Canada is known for so many things. Their love of sport is definitely up there as one of the top choices. It might seem strange for a country that is typically covered in snow. They love being out on a sports field of many different kinds.
As entertainment goes, sports is up there with casino gaming in Canada as more Canadians enjoy no wagering casino Canada as laws in Ontario and other parts of the country become relaxed. However, if you want to learn more about what sports are popular in Canada.
We’ve put together a list of all the most popular sports in Canada so you can see if your favourite is on the list.
What are the most popular sports in Canada?
Ice Hockey
Coming in at number one, it should be no surprise that ice hockey was and remains the most popular sport in Canada to watch. It’s been deemed the official national sport of Canada and you’d be loath to find a Canadian who doesn’t watch the game.
The Canadian Ice hockey league, “National Hockey League (NHL)” has been around in both Canada and the United States but it remains most popular in Canada. The closer to the border you get, the more American fans you’ll find of the game. It’s definitely a predominantly Canadian sport.
There are now 7 teams playing in the National Hockey League. Which doesn’t sound like a lot but there’s one for each province of Canada. This is made up of Calgary, Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. Canadians are very attached to their hockey team and tend not to ever deviate from it – even if they move elsewhere in the country.
Lacrosse
A slightly more rogue sport that you might not expect to be popular nowadays is lacrosse. However, it was actually named the national sport of Canada in 1859 so it was very popular back in the day. It’s still thought of as being the national summer sport as of 1994. This is not a sport you’d come across very often across the rest of the world, but it’s super popular in Canada.
This makes it a fun sport to watch when you’re visiting the country as this is a unique experience you can only really have here.
Soccer
Soccer is one of the world’s most popular sports to play, so it’s no surprise it’s popular in Canada too. It’s a sport that had flown relatively under the radar. As ice hockey had taken the top spot as the most popular sport.
However, it’s managed to gain more popularity in Canada over many years. The first soccer game took place in Toronto in October 1876 so it’s been around for a very long time. It was played between two local clubs and news of the sport likely came over from the UK.
Men’s soccer has typically been the more popular version in most countries, however the Canadian Women soccer team has been very successful at an international level. The Canadian soccer team qualified for the 2012 London summer Olympics and were on top form throughout the tournament. Now that women’s soccer is gaining more traction, this means that the Canadian team is going to have the upper hand.
Curling
Another unusual sport on the list that is super popular in Canada is curling. It’s got a real hold on what are locally known as the Prairie Provinces. There are a few teams that are known throughout the country who are based in Alberta and Manitoba.
Curling in Canada has unusually been associated with the military. Which could be because it was brought into the country from Scotland. This sport might not be a top choice for people usually, but it’s certainly one of the top choices for Canadians. If you’re looking for somewhere to see the game being played, Canada is your best bet!
Rugby
Another sport that probably came across from the other side of the Atlantic was rugby. The thinking is that it was introduced to Canada by the Royal Navy way back in 1823. Once it landed on Canadian shores, it only grew in popularity and is now one of the most popular sports in the country.
It takes over as being a more popular sport than the American football game. That is favoured by the Americans across the border. The game shares some similarities, but there’s a definite preference for one or the other rather than both!
Basketball
A fun fact you might not know is that the game of basketball was actually founded in Canada. A man named James Naismith, in 1891. While working in physical education as an instructor while he was living in the US. It still stands as one of the most popular sports in Canada today.
Is your favorite sport on the list?
