Canada is now known for its wide range of games and sports. The nation has proven its reign in international sports and the Olympics. In Canada, winter sports are extremely popular worldwide. Sports are important to Canadians not only for enjoyment but also for strengthening national unity and bonding.
People in the nation have the best opportunity to showcase their abilities and establish themselves in international competitions through a variety of sporting events. Let’s find out more about the popular sports in Canada.
Top 10 Most Popular Sports In Canada
1. Ice Hockey
In Canada, hockey is a yearly activity at every level. Canada’s popular past time, Ice hockey, dates back to the 19th century and is enjoyed by people of all ages. The Allan Cup for senior men and the Memorial Cup for junior men are two of the most well-known national championship trophies in the nation. Across the nation, divisional championships are also held. Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, is the organisation that oversees hockey. The men’s Canadian hockey national team plays in international competitions such as the Olympics.
2. Rugby Football
In Canada, football is a popular field sport in which two teams of twelve players each compete. Rugby football served as the country’s original form of football before evolving into Canadian football. The Canadian Football League is the main professional football league in the nation, and Football Canada oversees armature play. One of the major football competitions in the nation, the Grey Cup draws millions of TV viewers. In addition, the sport is played nationally at the school and college levels. Also, in the summer, it is played at the senior league level.
3. Basketball
James Naismith, a Canadian, invented basketball, and it has come full circle as its popularity soars in its home. Canadians are fascinated with the sport because of its worldwide attraction and special mix of athleticism, skill, and strategy.
The historic NBA Championship victory by the Toronto Raptors in 2019 further increased basketball’s popularity in Canada. Canada’s Steve Nash, a two-time NBA MVP, still regarded as a legendary player, is an inspiration to young athletes.
There are no signs that basketball, which is becoming a more popular sport in Canada, will slow down. This is because the nation regularly develops elite players and devoted supporters.
4. Lacrosse
Lacrosse became a popular summer sport in 1994 after being designated as Canada’s national game in 1859. Thousands of people play it all around Canada. The Canadian Lacrosse Association came into existence in 1925 to run lacrosse.
The National Lacrosse League, which handles box lacrosse, and Major League Lacrosse, which handles field lacrosse, are the two professional lacrosse leagues in this country. In the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship final, Canada defeated the US 15–10, ending the US’s 28-year winning streak.
5. Soccer
In Canada, football has grown in popularity throughout the years. Though the rules for playing football changed throughout Canada, the basics of the game remained the same. In October 1876, two local clubs in Toronto played the first-ever football match. The Canadian women’s football team has had a great deal of success on the global stage. The squad made it to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and played very well during the entire competition.
In the semifinal match, they played the highly popular United States and ended up losing 4-3 in overtime. However, the United States went on to win due to a few difficult choices made against Canada. Nevertheless, after defeating France 1-0, Canada took third place and won a bronze medal. Canada hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and it lasted for a month.
6. Rugby
Rugby comes in at number six on our list of most popular sports in Canada. It’s likely that the Royal Navy brought rugby to Canada in 1823 and pushed its spread throughout the nation. Even though the national squad was formed and there was a return of domestic competition, the game was almost gone from the nation.
The Canadian Rugby League holds numerous amateur and professional competitions. There are four regional teams competing in the tournament for the rugby union. Over 13,000 senior players and a number of junior players have joined the rugby union nationwide, particularly in British Columbia.
7. Curling
One sport that is popular in Canada is curling. Canada has a large number of famous curling teams, most of which are in Alberta and Manitoba. Curling is a popular sport in the Prairie Provinces. Curling originated in Scotland and has long been tied to the armed forces in Canada.
The Tim Hortons Brier is the national curling championship for men, and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts is the title for women. This is one of the most aired women’s sports in Canada, and the ladies play in it as well. Ford Canada sponsored the international curling tournament since 1995, when it was the Ford international Curling tournament.
8. Tennis
Another popular sport in Canada is tennis. “Tennis Canada” is the name of the association that is in charge of tennis in Canada. By encouraging tennis involvement at the local, national, and international levels, the organisation continues to promote its commitment to the development of the game in Canada.
It’s interesting to note that from more than 1.2 million in 1998 to over 1.7 million in 2001, more Canadians than ever played tennis more than four times year. Fifty percent of them are under 25 years old. Tennis is a famous and popular sport; it comes in at number eight on our list of the top ten sports in Canada.
9. Cricket
The sport, cricket, is number nine on our list of most popular sports in Canada.
The Canadian national team can take part in one-day International Matches, even though it has no permission to play in Test Matches. The U-19 squad from the nation played in three U-19 World Cup games and is proud of a highly competitive women’s cricket team.
Founded in 1892, Cricket Canada is responsible for overseeing cricket in Canada. In addition to introducing the Scotia Shield U-19 and National T20 Championship home championships, the organisation hosts local interprovincial games.
10. Baseball
Baseball, one of the most popular sports in Canada, has been played there since the beginning. At Labatt Park in Ontario, there is still a baseball field in use that is the oldest in the world. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only Major League team in the nation. Several big league teams have visited more than 70 Canadian communities.
There are also a number of independent league teams in the nation that compete in the American Association and the Can-Am League. Baseball Canada, which has its headquarters in Ottawa, is in charge of baseball in Canada. The Canadian national baseball team is another team that represents Canada in the international tournament.
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