When comparing professional sports teams in Canada with those in the United States, there is a vast difference. Considering almost all the major professional leagues are American, though, supporters should understand this difference.
Canadian professional sports teams have representation in all major US sporting leagues, apart from the NFL. The lack of a Canadian team in the NFL is only likely due to Canada hosting its own football league, the CFL.
To determine which Canadian provinces have the most professional sports teams, the MLB, the NHL and the NBA warrant inclusion in the count. The fast-growing MLS (Major League Soccer) league and the less-popular MLR rugby union league are also included. Finally, the CFL is the last contributor to the results.
According to the list, there are 22 different professional sports teams based in Canada, meaning fans have plenty of opportunities to bet on their local team. Sports bettors will find Canadian province-by-province betting guides handy; although sports betting is legal across Canada, the regulations vary by province. For example, depending on the province you’re in, you must be 18 or 19 years old to place sports bets, and tax rules also vary across the country. In some provinces, betting is only available on government-endorsed sites, while in others, the laws are more lax and bettors have more access to different sportsbooks.
According to the parameters set, the Canadian province with the most professional sports teams is the central province of Ontario; sports fans in Toronto have plenty of betting opportunities, as gambling laws are among the least restrictive here, too. As it is the most populous province in Canada, it’s not surprising that it has more pro teams than any other province. Ontario has nine different professional sports outfits participating in the included leagues. These pro teams are:
- Hamilton Tiger-cats (CFL)
- Ottawa Redblacks (CFL)
- Ottawa Senators (NHL)
- Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
- Toronto Arrows (MLR)
- Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
- Toronto FC (MLS)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
- Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Ontario has the only Canadian representation in each of MLB, MLS, and the NBA. With six teams, the province’s largest city and capital, Toronto, is the highest-represented city in the whole of Canada.
Incredibly, the second-best-represented Canadian province by professional sports teams has under 50% of the teams Ontario has. Alberta lies second on the list with four professional teams, with two each featuring in the CFL and NHL. Alberta’s pro sports teams are:
- Calgary Flames (NHL)
- Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
- Edmonton Elks (CFL)
- Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton shares the province’s four professional sports teams with its largest city, Calgary.
Two other Canadian provinces possess one fewer pro sports team each than Alberta.
Covering almost one-sixth of Canada, Quebec has the largest land area of all 10 Canadian provinces. It also has the second-highest provincial population in Canada, with only Ontario being home to more Canadians. Quebec, along with British Columbia, is home to three qualifying professional sports teams. The pro teams in Quebec are:
- CF Montreal (MLS)
- Montreal Alouettes (CFL)
- Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Quebec City may be the capital of Quebec, and Canada’s oldest city. Sports-wise, it’s Montreal that hosts all of the province’s professional teams, though.
British Columbia is perhaps the most scenic of Canada’s provinces, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Rocky Mountains on the other. Geographically, BC is diverse and attractive. Some may say that the three professional sports teams within the province are the same. With football, hockey and soccer represented it is easy to see why this might be. The three pro teams from BC are:
- BC Lions (CFL)
- Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
- Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS)
As is the case in Quebec, the largest city and not the capital hosts the province’s professional sports teams. All three teams have their home base in Vancouver. With the city’s status and population growing, it may not be too long before one or two more professional outfits are born there.
The remaining provinces are home to very few sports teams:
Manitoba
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
- Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)
Meanwhile, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island have no professional sports teams between them.
