Top 8 Most Popular Sports in Canada 2025 – Hockey, Basketball, Soccer & More
Canada is a country where sports are a big part of daily life. People enjoy watching and playing sports all year round. From children in schools to adults in large cities, sports bring everyone together. If you are new to Canada or want to understand Canadian sports culture, here are the main sports that Canadians love the most.
Ice Hockey – The Most Popular Sport in Canada
Exploring the Most Popular Sports in Canada
Ice hockey is the number one sport in Canada. It is fast, exciting, and full of energy. Many Canadian children start learning hockey at a very young age. You will find hockey rinks in almost every town and city.
Canada has several famous NHL (National Hockey League) teams, such as:
Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Vancouver Canucks
Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames
During hockey season, stadiums are always full of cheering fans. Ice hockey is more than a sport—it is part of Canada’s identity.
Basketball – A Growing Favourite
Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada. The Toronto Raptors, the only Canadian team in the NBA, have played a big role in this growth. When the Raptors won the NBA Championship in 2019, the whole country celebrated.
Now, basketball courts in schools, colleges, and parks are always busy. Many young Canadians choose basketball because it is easy to learn and fun to play.
Soccer (Football) – Popular Among Youth
Soccer is the most played sport among Canadian children and teenagers. It is easy to start, affordable, and loved by families.
Canada has three teams in Major League Soccer (MLS):
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps
CF Montréal
Soccer is becoming even more popular because Canada is one of the host countries for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This has created a lot of excitement and support for the sport.
Baseball – A Classic Summer Sport
Baseball is a favourite summer activity in Canada. Families enjoy going to baseball games and spending time outdoors in warm weather.
The Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s only MLB (Major League Baseball) team. Their home games in Toronto attract thousands of fans. Many kids also join summer baseball camps to learn the sport.
Canadian Football – Canada’s Own Style
Canadian football is similar to American football but with a few differences, like a larger field and three downs instead of four.
The CFL (Canadian Football League) is the main league in Canada. The Grey Cup, the CFL’s final game, is one of the biggest sports events in the country. Millions of Canadians watch it every year.
Lacrosse – Canada’s Official Summer Sport
Many people are surprised to learn that lacrosse is Canada’s official summer sport. It has a long history and comes from Indigenous communities.
Lacrosse is fast-paced and exciting to watch. It requires teamwork, speed, and strong skills. The sport has a loyal fan base and continues to grow.
Curling – A Popular Winter Sport
Curling is very popular in small towns and communities across Canada. It is played on ice, where players slide heavy stones toward a target while teammates sweep the ice to guide the stone.
Curling might look slow, but it involves strategy, precision, and teamwork. Canada has won many world championships in curling, making the country proud.
Ice Skating and Figure Skating
Because Canada has long winters, ice skating is a common activity for all ages. People skate in arenas, outdoor rinks, and even frozen lakes.
Figure skating is also well-loved, both as a recreational sport and professional competition. Many Canadian figure skaters have won international medals.
Why Are Sports So Important in Canada?
Sports play a big role in Canadian culture for many reasons:
Long winter seasons encourage winter sports
Conclusion
Canada has a rich and diverse sports culture. Whether it’s the fast action of ice hockey, the growing excitement of basketball, or the family-friendly fun of baseball and soccer, sports bring Canadians together. If you want to understand Canada better, learning about its sports is a great place to start.