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In this post, we will check out the top 10 most popular sports in Canada in 2023.

Canada is a sports-loving nation with a rich history of athletic excellence. From ice hockey to basketball, Canadians have a deep passion for a wide variety of sports. In 2023, several sports continue to capture the attention and imagination of Canadians.

Ice hockey is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Canada and has been for decades. It’s not just a game, but a cultural phenomenon that’s deeply ingrained in Canadian identity.

However, there are several other sports that are growing in popularity and have their own dedicated fan bases.

Soccer is also gaining traction in Canada, with the country hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in collaboration with the United States and Mexico.

Meanwhile, basketball continues to grow in popularity thanks to the success of Canadian players in the NBA.

Other sports like football, baseball, and lacrosse also have a dedicated following in Canada. Additionally, winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and curling are popular in regions with colder climates.

Overall, Canadians are passionate about sports and continue to support their favorite teams and athletes year-round.

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In Canada 2023

10. Golf

Golf is a sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible.

It is played on many different types of courses, each with its own distinct layout, where the primary objective is to hit the ball into the hole within a certain number of strokes.

The golfer who manages this putt from close range wins the hole and receives one stroke. If his opponent then makes no mistake, he will still be playing for two more bets than his opponent.

Courses typically have either 18 or 9 holes, areas of terrain that each contains a cup, the hole that receives the ball.

Each hole on a course contains a teeing ground to start from, and a putting green containing the cup. Golf is number 10 in our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada.

9. Curling

Curling is a sport played on ice that involves sliding stones down a sheet of ice toward the center of a target.

It is related to bowls, boules, and shuffleboard. Two teams, each with four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called rocks, across the ice curling sheet toward the house, a circular target marked on the ice.

Each team has eight stones, with each player throwing two. The goal is to hoard the highest score for a game.

The world curling championship has been sponsored by Ford Canada since 1995 and it was comprehended as the Ford World Curling Championship. Curling is number 9 on our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada.

8. Basketball

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Canada. It’s also one of the most popular sports in the world.

Basketball is played by two teams of five players each on a rectangular court. Players attempt to throw or “shoot” a ball through one of these hoops during play; this practice is known as shooting from beyond the three-point line.

The team with the most points at the end of the game wins, but if regulation play expires with the score tied, an additional period of play is mandated.

Basketball has grown to become one of the world’s most popular and widely viewed sports.

On the global stage, Canada partakes in different international basketball tournaments which include FIBA Basketball World Cup and the summer Olympics. 

7. Rugby

Rugby is a contact sport that originated in England in the 19th century and has since spread to over 101 countries worldwide.

It’s played by people of all genders. The Canadian rugby league hosts several domestic and professional competitions.

The rugby union lures as many as 13,000 senior players all over the country. On the international stage, Canada is considered a tier-two rugby nation. 

In Canada, there are about 29,000 rugby players. Rugby is number 7 in our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada.

6. Soccer

You may not realize this, but Soccer is the most popular sport in Canada. It has a long history in our country, and even today it’s the official national sport of Canada.

Canada’s national soccer team is currently ranked 41st globally by FIFA—a testament to their dedication to excellence.

The passion and emotions soccer games bring can be noticed in Canada. Canada has risen to become a competitor in soccer tournaments. 

In Canada, soccer is played in the Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer. Soccer is number 6 in our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada.

5. Cricket

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a cricket field, at the center of which is a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch.

The objective is to score runs by striking the ball with a bat and hitting it within the perimeter boundary of the field.

The striker batsman must be vigilant in his approach, as it’s not easy to hit this round ball right on target.

The batting side scores runs by hitting the ball bowled at one of the wickets with the bat and then running between the wickets, while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this and dismiss each batter.

Cricket in Canada is governed by Cricket Canada, founded in 1892. The game is number 5 in our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada.

4. Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of nine players each on a field at the center of which is a rectangular 20-inch (51 cm) square with rounded corners, known as the diamond.

The goal of the game is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of the diamond.

Players on the batting team take turns hitting against a pitcher who stands in one of two rubber-mound-shaped areas called an infield.

The country has only one Major League, the Toronto Blue Jays. Baseball is number 4 in our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada.

3. Canadian Football

Canadian Football is a very popular sport in Canada. It’s played by two teams of 12 players each, and the field is shaped like an elongated rectangle with goalposts at each end.

The CFL is the most famous and only major professional Canadian football league. Its championship game, the Grey Cup, is one of Canada’s largest sporting events, drawing a broad television audience.

In 2014, the sport has 5.1 million viewers in the fourth quarter. While the sport is played at the semi-professional level in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

It is also played at high school, junior, and collegiate levels. Canadian Football is number 3 in our list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada in 2023.

2. Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a team sport played between two teams of 10 players each, with a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick.

Players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch, and shoot the ball into the goal. 

The men’s games, field lacrosse (outdoor), and box lacrosse (indoor) are contact sports and all players wear protective gear which includes helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, and elbow pads.

Lacrosse is governed by the Canadian Lacrosse Association formed in 1925. There are two professional lacrosse leagues in the country, the National Lacrosse League for the box lacrosse league and the Major League Lacrosse for the field lacrosse league. 

1. Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport.

In ice hockey, two opposite teams use ice hockey sticks to control, advance, and shoot rubber discs called “pucks” into the other team’s goal.

The team which scores the most goals is publicized as the winner. Ice hockey was developed in Canada, most notably in Montreal, where the first indoor game was played on March 3, 1875.

Ice hockey is governed by Hockey Canada. The 2018 NHL playoffs were considered by about 68% of the Canadian population. Ice Hockey tops the list of the top 10 most popular sports in Canada in 2023.

Conclusion

The list of the most popular sports in Canada is quite diverse, but one thing is for sure: you won’t be disappointed.

There are so many options that anyone can find something that suits their tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or prefer something more relaxing like golf, there is something here for everyone!