The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced its first-ever free live-streaming service on Friday which will allow U.S. viewers to watch all of the preseason and regular season games.
The services will be called CFL Preseason Live and CFL+. For the preseason, the league will work together with the host club of each game to broadcast the in-stadium video feed, while play-by-play and analysis will be provided by local crews. The first preseason game is on Monday, May 22nd between the Edmonton Elks against the Calgary Stampeders at 4 pm.
“Free online viewing represents a new path forward for the league and all our fans,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “Through these platforms, we are prioritizing access and reach, while placing an added emphasis on building a more direct connection with our viewers.
“With CFL Preseason Live, we listened to our fans. The preseason is an exciting time of possibility in the lead-up to the campaign ahead. We recognized an opportunity to provide a new service for our fans, and we worked with our teams to make it happen.”
The league went a step further by adding the remaining 47 games that will air on CFL+ for free in the United States. International audiences can watch the entire preseason, regular season, and postseason for free.
Last month, the league announced its American television deal with CBS Sports Network that will air 34 games. The agreement will pay the league $1 million annually, a substantial increase from their previous partnership with ESPN, which aired all 81 games for several years.
The CFL Playoffs and 110th Grey Cup will also be made available on CFL+ unless CBS decides to exercise the agreement. The broadcast schedule in the U.S. may be subject to change. You can view the 2023 schedule here.
“Through CFL+, we will better serve our fanbase, while reaching a new generation of viewers,” Ambrosie added. “More Americans will be able to see their collegiate stars continue their football journeys north of the border, and more fans around the world will have the opportunity to see their favorite players take the field in Canada.”
The 2023 CFL season starts on Thursday, June 8th, between the B.C. Lions against the Calgary Stampeders from McMahan Stadium at 9 pm on CBS Sports Network. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
