EXPANSION
The CFL has grown through several key expansion phases, including the absorption of earlier unions, the addition of new franchises, and the brief U.S. expansion era. This page lists only the changes to league membership: new teams, reactivations, and major structural shifts.
| Years | Teams / Changes |
|---|---|
| 1954 |
BC Lions (E) First major post‑war expansion; WIFU grows westward. |
| 1958 |
Formation of the CFL from the IRFU and WIFU. Structural change — no new teams added. |
| 1961 |
Hamilton Tiger‑Cats absorb remnants of the ORFU. Structural consolidation. |
| 1974 | Montreal Alouettes reactivated (E) after 1970s instability. |
| 1980 | Montreal Concordes (E) replace folded Alouettes. |
| 1986 |
Montreal Alouettes fold (F). League operates with 8 teams. |
| 1993 |
Sacramento Gold Miners (E) Beginning of CFL U.S. expansion. |
| 1994 |
Baltimore CFLers (E) Las Vegas Posse (E) Shreveport Pirates (E) |
| 1995 |
Birmingham Barracudas (E) Memphis Mad Dogs (E) Peak of U.S. expansion; league reaches 13 teams. |
| 1996 |
All U.S. teams fold or relocate (F). Montreal Alouettes reactivated (E) (relocated Baltimore franchise). |
| 2002 |
Ottawa Renegades (E) First new Canadian expansion since 1954. |
| 2006 | Ottawa Renegades suspended (F). |
| 2014 |
Ottawa Redblacks (E) Modern Ottawa franchise established. |
LEGEND
E - Expansion teams
F - Folded teams