For decades, hockey has been considered Canada’s sport — an identity carved into the national psyche. But a stunning new analysis of Google Trends data suggests that in Ontario, at least, basketball may have quietly taken the lead.
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According to recent search interest data, the NBA scored a perfect 100 in Ontario — the highest possible popularity score on Google Trends — while hockey failed to crack the top ten searches in the province. Nationally, the NFL scored 81, also outpacing hockey, which registered 75.
The data, which was highlighted in a report by CTV News, measures relative search interest over time. A value of 100 represents peak popularity for the term, while values below that indicate lower relative interest. The fact that the NBA reached 100 in Ontario is a striking indicator of just how much basketball has captured the attention of Canada’s most populous province.
The shift is not entirely new, but the magnitude of the gap has surprised even seasoned sports analysts. The Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship sparked a basketball renaissance across Canada, and the team has maintained a loyal, passionate fanbase even through rebuilding years. With young, exciting talent on the roster and a front office committed to winning, the Raptors continue to draw massive television audiences and social media engagement.
