Hockey continues to hold its position as Canada’s most popular sport, even with the increased attention surrounding the FIFA World Cup and the nation’s participation, according to a recent survey. The findings indicate that while soccer is gaining traction, particularly among younger demographics, ice hockey maintains a significant lead in national sports preferences.

Hockey’s Enduring Popularity

A survey conducted by Leger for the Association of Canadian Studies aimed to gauge the impact of the FIFA World Cup’s heightened visibility on Canadians’ sports allegiances. The results, gathered between July 10-12, reaffirm hockey’s dominance in the country’s sports landscape. Jack Jedwab, president and CEO of the Association of Canadian Studies, noted that while soccer is establishing a stronger presence, hockey remains the top choice for most Canadians.

The survey revealed that hockey’s appeal is relatively consistent across genders. It is particularly popular among Canadians aged 18-24, with 43 percent identifying it as their favorite sport. While its popularity slightly decreases in older age groups, it consistently ranks as the leading sport nationwide.

Age and Sports Preferences

Jedwab suggested that sports preferences tend to diversify after the age of 25. For Canadians between 25 and 44, there’s a more even distribution of interest across various sports, including soccer, basketball, baseball, and football. This broader engagement, he explained, likely stems from increased exposure to a wider array of professional sports leagues and international competitions.

Soccer, while growing, garnered significantly less support overall. It was favored by 13 percent of younger Canadians (18-24) and a smaller percentage among all other age demographics, including those aged 24 to 65 and older. Jedwab attributed the higher soccer preference among the 18-24 group to the renewed interest generated by the World Cup and Canada’s involvement, noting a stronger correlation between playing and watching a sport in younger individuals.

Regional Variations in Sports Fandom

Hockey’s dominance is evident across most regions of Canada, with the exception of Ontario. The sport registered strong support in Atlantic Canada (36 percent), Quebec (45 percent), the Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) at 40 percent, and British Columbia at 37 percent.

Ontario’s Diverse Sports Market

In Ontario, hockey’s popularity dips to 29 percent. Jedwab pointed to the province’s more varied sports offerings and its demographic makeup as contributing factors. “Ontario’s more varied sports preferences likely reflect both its demographic diversity and higher rate of first- and second-generation families as well as the larger number of professional sports teams,” he stated. Residents in Ontario have substantial exposure to a range of sports, including hockey, baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. Furthermore, many Ontarians come from cultural backgrounds where sports other than hockey are traditionally more prominent.

Quebec and Language Influences

Within Quebec, hockey stands out as the leading sport. Baseball, however, shows a stronger resonance among English-speaking Canadians. Soccer’s popularity is highest among Canadians whose first language is neither French nor English. The presence of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, Jedwab suggested, contributes to baseball’s greater popularity in Ontario compared to other parts of the country.

Education and Income Correlates

The survey data also suggested a correlation between education level and sports preferences. Hockey was favored by 41 percent of Canadians with a high school diploma, 37 percent of college graduates, and 31 percent of those with a university degree. Conversely, soccer’s popularity increased slightly with higher education, though at much lower overall numbers: 12 percent among university graduates, 6 percent among college graduates, and 7 percent among those with a high school diploma.

Jedwab posited that university-educated Canadians are more likely to reside in large, diverse urban centers, which often provide greater exposure to international sports like soccer and basketball. He clarified that higher education might not be a direct cause but rather an indicator of factors such as urban living, immigration, cultural diversity, and broader media consumption.

Interestingly, the data also indicated that Canadians in higher income brackets, earning between $80,000-$99,000 and $100,000 or more annually, were the most likely to follow sports in general.

Survey Methodology

The survey included 1,505 respondents across Canada. It’s important to note that a margin of error cannot be precisely calculated for this non-probability panel survey. For comparative purposes, a probability sample of 1,505 respondents would typically have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

Conclusion

While the FIFA World Cup has undoubtedly increased the visibility of soccer in Canada, the survey results clearly demonstrate that hockey remains deeply embedded in the national identity and sports culture. The sport’s broad appeal across age groups and regions, coupled with its strong historical significance, ensures its continued reign as Canada’s favorite pastime, even as other sports carve out their own dedicated fan bases.