A new survey finds the NHL remains Canada’s most popular pro league, with strong support among women and stars like McDavid and Crosby leading the way.
Survey Results Highlight Hockey’s Dominance
A nationwide survey has confirmed that the National Hockey League remains Canada’s most popular professional sports league. Conducted by The Strategic Counsel between March 15 and 22, the poll gathered insights from 3,240 Canadians in both English and French, with 77 per cent of respondents identifying as sports fans.
Measuring Fan Engagement Across the Country
Among those surveyed, 58 per cent said they follow the NHL, placing hockey well ahead of other major leagues. The NFL ranked second with 37 per cent, followed by Major League Baseball at 34 per cent, the CFL at 32 per cent, and the NBA at 29 per cent. Formula One, professional tennis, the PGA Tour, Major League Soccer, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), and UFC rounded out the top 10.
Regional Variations in Support
While the NHL dominated nationally, local preferences also emerged. In Western Canada, the Western Hockey League would rank sixth if considered alongside pro leagues. Similarly, Ontario’s OHL would also place sixth in its region. In Quebec, favourites included Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, tennis star Félix Auger-Aliassime, and hockey icon Marie-Philip Poulin.
Women Fans Driving Growth
The NHL’s appeal extends strongly to women, with half of all Canadian women surveyed saying they follow the league. Other popular choices among women included the NFL (26 per cent), MLB (23 per cent), and both the CFL and NBA at 22 per cent. The PWHL ranked seventh with 15 per cent, a notable achievement for a league less than two years old. Interest is also building around new ventures such as the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA and the Northern Super League in women’s soccer, which could further diversify fandom.
Why Hockey Still Leads
Hockey’s dominance reflects both tradition and star power. Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid was named the country’s favourite athlete, followed by Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. Soccer icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi also made the list, while Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews rounded out the national top five. Regional pride played a role too, with Nova Scotians rallying behind Crosby and Newfoundland’s Brad Gushue earning recognition in curling.
Looking Ahead
While online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error, the findings show that hockey maintains a cultural stronghold in Canada, even as other leagues make gains. With rising interest in women’s professional sports and global leagues like Formula One capturing new fans, the NHL remains firmly at the top — a reminder that, for now, hockey is still Canada’s game.
Stay connected with Canada’s latest headlines — follow Maple News Wire on Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn.
