The 7 Most Popular Sports in Canada and How Long They Have Been Played
Canada is one of the coldest climates in the world. But it still has its share of sports. There are many options for Canadians to watch. Fortunately, not all of them involve skating on ice.
To analyze the seven most popular sports in Canada, you have to examine their value to the country and see where it all started. Likewise, you have to look at who is watching and who is playing. Without further ado, let’s look at the most popular sports in Canada and examine the impact they have.
7. Cricket
Cricket is growing fast in Canada, with over 40,000 people partaking in the sport.
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People between the ages of 25-34 apparently love cricket, with them representing 47 percent of the fandom.
Cricket is very popular across the world. The United Kingdom invented the sport. It is the top sport in India. Likewise, Canadians love it. Over 40,000 people in Canada play cricket. It is also cool among people between the ages of 25-34. Allegedly, cricket started in 1785. Organized leagues started around 1834. It is one of the most popular sports in Canada and continues to evolve before our very eyes.
6. Golf
Canadians love golf so much that they double the rate of players of that of Americans.
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Golf came to Canada between the years of 1850 and 1900.
The Canadian Museum of History attributes the Royal Montreal Golf Club as the first organized club in Canada. Meanwhile, Golf Inc. says that Canada has twice the amount of recreational players that the United States does. You would think that would be difficult, given the cold climate across Canada.
But it is true. Canada has over 2,300 golf courses. Yes, the United States has about five times the amount. But Canadians put their golf courses to more use than the Americans do. Golf is one of the most popular sports in Canada.
5. Tennis
There were apparently 6.5 million people who played tennis over the last couple of years.
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The National Bank Open, or the Canadian Open, is the major tennis championship in Canada yearly.
There are over 6 million people who play tennis in Canada. It is a sport where you can play indoors or outdoors. As long as you have a proper net, you can make tennis happen. People love to play tennis. Likewise, they like to watch it. The Canadian Open is the defining championship for tennis in Canada. Overall, it is one of the most popular sports in Canada.
4. Baseball
Canada has roots that date back to the 19th Century, and there were even 24 minor-league teams in Canada in the early 20th Century.
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A survey revealed that 22 percent of Canadians stated that they are baseball fans, while 8 percent indicated they loved Major League Baseball.
Canada has a strange relationship with baseball. On the one hand, they love the sport. On the other hand, they are indifferent. Regardless, baseball has a great history with Canada. It has also been around for over 200 years.
The Montreal Expos did not do so well with the people in the end. However, the Toronto Blue Jays continue to gain admiration. In fact, the Blue Jays were eighth in attendance in 2023, according to a report from ESPN. Baseball continues to thrive across the country and is one of the most popular sports in Canada.
3. Basketball
A Canadian man invented basketball and has been in the country since nearly the beginning, evolving in parallel motion with the United States.
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Canadians have followed basketball for a long time, but it has slowly crept up the ledger board over the years.
Canadians love basketball. They adore the Toronto Raptors. Things went really wild when they won a championship. Their 2019 title victory over the Golden State Warriors catapulted them to new heights. Since then, the Raptors have exploded in popularity. They are fourth in the NBA in attendance. Canada did have another team called the Vancouver Grizzlies. But they did not fare nearly as well as the Raptors.
Everyone knows the story. James Naismith invented basketball. Since then, it has become a sensation across the board in Canada and the United States.
2. Soccer
Soccer first arrived in Canada in 1876 and is one of the top sports to play across the board throughout the country.
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Over 100,000 people play soccer recreationally in Canada, with about 1,200 clubs.
Believe it or not, soccer is the most played sport in Canada, with over 1 million registered players. Despite hockey being the official sport of Canada (more on that in a bit), people play soccer at nearly double the rate. People love watching soccer, too.
Bell Media reports that over 18 million people watched the FIFA World Cup. Canada does not have a good national team. Regardless, people watched. Soccer is the second-most popular sport in Canada.
1. Iced Hockey
Hockey is the national sport of Canada and is adored across the board.
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The beginning of iced hockey goes back to 1875 in Quebec.
Iced hockey is the big prize. It is the top sport in Canada. Look at the numbers. There are over 527,000 registered hockey players in the country. Additionally, they average 2 million viewers on a regular basis. Attendance in the NHL is still high.
The Sports Business Journal revealed that the Montreal Canadiens led the NHL in attendance. Additionally, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers also drew a lot of fans. Only the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators did not top the league charts among Canadian teams. Hockey is and will always be the most popular sport in Canada.
Summary of The 7 Most Popular Sports in Canada and How Long They Have Been Played
| Rank | Sport |
|---|---|
| 1. | Ice Hockey |
| 2. | Soccer |
| 3. | Basketball |
| 4. | Baseball |
| 5. | Tennis |
| 6. | Golf |
| 7. | Crickett |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Eugene Onischenko/Shutterstock.com
