It’s official: Canadians love their sports, and the numbers back it up. According to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by The Strategic Counsel, more than three-quarters of Canadians consider themselves sports fans. That’s right—77 per cent of respondents declared their passion for sports, with nearly a third (29 per cent) proudly wearing the badge of “big fans.” Whether it’s the thrill of overtime hockey or the drama of a last-second touchdown, sports pulse through the veins of the nation.
The survey, which involved detailed interviews with 3,240 Canadians from coast to coast and in both official languages, offers a fascinating look at the country’s sporting allegiances. Conducted between March 15 and March 22, 2025, the study provides a snapshot of what leagues, teams, and athletes are capturing Canadian hearts and attention right now.
Leading the pack—perhaps to no one’s surprise—is the National Hockey League. A whopping 58 per cent of Canadians say they follow the NHL, cementing its place as the country’s most beloved professional sports league. Hockey’s status as a national pastime remains unshakable, even in an era of expanding sports options and global influences.
But the NHL isn’t skating alone. The National Football League claims a strong second-place finish, with 37 per cent of respondents reporting they follow the league. Major League Baseball comes in close behind at 34 per cent, while the Canadian Football League and the NBA round out the top five at 32 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively. It’s a testament to the diverse sporting interests across Canada—fans aren’t just sticking to one ice or field.
And what about the speedsters and the net crushers? Formula One auto racing races into sixth place with 24 per cent, followed by professional tennis at 20 per cent. The PGA Tour and Major League Soccer are tied for eighth, and rounding out the top ten are the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. That’s quite the lineup, reflecting a nation that’s as comfortable cheering for a slapshot as it is for a checkered flag or a knockout punch.
If you dig a little deeper, the regional love for hockey only gets stronger. The survey notes that if major junior hockey were included among the pro leagues, the Western Hockey League would rank sixth in Western Canada, and the Ontario Hockey League would claim the same spot in Ontario. Junior hockey’s grassroots appeal is clearly alive and well, feeding the pipeline of future stars and stoking local pride.
What about Canada’s women sports fans? The survey reveals that half of Canadian women (50 per cent) follow the NHL, making it the most popular league among women as well as men. The NFL (26 per cent), MLB (23 per cent), CFL (22 per cent), and NBA (22 per cent) fill out the rest of the top five for women. But here’s a twist: the PWHL, barely two years old, is already making waves. One in six Canadian women—15 per cent—are fans of the league, putting it ahead of established organizations like Major League Soccer and the PGA Tour. That’s a rapid rise for a new league and a sign of changing tides in the sports world.
Women’s professional sports are clearly on the upswing. The WNBA is currently followed by 11 per cent of Canadian women, but anticipation is building for next year’s launch of the Toronto Tempo. A remarkable 27 per cent of women say they’re interested in following the new team, suggesting a potential surge in basketball fandom. Meanwhile, the Northern Super League—a professional women’s soccer league that held its first match in April 2025—is already turning heads, with 28 per cent of women nationwide expressing interest in following the league. The appetite for women’s sports is growing, and leagues are stepping up to deliver.
So, who are the athletes at the top of Canada’s sports pyramid? Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid takes the crown as the nation’s favourite athlete. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby isn’t far behind, with soccer icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi claiming third and fourth place, respectively. Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews rounds out the top five. These names are household staples, but regional heroes also shine bright.
In Quebec, Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield leads the list of favourite athletes, with Montreal tennis standout Felix Auger-Aliassime and Marie-Philip Poulin of the Montreal Victoire also cracking the top ten. Meanwhile, in the Atlantic provinces, Sidney Crosby is the undisputed favourite, his roots in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, fueling local pride. St. John’s curler Brad Gushue and Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand, originally from Halifax, also make the top ten, highlighting the deep connection between athletes and their home regions.
It’s not just about the pros, either. If you’re a fan of junior hockey, you’re in good company—many Canadians are right there with you. The survey’s findings suggest that if the Western Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League were included in the national rankings, they’d be among the most-followed leagues in their respective regions. That’s a testament to the enduring appeal of grassroots hockey and the dreams of seeing local players rise to the big leagues.
With so much passion for sports across the country, what about those who don’t follow any leagues? Twenty-three per cent of respondents identified as non-fans, admitting they don’t keep up with any leagues, not even occasionally. Still, with 77 per cent identifying as fans—and nearly half describing themselves as either casual followers of multiple leagues or big fans of just one—it’s clear that sports remain a major thread in the fabric of Canadian life.
The survey, conducted in both English and French and published by The Canadian Press on September 5, 2025, offers a timely look at the ever-evolving landscape of Canadian sports fandom. Online surveys like this one can’t be assigned a margin of error, since they don’t randomly sample the population, but the breadth of responses paints a compelling picture of the nation’s sporting soul.
As leagues like the PWHL, WNBA, and the Northern Super League continue to grow, and with new teams like the Toronto Tempo on the horizon, Canadian sports fans have more choices—and more reasons to cheer—than ever before. Whether you’re a die-hard hockey devotee, a casual football watcher, or a newcomer to women’s soccer, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic sporting landscape.
One thing’s for sure: with the NHL still leading the charge and new leagues gaining ground, Canada’s love affair with sports shows no sign of cooling off. The next chapter of Canadian sports fandom promises to be just as thrilling as the last.