Those western fans decked out in Green are the class of the CFL. The fan base that is more rabid as any other. The wild fans that lead the CFL in attendance every year. Ladies and gentlemen…your …Edmonton Eskimos fans. You didn’t think I was describing some other Green team did you?
Going Green: Top CFL fanbases
Yes, based on the TV hype and social media chatter you wouldn’t realize it, but there is a great argument to say that Edmonton has the best fan base in the CFL. Historically Edmonton has always drawn the biggest crowds, dating back to 1970. But to keep things more recent let’s look at CFL attendance since the year 2000.
Over the past 14 seasons Edmonton has averaged 8,000 more fans per game then Saskatchewan and they’ve been number one in league attendance every season except one.
The recent radio commercials in Alberta that dubbed Saskatchewan Roughrider fans “horrible human beings” has flared up the rivalry between the fan bases once again. Especially with the Roughriders’ history of taking out Billboards in opposing cities that say “Green is the new (Gold, Orange, etc.)” But what’s wrong with all of this? After all sports are supposed to be fun.
The Roughriders and Eskimos find themselves tied in the Western standings, and still have two games against each other before the end of the season. The fans will clash with the same intensity as the players, and whoever comes out on top will most likely host a playoff game and have a chance for even more bragging rights.
Saskatchewan stirs the pot in the CFL unlike any other team and for that they should be applauded. Edmonton has recently fired back and it could be said they took it too far with the “horrible human beings” comment. But in the end, common sense should prevail and people will realize the comments were made all in fun.
The bottom line is, both fan bases are at the top of the league and their passion is incredible. Winnipeg, Calgary, and Hamilton all are great as well, but the rest of the CFL cities should jump on board and have fun along with them. Well except in Toronto, as you should understand there is a Leafs team that has a fourth line that needs to be analyzed…
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