5 of Canada’s Sportiest Cities
Hockey and lacrosse. Basketball and football (no, not soccer). Some of the most popular sports around the world have their roots in Canada! (Sorry, curling fans, but it turns out tossing rocks on ice originated in Scotland.) And like Uncle Ben said to Spider-Man, “With great sports comes great sports fans in great sports cities.” Or something like that…
If you’re a sports nut who’s keen on living in—or visiting—a place that’s got game, we’re counting down some of Canada’s sportiest cities. Let’s get the ball rolling.
Image via Blake Handley on Flickr, Attribution (CC BY 2.0)
1. Regina, Saskatchewan
“And it’s ho-hey, hi-hey, farmers bar your doors, when you see the Jolly Roger on Regina’s mighty shores.”
Regina, Saskatchewan, is a must on this list.
“The capital city in the middle of the prairies?” you ask. “It doesn’t have a team in the National Hockey League,” you declare. “Regina has been training Mounties in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police since 1885, not athletes,” you claim.
Fair points. But you know what Regina does have? Die-hard Canadian football fans. The city is home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and arguably the most passionate fanbase in the entire Canadian Football League (CFL).
We’re talking an almost-always-sold-out Mosaic Stadium, (regardless of the weather), painted faces and painted bodies, deafening cheers and lost voices. We’re talking family ties severed for a single ill word said about the team. We’re talking unwavering support running so deep that football culture and community spirit is rooted in the city itself.
We’re talking watermelons on heads.
So, yeah, Regina is definitely one of Canada’s top sports cities. Of course, there’s more to it than that. Regina has a rich arts and culture scene. Attractions include the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, showcasing natural history, and the Saskatchewan Science Centre offers interactive exhibits.
The Warehouse District is a hotspot for nightlife, featuring a variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues. There’s good food and drink, too, with Avenue Restaurant and Memories Dining & Bar serving some of the best cuisine in the city. Plus, Regina is home to one of North America’s largest urban parks, the Wascana Centre, where locals and visitors go to paddle, picnic, and enjoy the scenic beauty of Wascana Lake.
Want to know more about Regina, including the housing market and where to live? Read our neighbourhood guide all about the city.
2. Windsor, Ontario
Ah, yes. Canada’s southernmost city sneaks its way on the list for a few reasons.
Windsor, Ontario, is home to the Windsor Spitfires, a feisty contender in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Plus, more than 50 hometown athletes have played in the National Hockey League (NHL), like Toronto Maple Leafs legend Tie Domi, Bob Probert, Cam Fowler and Aaron Ekblad—the last of which took home the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in the 2023-2024 season. Windsor also has a team in the Basketball Super League, the Windsor Express, which helps keep hoop dreams alive in a country with only one team in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Finally, Windsor is right across the Detroit River from Detroit, Michigan. Detroit has a rich sports culture of its own, and plenty of Windsor residents are known to take a quick trip across the border to watch their favourite Canadian NHL teams battle the Detroit Red Wings. The same can be said when the Toronto Raptors tip off against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA and when the Toronto Blue Jays come to town and step up to the plate to take on the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Like other border towns, we’re sure a lot of Windsorites cheer on their American neighbour’s teams, so don’t be alarmed if you see a lot of Lions, Tigers, and Pistons merchandise around—oh my!
What else is there to know about Windsor, aside from sports?
It was founded in 1749, making it one of Canada’s oldest communities;
It was a focal point during the War of 1812, given its location, and the city played a key role in the Underground Railroad; and
Windsor is also considered the Automotive Capital of Canada, as a neighbour of Detroit and the home base of the original Ford Motor Company.
Where do you go to eat and be entertained if not a sports game? Windsor has a lively nightlife, particularly along Ouellette Avenue. There’s a diverse culinary scene, with notable spots like The Cook’s Shop Restaurant and Mazaar. Plus, the Windsor Sculpture Park along the Detroit River features an impressive collection of contemporary artworks, the Art Gallery of Windsor showcases Canadian art, and the historic Willistead Manor offers guided tours of its elegant 36-room mansion.
Want to know more about Windsor, including the housing market and where to live? Read our neighbourhood guide all about the city.
3. Montreal, Quebec
Montreal, Quebec. Now, there’s an obvious choice as one of Canada’s sportiest cities.
As the largest city in the province and the second-largest in the country, it’s no surprise Montreal has a flourishing sporting heritage. The city is home to the historic Montreal Canadiens, an original six team in the NHL and one of most storied franchises in hockey history. The CFL’s Montreal Alouettes and Major League Soccer’s Club de Foot Montreal also hail from Montreal.
Not to mention, the city puts the pedal to the metal each year with the annual Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. And to top it off, Montreal played host to the Summer Olympics in 1976—when you’re part of the world’s biggest showcase of athletic talent, you’re tied to sports culture and history for life.
And while lots of rumours have swirled about a Montreal Expos return to the MLB, nothing is official on that front. At least the Olympic Stadium is still there!
Montreal is a place of culture and history in general. From the historic charm of Old Montreal with its cobblestone streets and the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica to the vibrant Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy. There’s the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on the Golden Square Mile stretch of Sherbrooke Street—the art museum is the largest in Canada by gallery space. And the city offers a number of festivals, such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs, the funniest festival in town.
Outdoor lovers enjoy Mount Royal Park, boasting panoramic city views and recreational activities from season to season. Montreal offers a dynamic nightlife, too, with areas like the Plateau Mont-Royal and Rue Crescent bustling with bars, clubs, and live music venues. And if you’re hungry, the city is world renowned for its food and drink options. Iconic dishes like poutine and smoked meat sandwiches, fine dining at places like Henri Brasserie Française + Lounge, cocktails and pub grub at award-winning bars—you name it, Montreal’s got it.
Want to know more about Montreal, including the housing market and where to live? Read our neighbourhood guide all about the city.
Battle of Cole Harbour via Facebook
4. Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, is on the list for two specific reasons: Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
This suburban community is located in the Halifax Regional Municipality to the east of Dartmouth. The community sits along the shore of a natural harbour with the same name—the Mi’kmaq people once referred to it as “Wonpaak,” meaning “place of still water.” And it’s the home of Stanley Cup champions Crosby and MacKinnon.
Let’s face it, Canada is synonymous with hockey. And these two NHL pros put Cole Harbour on the map for hockey fans. The community’s dedication to sports is evident in its facilities. This includes Cole Harbour Place, which serves as a hub for local athletes and sports enthusiasts with ice rinks, swimming pools, and fitness centres.
Beyond its sports facilities, Cole Harbour offers a variety of attractions and activities:
The Cole Harbour Heritage Park features trails that highlight the area’s natural beauty, including woodlands, fields, and salt marsh shoreline. The Salt Marsh Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, is particularly popular for hiking and cycling, offering scenic views and opportunities for bird watching.
The Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum preserves the area’s agricultural history, where visitors can explore heritage buildings, interact with farm animals, and enjoy locally sourced meals and baked goods at the Rose and Kettle Tearoom.
Cole Harbour boasts several dining options with Dartmouth nearby—Jamieson’s Irish Pub is a local favourite, while the Brass Rail Restaurant serves a variety of local seafood specialties.
Also, Cole Harbour’s proximity to Halifax means residents and visitors have easy access to a vibrant nightlife, cultural events, and all the dining experiences of Nova Scotia’s capital city.
Want to know more about Nova Scotia’s capital, including the housing market and where to live? Learn all about Halifax in our neighbourhood guide.
5. Calgary, Alberta
Calgary, Alberta, rounds out our list of Canada’s sportiest cities.
Nestled between the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and the Canadian Prairies, Calgary is home to a variety of outdoor adventures. But that’s not what makes it sporty. No, it’s sporty because of its NHL and CFL teams, the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders. Don’t forget about the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) either! The Calgary Hitmen are always competitive, making the Eastern Conference eight times since 2012.
Calgary also hosts the annual Calgary Stampede, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo dating back to 1912—this 10-day celebration of everything great about the wild west is a true testament to the athleticism and community spirit of Calgary.
We’d be remiss not to mention all the professional athletes that have come out of Calgary, too! Olympian Kailie Humphries hails from The Stampede City, as well as NHL players Brayden Point, Cale Makar, and Taylor Hall.
Last, but not least, the city held the 1988 Winter Olympics, leaving a lasting sports legacy with facilities like Canada Olympic Park. With its residents’ passion for sports, combined with its world-class training venues and professional teams, there’s no doubt Calgary is a prominent sports city in Canada.
Calgary offers more than sports, of course. The downtown area offers a lively nightlife, with numerous bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Notable dining spots include Pigeon Hole, known for its innovative cuisine, and Bridgette Bar, “a chef-driven bar in the heart of Calgary’s design district.”
For cultural experiences, the Glenbow Museum is a deep dive into the art and history of Western Canada, while Studio Bell and its National Music Centre offers interactive exhibits dedicated to Canadian music. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Prince’s Island Park, an urban oasis ideal for picnicking and festivals, or head to nearby Banff National Park for hiking and skiing. And neighbourhoods like Inglewood are perfect for boutique shopping and discovering local artisans.
Want to know more about Calgary, including the housing market and where to live? Read our neighbourhood guide all about the city.
Honourable mentions
Truthfully, this list is purely subjective. Because Canada is full of cities and towns with rich sports histories. From Winnipeg to Toronto, Vancouver, to Ottawa. From urban centres to remote villages, with professional athletes and beer league elites alike.
Whether it’s on the ice, on the court, or in the field. Whether it’s for money, fame, or just for the fun of it. One thing’s for certain: we Canadians love to play. Here’s to the sports we watch, the athletes we support, and the teams we cheer for. Game on!