Sports is a big thing in Vancouver. Just look at its professional and semi-professional sports teams. You have the NHL (National Hockey League) Vancouver Canucks, the MLS (Major League Soccer) Whitecaps, and the NLL (National Lacrosse League) Stealth, to name a few.
The city has also hosted numerous world-class sporting events, including the World Rugby Sevens Series, the International Skating Union competitions, the 2010 Olympic Games, and the 2010 Paralympic Games. Not to mention the sporting events you can attend all year-round.
So yes, Vancouverites love sports. With tons of options available, that may not be surprising at all. But, which ones are beloved by Vancouverites? With an abundance of ice in Vancouver, I am going to guess hockey might be at the top.These are the most popular sports in Vancouver.
Ice Hockey
Perhaps one of the most popular sports in Vancouver is ice hockey. It has even been called “the heartbeat of Canada” by a local publication.
The 1800s saw the first iteration of hockey, but it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the sport gained a national audience. Since then, professional hockey has become associated with the country’s national identity.
Today, Canada has several hockey teams under the National Hockey League (NHL), including Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the city’s very own Vancouver Canucks. These teams compete yearly for the coveted Stanley Cup, with millions of viewers watching the championship or final series. Many also place their bets on their favorite teams.
Outside the professional stadiums or arenas, hockey also thrives among the younger generation. Across the country, the next generation of hockey players are being trained through youth hockey programs, college teams, and amateur leagues.
Soccer
Soccer is another sport famous in Vancouver. In terms of popularity, it is gaining traction and has, in fact, already won the hearts of young Canadians.
According to the 2023 Canadian Youth Sports Report, 16 percent of Canada’s youth between 3 and 17 years old participate in organized soccer. This is equivalent to 1 million out of the 6.1 million children in Canada. Hockey only came up to third place, while swimming took the second spot.
A recent contributor to this upsurge in interest in the sport is the gold medal won by the Canadian women’s national team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This interest is only expected to climb, especially in Vancouver, as the city will host the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026.
In the meantime, fans can content themselves by tuning in to the MLS season, which runs from March to October. Vancouver’s professional soccer club is the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Baseball
During summertime, baseball is a popular pastime enjoyed by the whole Canadian family. In June, baseball fans can start watching the Vancouver Canadians, the city’s minor league baseball team. The team plays at the Nat Bailey Stadium until September.
The Vancouver Canadians are an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. The Jays’ victories in the World Series is a major reason why baseball enjoys a dedicated following in the country. Their 1992 and 1993 wins are iconic moments treasured by Canadian sports fans.
However, Japanese Canadians and those who know their baseball history well will never forget the legendary Vancouver Asahi team. “Brain ball” was the name of their brand of baseball play, which included stolen bases and well-timed bunts.
In addition to the Toronto Blue Jays, baseball culture is kept alive and kicking by minor league teams, local clubs, and youth leagues.
Canadian Football
Similar to baseball, football is also a cherished tradition in the country. The first night game in Canada was played between the Hamilton Tiger and the UBC Thunderbirds at Athletic Park. The momentous game happened on Sept. 29, 1930, long before the city formed its first professional football team.
“Vancouver beat Montreal by two nights as the first arclight game in Eastern Canada took place in the Canadian metropolis Wednesday night,” wrote a journalist in the Vancouver Daily Province.
Among the sport’s torchbearers is the BC Lions, British Columbia’s team in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
The CFL season begins in June and peaks in November with the Grey Cup championship game. The BC Lions compete with eight other teams from across Canada. The finals draws throngs of people, and many more tune in at home.
Many of the country’s youth aim to play in such a prestigious event and train from high school through university. There are also community leagues that help hone professional football players of the future.
Lacrosse
Dubbed Canada’s national summer sport, lacrosse is a modern version of baggataway, the game that Indigenous People used to play long before the first Europeans first stepped on the shores of the country. In essence, lacrosse involves two teams who use crosses, which are long-handled, racket-like implements, to catch, carry, and throw a ball into their opponents’ goal.
The competitive sport is beloved by Canadians for its fast pace and athleticism. Lacrosse players require both skill and strategy to win a game.
Vancouverites root for the Vancouver Warriors, a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The NLL season starts from December to April, but playoffs can continue until June.
The official summer sport of Canada is kept alive by young talents fostered through many local clubs and youth leagues.
Curling
Curling is played on ice and teams take turns to slide granite stones toward a target. One player slides the nearly 20-kg stones while the others sweep the ice to make it easier for the stone to glide across.
The sport is said to have originated from across the pond in Scotland and has been in existence since the early 16th century. The Royal Montreal Curling Club was founded in 1807, but it took more than 100 years for the sport to arrive in Vancouver. In 1912, Lester and Frank Patrick built the Denman Arena where curling, along with hockey, began to take root.
In March 1966, Vancouver hosted the drafting of the constitution for the International Curling Federation, which was established the next month. Its founding members included Canada, Scotland, the U.S., Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and France.
With such a rich history, it’s no wonder why Vancouverites have an affection for the game. The success of Canadian curlers in international competitions, such as the Olympics and world championships, also helped pique interest in the game.