Canadian Junior Football League


The Canadian Junior Football League is a national Canadian football league consisting of 20 teams playing in five provinces across Canada. The teams compete annually for the Canadian Bowl. Many CJFL players move on to professional football careers in the Canadian Football League and elsewhere.
Formed May 8, 1974, the CJFL's formal mission statement is: "The Canadian Junior Football League provides the opportunity for young men aged 17 to 22 to participate in highly competitive post-high school football that is unique in Canada. The goal of the league is to foster community involvement and yield a positive environment by teaching discipline, perseverance and cooperation. The benefits of the league are strong camaraderie, national competition and life-long friends."
A handful of standout players are typically signed directly to CFL rosters each season, while U Sports permits up to two years of play in leagues such as the CJFL before a player begins to lose eligibility.
The Quebec Junior Football League was formerly part of the CJFL, but now operates independently. Meanwhile, the Ontario Football Conference consists of two divisions: Varsity Division and Junior Division. While the Junior Division remains affiliated to the CJFL and its teams compete for the Canadian Bowl, the Varsity Division is operated solely by the OFC.

Teams

The CJFL has 20 teams as of 2025, including seven in the B.C. conference, six in the Prairie conference, and seven in the Ontario conference.
TeamCityStadiumFounded
Kamloops BroncosKamloops, British ColumbiaHillside Stadium2007
Langley RamsLangley, British ColumbiaMcLeod Stadium1948
Okanagan SunKelowna, British ColumbiaApple Bowl1980
Prince George KodiaksPrince George, British ColumbiaMasich Place Stadium2022
Valley HuskersChilliwack, British Columbia Exhibition Stadium1999
Vancouver Island RaidersNanaimo, British ColumbiaNDSS Field2005
Westshore RebelsLangford, British ColumbiaStarlight Stadium1971

TeamCityStadiumFounded
Calgary ColtsCalgary, AlbertaShouldice Athletic Park1967
Edmonton HuskiesEdmonton, AlbertaJasper Place Bowl1954
Edmonton WildcatsSherwood Park, AlbertaEmerald Hills Sports Pavilion1948
Regina ThunderRegina, SaskatchewanMosaic Stadium1999
Saskatoon HilltopsSaskatoon, SaskatchewanSMF Field1947
Winnipeg RiflesWinnipeg, ManitobaMaple Grove Park1999

TeamCityStadiumFounded
GTA GrizzliesToronto, OntarioCentennial Park Stadium2014
Hamilton HurricanesHamilton, OntarioTim Hortons Field1963
London BeefeatersLondon, OntarioCity Wide Sports Complex1975
Ottawa SoonersOttawa, OntarioKeith Harris Stadium1960
Quinte SkyhawksBelleville, OntarioMary Ann Sills Park2021
Sault College CougarsSault Ste. Marie, OntarioRocky DiPietro Field2025
St. Clair SaintsWindsor, OntarioAcumen Stadium1929

League map

Recent expansion

The Sault College Cougars made their debut as an expansion team in the Ontario Conference in the 2025 CJFL season. The team is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and operated by Sault College.

Future teams

A proposed expansion franchise for Lethbridge, Alberta, in the Prairie Conference was rejected by the league in 2023.

Defunct teams

  • Abbotsford Air Force 1987–2006
  • Brampton Bears 2009–2011 Brampton, Ontario)
  • Brampton Satellites
  • Brantford Bisons
  • Burlington Braves, Burlington, Ontario)
  • Burnaby Spartans 1956–1973
  • Calgary Mohawks
  • Calgary Cougars
  • Chateauguay Raiders
  • Cornwall Emards
  • Fort Garry Lions
  • Grand River Predators
  • GTA Bears 2012–2013, Brampton, Ontario)
  • Laval Scorpions
  • Niagara Raiders
  • North Shore Lions 1947–1954
  • North Shore Cougars 1955–1980
  • Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs
  • Oshawa Hawkeyes
  • Ottawa Junior Riders moved back to the QJFL after 2005)
  • Quebec City Citadelles, Quebec City, Quebec)
  • Red Deer Packers
  • Renfrew Trojans 1974–1993
  • Medicine Hat Rattlers
  • Richmond Raiders 1973–1992 Richmond, B.C.)
  • Rosemount Bombers
  • Sault Ste. Marie Storm
  • Sherbrooke Blitz,
  • South Shore Cobras,
  • St. Hubert Rebelles
  • St. Leonard Cougars
  • St. Vital Mustangs
  • Thunder Bay Giants
  • Toronto Junior Argonauts,
  • Tri-City Bulldogs 1991–2004
  • Vancouver Blue Bombers 1947–1977
  • Vancouver Meralomas 1931–1990
  • Verdun Shamcats
  • Ville-Émard Juveniles
  • Winnipeg Hawkeyes
  • Winnipeg Rods

    Championships

The Saskatoon Hilltops have won the most national championships since 1974 with 18, followed by the Regina Rams with 11, and the Ottawa Sooners with 4. The national championship is known as the Canadian Bowl. Prior to 1989, league champions were awarded the Armadale Cup. The Leader Post Trophy was awarded under the auspices of the Canadian Amateur Football Association from 1925 through 1973.

Canadian Bowl

  • 2024 – Windsor St. Clair Saints
  • 2023 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2022 – Okanagan Sun
  • 2021 – Langley Rams
  • 2020 – Not awarded
  • 2019 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2018 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2017 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2016 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2015 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2014 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2013 – Regina Thunder
  • 2012 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2011 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2010 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2009 – Vancouver Island Raiders
  • 2008 – Vancouver Island Raiders
  • 2007 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2006 – Vancouver Island Raiders
  • 2005 – Edmonton Huskies
  • 2004 – Edmonton Huskies
  • 2003 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2002 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2001 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 2000 – Okanagan Sun
  • 1999 – Windsor AKO Fratmen
  • 1998 – Regina Rams
  • 1997 – Regina Rams
  • 1996 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1995 – Regina Rams
  • 1994 – Regina Rams
  • 1993 – Regina Rams
  • 1992 – Ottawa Sooners
  • 1991 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1990 – Calgary Colts
  • 1989 – Calgary Colts

    Armadale Cup (1974–1988)

  • 1988 – Okanagan Sun
  • 1987 – Regina Rams
  • 1986 – Regina Rams
  • 1985 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1984 – Ottawa Sooners
  • 1983 – Edmonton Wildcats
  • 1982 – Renfrew Trojans
  • 1981 – Regina Rams
  • 1980 – Regina Rams
  • 1979 – Ottawa Sooners
  • 1978 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1977 – Edmonton Wildcats
  • 1976 – Regina Rams
  • 1975 – Regina Rams
  • 1974 – Ottawa Sooners

    Leader-Post Trophy

  • 1973 – Regina Rams
  • 1972 – Hamilton Hurricanes
  • 1971 – Regina Rams
  • 1970 – Regina Rams
  • 1969 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1968 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1967 – Edmonton Wildcats
  • 1966 – Regina Rams
  • 1965 – Notre-Dame-de-Grace Maple Leafs
  • 1964 – Edmonton Huskies
  • 1963 – Edmonton Huskies
  • 1962 – Edmonton Huskies
  • 1961 – Winnipeg Rods
  • 1960 – Montreal Rosemount Bombers
  • 1959 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1958 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1957 – Toronto Parkdale Lions
  • 1956 – Winnipeg Rods
  • 1955 – Winnipeg Rods
  • 1954 – Windsor AKO Fratmen
  • 1953 – Saskatoon Hilltops
  • 1952 – Windsor AKO Fratmen
  • 1951 – Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats
  • 1950 – Hamilton Jr. Tiger Cats
  • 1949 – Hamilton Jr. Wildcats
  • 1948 – Hamilton Jr. Wildcats
  • 1947 – Vancouver Blue Bombers
  • 1925 – Montreal AAA