If you love sports, the Canadian gaming scene is one you should explore. The country is known for taking part in several games that we will review further. If you thought that’s it, then you are in for a treat!
Canadians have also adopted a very positive attitude towards video gaming and esports. So without further ado, let’s dive into the top sports in Canada.
1. Ice Hockey
While this is not a world favorite like soccer or basketball, Canadians sure love their ice hockey, and they have the Olympic medals to back it up. In this country, ice hockey is the official national winter sport.
Canada boasts 23 Olympic medals, with 14 being gold, making them the only country to enjoy such success in the sport. And why wouldn’t they? Canadians generally claim the birth of the game, making it more popular.
They have over 7,000 rinks countrywide to enable the furtherance of the game. Some of the famous National Hockey League teams include the Montreal Canadiens, Utah Hockey Club, and the Arizona Coyotes.
NHL is trying to expand even more to cater to a more wider, international audience. With upcoming, new, and never-before-seen events such as the 2025 4 Nations face-off, fans are entering discussions, projections, and online debates and are exploring different options such as various Ontario Sportsbooks to get in on the action.
2. Football
If you aren’t a football fan, visit Canada, and perhaps they will change your perception. If you are a fanatic, though, mentioning football might cause you to immediately think of the Super Bowl. While Canadians do follow these events, they generally watch their national version, the Canadian Football League, more.
Statistically, football is the second most popular sport in Canada, with 33% of the population identifying as fans. This figure, however, is expected with college and varsity games also contributing to the score.
3. Basketball
Hooping isn’t a foreign concept in Canada. Canadians began paying attention to the sport in the 20th century, and successful Canadian NBA players had a big role to play in this.
You’ve probably heard of big shots like RJ Barrett, Benedict Mathurin, and Dillon Brooks, who bring the heat whenever they play. The rise in basketball popularity even saw the country’s national team win the FIBA World Cup in 2023. Federations like the AAU Circuit and Canada Basketball are also to thank for this change.
4. NHL 24
And just to serve as icing on top of the cake, yes, you guessed it. A video game about ice hockey. NHL 24 is a successful franchise featuring realistic gameplay found in most gaming manufacturers, including PlayStation and Xbox.
Playing this title will give you a chance to experience what ice hockey feels like. The only difference is you will be calling the shots. You can even play with your friends and place friendly wagers.
5. FIFA
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially considering that Canadians love soccer. The franchise is one of the most-played titles globally and this is evident in Canada too. What makes it most watched is the improvement in gameplay that we receive with each drop.
Aspects like visuals, hypermotion, and even the VFX sounds make this game to die for. Additionally, Canada hosts several tournaments where young talent turn up to display their prowess in the controller.
6. Fortnite
Gather around, esports fans, because we didn’t fail to include you as well. The Canadian esports niche has massively boomed in recent years.
Canada is a country big on gaming and with a sports fan base so big it could constitute the entire state. With ice hockey ranking as the most viewed sport and the likes of football and basketball following, Canadians show no signs of slowing down in their love for games.
Final Thoughts
In the video gaming niche, titles like FIFA and Fortnite emerge as the winners. This may, however, change with time due to shifts in trends. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Let us know in the comment section below if you think we missed anything. Are you from Canada? Educate us Americans on the most popular sports or esports in the north.
