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | .svg) | Bears | A E Cross High School Oval,Calgary | 2007 |
| Cowboys | .svg) | Cowboys | A E Cross High School Oval,Calgary | 2008 |
| Edmonton |  | Wombats | Kaskitayo Park,Edmonton | 2009 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves | Wolves | A E Cross High School Oval,Calgary | 2015 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Kookaburras |  | Kookaburras | A E Cross High School Oval,Calgary | 2007 |
| Edmonton | | Emus | Kaskitayo Park,Edmonton | 2009 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillhurst | Nighthawks | 2008 | ||
| Kensington | Kingfishers | 2008 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. | Years in BCAFL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnaby/Seattle |   | Eagles/Bears | Burnaby Lakes Sports Complex,Burnaby, British Columbia and Lake Stevens Community Fields,Lake Stevens, Washington | 2001 | 2001- | Joint team between Burnaby and Seattle |
| Vancouver |  | Cougars | Burnaby Lakes Sports Complex,Burnaby | 2001 | 2001- | |
| Vancouver-Whistler |  | Hawks | Burnaby Lakes Sports Complex,Burnaby | 2009 | 2009- | |
| West Coast Saints |  | Saints | Burnaby Lakes Sports Complex,Burnaby | 2008 | 2008- | Do not field women's team |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. | Years in BCAFL | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria |  | Sharks | 2016 | 2016-2021 | Folded after 2021 season |
| Club | City | Province | Founded | Years in existence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Delta Junior Australian Football League | North Delta | British Columbia | 2003 | 2003-2021 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Home Ground | Est. | Years in OAFL | Premierships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||
| Grand River(Guelph 2001-?) |  | Gargoyles | Margaret Greene Park,Guelph | 2001 | 2001- | 0 | - |
| Hamilton |  | Wildcats | Mohawk Sports Oval,Hamilton | 1990 | 1990- | 1 | 2022 |
| High Park(Mississauga 1989-2006) |  | Demons | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 1989 | 1989- | 1 | 1994 |
| Ottawa |  | Swans | Manotick Polo Field,Kars | 2007 | 2008- | 2 | 2018, 2019 |
| Toronto Dingos |  | Dingos | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 1996 | 1996- | 4 | 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| Toronto Eagles |  | Eagles | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 1989 | 1989- | 12 | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2017 |
| Toronto Rebels(Scarborough 1990-92; Lawrence Park 1993-2004; Lakeshore 2005-07) |  | Rebels | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 1990 | 1990- | 6 | 1992, 1993, 2001, 2016, 2023, 2024 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | Location/Home Ground | Est. | Years in OAFL | Premierships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Most recent | ||||||
| Etobicoke |  | Kangaroos | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 2003 | 2011- | 5 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| Hamilton | | Wildcats | Mohawk Sports Oval,Hamilton | 1990 | 2012- | 2 | 2021, 2023 |
| High Park | | Demons | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 1989 | 2012- | 2 | 2012, 2013 |
| Ottawa | | Swans | Manotick Polo Field,Kars | 2007 | 2012-2014, 2018- | 2 | 2014, 2024 |
| Toronto Central |  | Blues | Humber College Australian Football Field,Toronto | 2005 | 2012-2019, 2025- | 0 | - |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | City | Est. | Years in QAFL | Premierships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||
| Montréal |  | Demons | Montréal | 2018 | 2012- | 4 | 2016, 2017, 2019, 2025 |
| Montréal City |  | Blues | Montréal | 2018 | 2018- | 3 | 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| Old Montréal |  | Dockers | Montréal | 2012 | 2012- | 2 | 2018, 2024 |
| Club | Colours | Nickname | City | Est. | Years in QAFL | Premierships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Years | ||||||
| Notre-Dame-de-Grace (N.D.G) |  | Giants | Montréal | 2014 | 2014- | 2 | 2014, 2023 |
| Montréal City | | Blues | Montréal | 2018 | 2018- | 1 | 2024 |
TV coverage of the AFL in Canada has historically included the weekly highlights program going back to the 1980s. In the mid-1990s when ESPN briefly reacquired the rights to the AFL in US again (due to lobbying by fans associated withAFANA), the sport first appeared onThe Sports Network, better known as TSN. In succeeding years, the sport moved between several networks but was primarily on TSN. Coverage remained limited to highlights programs save for one time each year, where the Grand Final (championship game) was usually live. In 2006, due to growing demand and lobbying byAFANA for regular live coverage, the newSetanta Sports acquired rights in both Canada and the USA. In mid-season that year, live matches began appearing regularly on television in Canada for the first time onSetanta Sports (STS). When Setanta's North American operations failed in August 2010, the sport briefly moved to RogersSportsnet. Following ESPN winning the rights once again in the US, the sport returned to TSN, where it remains. TSN now airs one live match and one delayed match each round of the AFL season, both available in HD. For many years, fans in extreme western Canada have been able to see coverage via mid-size or large satellite dishes able to catch signals low on the horizon intended for the Pacific via first Australia TV and now by its successorAustralia Plus. AFANA provides listings of Canadian TV schedules on its web site[56] along with information on the coverage.[57]
In 2011, the first televised all-Canadian Aussie Rules match was shown onRogers TV, and featured the Ottawa Swans hosting the Toronto Rebels.
In 2017, they began broadcasting Canada's national teams[58]
Canada holds the world record for attendance at a match outside Australia.
| Tournaments | |
|---|---|
| National teams (men) | |
| National teams (women) | |
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