Ice hockey is widely associated with Canada. Ask anyone around the world which country they would immediately think of when asked to pair it with the sport and the Great White North will often be the chosen answer.
It’s a game that has become ingrained in Canadian culture over history. It’s one that many have watched or played while growing up, with many continuing to do so. However, it’s possible to notice that there has been a growing trend in the popularity of other sports, which has arguably led to the decline of the game that has been associated as the national sport.
With the perceived decline that is being experienced, does the sport of ice hockey continue to dominate the Canadian sports market? Or has it lost its position with the rise of other sports and their popularity with the population of the Great White North?
Ice hockey is still favored but not by much
There is no denying that ice hockey is still a hugely popular market for Canadians. Whether it be playing the sport, or watching the matches played in the NHL and placing wagers on the available betting sites Canada has available to punters, there are still many who continue to enjoy the action that takes place on the ice.
According to research analysts Statista, the sport is still the most popular in the country in terms of its interest. However, they noted that there had been a rise in the popularity of soccer and basketball when putting together the results they collected in October 2023. In fact, while it had the most interest, it didn’t rank in the top three in terms of participation. Soccer, basketball and golf were above the sport.
However, it does appear that there is still an element of pride and importance placed on the sport at a national level. A different report by the same group found that 74% of respondents acknowledged the importance of the sport regarding the country’s identity. 39% of respondents had felt it was ‘somewhat important’ whereas 35% responded ‘very important’. Interestingly, a quarter of those surveyed felt that it didn’t have any importance or very little significance, suggesting that there may be a decline in the sport at home.
Depending on the vast size of Canada, the dominance of the sports market can differ for the sport in different locations. Alberta was found to be the most enthusiastic and loyal to ice hockey, as 44.7% of respondents said they had followed the sport in 2023 when surveyed. This was followed by Quebec (37.9%), Atlantic Canada (37.7%), Ontario (24.3%) and British Columbia (24.3%). Conversely, British Columbia had the largest share of respondents who said that they were fans of the NHL (43%), compared to just under one-third of those in Quebec.
Does ice hockey still have a bright future in Canada?
It’s easy to suggest that the apparent decline regarding the domination of the sports market that ice hockey has been able to have over the years can be due to the growth of other sports in the country.
For instance, with baseball and basketball being popular in Ontario due to the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors and the successes they’ve had over the years, it can easily take away from hockey in some form.
However, figures would also suggest that the game isn’t going anywhere and may even recapture its dominance in the future. It’s still the most popular sport for people between 18 and 24, with 21.8% of people watching it closely. This beats basketball and soccer, with just 17.6% and 12.4% of this demographic watching these activities closely.
Attendance figures for some Canadian franchises have also been on the rise, which suggests the market is doing just fine. The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers were among the teams to have the highest average attendances in the league throughout the 2023-24 season, with the average NFL attendance being 17,433. In addition, games across the league increased in terms of their sell-out rates, jumping from 62% to 67%.
Ice hockey won’t go anywhere
Given the historical and cultural significance of the sport in Canada, the market is likely to continue to feature ice hockey in a prominent position.
It’s normal for there to be changes over time due to the rise of new games and sports. As interest in these games increases, it will reduce the market domination of those that pre-existed.
However, ice hockey is showing that it remains widely enjoyed and favored by many, and with attendances on the rise and the next generation of sports fans seemingly favoring it, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the sport were to dominate the market again in the future.
The Edmonton Oilers’ appearance in the Stanley Cup finals last season may have been enough to reignite the interest. However, with a Canadian team having last won it in 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings, perhaps a team from the Great White North needs to win soon for the sport to dominate the market again.
Image credit: Pixabay
