Football season is officially back!
Ahead of the NFL 2025 kickoff tomorrow with the Eagles and Cowboys starting off the season, NFL Canada took to their socials to post a map of Canadian fan bases – and people have thoughts.
Showing which teams fans in each province and territory are rallying behind, the map highlights just how diverse football fandom is, all the way from British Columbia to the Maritimes.
Taking geography, history, and recent Super Bowl wins into account, it’s no surprise that British Columbia is firmly loyal to the Seahawks, with Vancouver’s proximity to Seattle making the franchise an obvious choice.
Moving east, Alberta fans mainly support the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of the 2023 Super Bowl and runner-ups in 2024. Despite being thousands of kilometres away from Missouri, this could be partly due to the team’s recent dominance on the field, along with the star power of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, notably recently engaged to pop superstar Taylor Swift.
In Saskatchewan, the Minnesota Vikings take the lead, reflecting the province’s cultural and geographic ties to the neighbouring U.S. state, while in Manitoba the Green Bay Packers hold the top spot.
Ontario unsurprisingly leans heavily toward the Buffalo Bills, with Buffalo located just across the provincial border. The “Bills Mafia” has historically always had a loyal Canadian following, though Southern Ontario also shows support for the Detroit Lions, another cross-border team a short drive away.
Out east in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, the Kansas City Chiefs dominate once again, proving that recent championships and a high-profile roster have built a powerful nationwide following that stretches well beyond the U.S. Midwest. However, some commenters disagree, with one writing “Coming from Newfoundland I do not know a single chiefs fan”.
There is a more unique twist when it comes to Canada’s northern territories, as the Las Vegas Raiders claim the top spot for reasons unknown.
Based on the map, some of the most popular NFL teams are notably missing, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers.
Despite not having an NFL team, its popularity in Canada overshadows the CFL, with millions of Canadians tuning in for games. Based on the map, are you within the majority of your province or territory when it comes to NFL fandom?