That’s a well-known fact that Canada is famous for hockey and how it’s a popular sport in the country. It’s not just an opinion – the numbers say for themselves. There are 513,674 registered ice hockey players in Canada which is one of the highest in the world, and 22% of Canadians say it’s their preferred sport.

However, this country is not just about hockey; several other sports with significant cultural heritage have the same place in every Canadian’s heart. Even though these sports might not be known in Canada as a spotlight, they still are a recreational activity enjoyed by locals; some of which they still excel at globally. In this blog, we are going to explore Canada apart from Hockey and take a deep dive into its cultural and sporting identity.

Poker Is One Of The Most Loved Games

Canadians have a spot in the world as some of the nicest humans on Earth, but they still have a wild side to them. And this is in the form of poker. For Canadians, poker isn’t just done for gambling; they see it more as a form of entertainment that is celebrated among families and social circles. Since poker involves a lot of skill and strategy, Canadians prefer the game as a means to pass the time. It’s evident from the fact that there are over 19.3 million active players from Canada enjoying online poker right from their homes.

Family and tradition play a huge role in Canadian culture, and this calls for a lot of family nights. In this sage, poker plays an important role in bringing friends and family together and having a fun night. There aren’t many stakes or wagering happening; just people coming together and having a friendly Texas Hold’em round or a classic five-card draw. Many also invest in quality poker sets so it’s not uncommon to see lively poker tables during gatherings.

This family entertainment has also led some to get to know poker at an early age when they learn the game from their youth and carry forward the skills when they are adults. This helped many enthusiasts to join active poker tournaments or communities where they could show off their skills and build careers out of them.

Lacrosse: Canada’s Oldest Sport

Lacrosse is another sport on the list that is Canada’s favorite after hockey, of course. It is the official national summer sport and originated from the indigenous communities of the country where the sport was enjoyed as a ceremonial activity. But then it grew to involve large teams and served as a way to resolve disputes or celebrate traditions.

Lacrosse continues to thrive in Canada’s sporting culture with many organized leagues at local and national levels. There are over 100,000 players registered for the sport and had undergone several adaptations to make it an exciting sport for fans and players alike.

Curling: A Winter Classic

Curling is another game that is still being enjoyed as Canada’s signature game. It’s also called “chess on ice” since it involves sliding stones across the ice toward a target. Many curling clubs and leagues provide a sense of community for all ages.

Canada has innovated curling with significant investments that make it a winter classic; 90% of the world’s ice curlers are from Canada and there are over 1000 curling rinks spread across the country. Over one million Canadians take part in curling every year, with over 100,000 players officially registered. Curling has a special place in every Canadian’s heart since it involves a lot of teamwork and sportsmanship that has created special memories and moments that people still hold on to today.

Soccer: A Growing Passion

Soccer might not be the first thing that comes to mind when speaking about Canada’s sporting culture, but it is becoming popular among the younger generation a lot these days. In fact, the popularity increased more when the country was announced as the co-host for the next FIFA World Cup happening in 2026 which has made Canadians curious about the sport.

Their appearance in the last World Cup in 2022 has created more interest in the sport and increased the participation rate in youth leagues and viewership of international matches. In 2024, over 18.7 million Canadians watched the Copa America and Euro 2024. This goes to show that Canadians are still interested in the sport and love watching tournaments and popular matches, even if the sport is not popular back home.

To sum up, even though hockey remains Canada’s most popular and loved sport, you can explore other sports that reveal more of its culture. Surely, sports may not be the most important thing for everyone to know before visiting the country but we know how important it is for sports fans who always look for like-minded people. And finally, it all comes down to understanding the country’s sporting tradition to see why the land of beauty is so special.

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