The Rise of Wrestling Viewership in Canada
Canada has given wrestling fans some of the biggest icons of the game. Popular wrestlers from the Great White North, such as Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart and Edge, have played their part in promoting the sport and making it popular among many demographics. Canadian wrestling fans enjoy local and foreign (primarily US-based) games from WWE, ECW, Impact, and other brands.
Why Is Wrestling Viewership Increasing In Canada
Many factors have contributed to the increased wrestling viewership in Canada. In July 2024, WWE RAW had its most extensive Canadian viewership, averaging 263,800 viewers, and 101,300 in the 25–54 demographic, over five episodes. In 2023, Canadian viewership of WWE events rose by 29%, showing impressive growth in the most significant wrestling audience outside the US. Although previous shows had high figures, the massive increase is linked to an increased connection between fans and their favorite stars, the fun of picking favorites on Canadian betting sites, and the game promotions.
Local Events and Stars
Canadian wrestlers like Justina Di Stasio and Amar Dhesi are attracting massive attention and making headlines—especially in the Olympic Games, where they represent the country. The success of homegrown stars is a huge factor influencing the growth of Canada’s wrestling by showcasing local talent and fostering a sense of community. Their success will also inspire more fans to pursue a wrestling career. Many amateur wrestlers have made the jump from the world of the Olympics to the pro wrestling ranks.
A far-reaching impact of this is the growth of a wrestling culture in Canada that cuts across demographics. For instance, women made up 40% of the WWE viewership in Canada in 2020, marking a significant rise from previous years. This shows the development of wrestling and its increasing appeal to various audiences.
The Impact Of Social Media And Live Streaming
Social media continues influencing wrestling viewership through enhanced advertising reach and fan engagement. Social media platforms are especially effective for showing fans the other sides of wrestling, such as the behind-the-scenes action, stories, and other content that helps them build emotional connections with the stars.
Live streams are also more popular and offer a revolutionary way for fans to engage in wrestling content from anywhere. Social media viewership also allows wrestling brands and partners to generate revenue from millions of views from fans around the world. Platforms like Peacock and WWE Network are available for Canadian audiences and provide easy access to their favorite wrestling content.
Beyond Sports: A Dedicated Wrestling Culture
The development of Canada’s wrestling culture isn’t surprising, given the long history of tours and promotions, especially by WWE and AEW. Over the years, lucrative content deals with Canadian brands and media have provided the right balance for organic and paid promotions to reach wider audiences, enhance brand-to-fan engagement, and increase visibility among Canadian fans.
For most fans, nothing beats a live attendance where they feel the pulse of matches and the booming voices of thousands of fans screaming at once. That’s why upcoming shows in November will entertain thousands of wrestling fans in Canada, showcasing the unique wrestling culture of the Land of Maple Leaf.