Canada is home to a wealth of sports, with athletes competing at the top level across several sporting events. Winter sports are some of the most popular in terms of viewership but what about betting? Continue below as we highlight Canada’s most popular sports for betting.
Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada and over 20% of Canadian’s list Ice Hockey as their favourite sport. From the National Hockey League and Professional Women’s Hockey League to U Sports Hockey and the Canadian Junior Hockey League, ice hockey is being played at all levels across Canada. Therefore, it will come as no surprise to learn that Ice Hockey is also the most popular sport in Canada for bettors. The NHL season can last for nine months and there are over 80 games on which to bet for each team in the regular season alone. The fast pace of ice hockey means it is perfect for betting and there is a range of diverse betting markets. With television coverage of at least one ice hockey game per night in Canada, it makes it easy for bettors to follow the action live and have a wager.
Basketball
The inventor of basketball, James Naismith, was born in Canada and the initial form of the sport was developed in the country. The National Basketball Association may feature only one team from Canada but that has not dampened the enthusiasm of basketball fans in Canada, especially in terms of betting on the sport.
Though the NBA has just one Canadian team, the Toronto Raptors, that hasn’t dimmed the passion of basketball fans across the country—especially when it comes to betting. The Raptors made history by reaching the 2019 NBA Finals and winning 4-2 against the Golden State Warriors, and they’re still going strong today. Ontario sports betting sites feature betting on Raptors games as well as other NBA franchises, complete with special promotions.
Soccer
Soccer is a rising sport in Canada and the fact the team qualified for the 2022 World Cup propelled the sport to new levels in the country. As hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Canada will be hoping to take advantage of playing at home to progress to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in their history. The Canadian Premier League continues to grow with Atlético Ottawa and Vancouver FC participating in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2026. All the top European leagues are available to watch live in Canada, with many matches taking place in the morning on weekends. That is perfect for sports fans who want to relax and have a wager on the action before going out.
Some of the other leading sports for betting in Canada include Baseball, Tennis, Golf, Boxing, Lacrosse, eSports, and UFC. Many Canadian bettors also enjoy a wager on the Winter Olympics and other winter events throughout the season, such as the X Games.
