There are a number of hotly anticipated sporting events that are set to take place all throughout the nation of Canada across the entirety of 2024.
For any Canadian sports fans who are pondering as to which competitions are the best to keep an eye on heading into 2024, these are our rankings of the top Canadian-based sporting events featuring a vast number of the best leagues and teams in the world today.
• NHL:
The 2023/24 NHL preseason is now well underway meaning that hockey fans are already placing their latest sports betting predictions on who they believe will compete for the prestigious Stanley Cup.
There are a vast number of respected franchises that compete all across the nation which includes the likes of the Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets.
Ice Hockey is without question the most popular sport for residents of Canada and the NHL certainly provides all the many grandeurs and exciting encounters that cannot be replicated in any other professional hockey league.
• Toronto Raptors (NBA):
While the NBA is primarily a domestic US-based league centered around the top basketball franchises in the game today, there is one team that operates outside of US boarders which of course is the former NBA World Champions Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors have remained at the figurehead of Canadian basketball interest since their earlier entry into the league back in 1995 and have since risen to fame with their illustrious 2019 championship winning campaign.
While the Raptors may not be fully involved in the championship conversation at this stage, they still bolster a talented roster and plenty of intriguing young prospects who could prove to be an exciting watch throughout the 2023/24 season, with the NBA even discussing the possibilities of other expansion Canadian teams being added to the league standings in the coming years.
• MLS:
Soccer has quickly risen through the ranks as a popular commodity throughout Canada following the continued development of the Canadian national side as well as the numerous MLS franchises that operate within the country.
Fans will be anticipating the arrival of the new MLS season in 2024 and the potential matchups that could materialize on Canadian soil, especially following Lionel Messi’s recent transfer to the MLS with Inter Miami.
There are three MLS teams located in Canada which include C.F. Montreal and Toronto F.C. in the Eastern Conference and the Vancouver Whitecaps in the West, meaning that there is plenty of enthralling soccer contests to enjoy in the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup which of course will be hosted by Canada as well as the US and Mexico.
• Toronto Blue Jays (MLB):
Much like the aforementioned Raptors, the Blue Jays are the only Canadian-based sporting team in their respected league which of course is the MLB, with both Toronto franchises also enjoying several years of success following their debut campaigns as expansion teams.
The Blue Jays have delighted fans of the baseball scene since their opening season back in 1977 which has included consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993 as well as Wild Card berths in 2020 and 2022.
The Jays look certain to return to the playoffs again this season and could be set to enjoy another deep playoff run at the conclusion of 2023, which could set the team up to be a perennial contender in the AL heading into the 2024 regular season.
• CFL:
The NFL is the most widely coveted football league in the world, but the Canadian Football League also offers its fair share of talent and fanfare that the entire nation can enjoy on a regular occurrence.
There are nine established franchises located throughout the CFL standings which allows the top ranked Canadian football talents and aspiring prospects to showcase their skills at one of the top levels of professional football.
Overall, there is an abundance of enjoyment that a casual sports fan can invest in by watching the CFL if they are interested in catching a glimpse at some of the best local talent in the game today.
• The Tim Hortons Brier:
Curling is a sport that is now on the rise in Canada following the Gold medal showing by Team Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Without a doubt the most popular and prestigious Canadian-based curling sporting event is the Tim Hortons Brier which has continuously drawn in fans from all across the nation to support any one of the 15 teams involved.
If you’re a Canadian sports fan who is looking to add another stellar event to any bucket list, then the Tim Hortons Brier is sure to be an excellent inclusion due to the stakes that are up for grabs and the endless amount of activities that are available for all spectators such as the acclaimed Brier Patch which provides live music and entertainment for all those attending the event.
