The first game in 1955 actually precedes the establishment of the Canadian Football Council and the CFL, and was known as the Shrine Game. It was held each year from 1955 to 1958; then, after 11 seasons without one, it returned in 1970. From 1970 to 1978 it was played every year except one (1975), then after 1978 it was played every five years, in 1983 and 1988. No All-Star Game has been held since 1988.
The 1950s games and the games between 1976 and 1983 followed an "East vs. West" format. The 1970-74 and 1988 games followed the format of the league champion facing players from the rest of the league.