Canada's game? Survey says yes, NHL outpaces all other pro leagues

More than three-quarters of Canadians consider themselves sports fans, and the NHL remains the most popular pro sports league.

The Strategic Counsel commissioned the survey based on detailed interviews with 3,240 Canadians in all regions in both official languages.

Seventy-seven per cent of respondents said that they are sports fans, with 29 per cent describing themselves as "big fans."

Forty-eight per cent are either casual followers of multiple leagues, or big fans of just one. Twenty-three per cent were non-fans, and they did not follow any of the leagues, not even occasionally.

The NHL was the most popular league across Canada, with 58 per cent of respondents saying they follow the men's professional hockey league.

The NFL came in next at 37 per cent, followed by MLB (34 per cent), CFL (32 per cent) and NBA (29 per cent), rounding out the top five nationally.

Formula One auto racing was sixth overall (24 per cent), followed by professional tennis (20 per cent). The PGA Tour and Major League Soccer were tied for eighth, with the Professional Women's Hockey League and Ultimate Fighting Championship rounding out the top 10.

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Notably, if major junior hockey was considered, it would crack the top 10 in two regions.

The Western Hockey League would rank sixth in Western Canada, and the Ontario Hockey League would also rank sixth in Ontario in terms of size of its fan base if they are considered in the equation, along with professional leagues.

Half of Canadian women surveyed follow the NHL (50 per cent), making NHL the most popular league among women.

Rounding out the top five for