What's happening in the world of Canadian sports during the holiday season?

The holiday season is here again, and while it's not everyone's cup of tea, sports lovers can rejoice in its abundance of games and events. betting sites If Aunt Jean's knitting escapades get a bit overwhelming, escape the typical holiday movie reruns for some live sporting excitement.

Spending some quality time with—or away from—the family while catching live sports is unmatched during the Christmas and New Year’s period, and we've got all the top events happening across Canada for you.

There's a plethora of games set across Canada this holiday, with five out of seven Canadian hockey teams hosting home matches between Christmas and New Year, offering hockey lovers plenty to feast on.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs play two home games against the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes during the Christmas period at Scotiabank Arena. Thus far, they've each claimed a win over the other this season. Additionally, they'll play away at the Columbus Blue Jackets on the 29th.

December 27 V Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM EST

On December 30th, the Carolina Hurricanes face off at 7:00 PM EST.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal's Bell Centre won't have NHL games over Christmas as Cirque Du Soleil takes the stage, while the Canadiens are away on a road trip through warmer states, including a game in Raleigh against the Hurricanes on December 28.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa fans have endured a challenging season, but the festive season offers a couple of home games and an away game against Toronto to boost spirits, alongside a Christmas Eve face-off with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The New Jersey Devils, themselves on a rocky path this season, will visit first, followed by the Buffalo Sabres on New Year’s Eve, whose previous visit was a thrilling 6-4 game in October.

December 29 V New Jersey Devils 7:00 PM EST

December 31 V Buffalo Sabres 6:00 PM EST

Winnipeg Jets

Between Christmas and New Year, there’s only one home game, but fans can follow trips to Chicago on December 27 and Minnesota on December 31, giving a semblance of local road clashes.

December 30 V Minnesota Wild 1:00 PM CST

Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames strive to end 2023 with a fiery streak hosting two games, starting against Seattle Kraken, against whom they've excelled this season with two wins. Fans should be hopeful yet again as they face off against the Flyers on New Year’s Eve.

December 27 V Seattle Kraken 7.30 PM MST

On December 31, the Flyers challenge at 6:00 PM MST.

Edmonton Oilers

Like the Oilers, the Flames will be away during Christmas as Cirque Du Soleil performs, embarking on a tour through California. Edmonton’s first home return match is scheduled for January 2 against the Flyers.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks, NHL's top scorers, have a three-game home series spread out, featuring a match against the Flyers amidst their western Canada tour, plus a San Jose Sharks visit on Christmas Eve.

December 28 brings the Flyers at 7:00 PM PST.

Basketball enthusiasts are also catered to with ample on-court action during Christmas, particularly with the ever-popular Christmas Day lineups.

Toronto Raptors

As the Raptors aim to maintain respectable standings, they're keeping up with others vying for playoff spots. Despite their home strength, their road games require attention, highlighted by their game against the Jazz before a three-game away streak.

Jan 1 V Cleveland Cavaliers 07:30 PM EST

The lacrosse season is still fresh, yet there’s enough home action from four Canadian teams to dive into between Christmas and New Year.

Halifax Thunderbirds

Starting their season with a flawless 2-0, hosting an underperforming 1-2 Wings. In stark contrast, Thunderbirds have showcased offensive firepower both at home and away.

December 29 V Philadelphia Wings

Toronto Rock

A home win over Philadelphia starts their season on a positive note, and as Riptide surface from a disappointing start, the Rock plan to satisfy their fans with a rousing performance.

December 30 V New York Riptide

Calgary Roughnecks

Calgary’s rocky start with back-to-back road defeats should be offset by their home debut against a defensively shaky opponent, much to the delight of Roughnecks fans.

December 30 V Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Saskatchewan Rush

Following a harsh defeat in Halifax and a narrow loss at home, gaining their first win against Vegas, they've built confidence ahead of taking on an undefeated Albany Firewolves.

December 31 V Albany Firewolves

When the holidays roll around, many of us take joy in lounging on the couch, soaking in the plethora of sports carried by our TV screens over the year's last week.

NFL

Week 16/17 blend into an action-filled schedule with Christmas Day games capping Week 16. It starts with the Raiders’ trek to the Chiefs, proceeds with the Eagles clashing with the Giants, and concludes with a major highlight as Ravens meet the 49ers.

Approaching the regular season's climax, Week 17 begins with Jets taking on Browns on December 29. Meanwhile, the Lions strive to break Dallas’s home fortress before numerous matches unfold on New Year’s Eve.

Although the Dolphins visit Ravens promises excitement, the Saints and Buccaneers face-off might influence the NFC South title's fate, deserving your attention.

Around Christmas, the Chiefs host the Bengals in a thrilling late matchup, while 2023's final NFL game sees Packers meet Vikings, each team desperately eyeing playoff chances.

Soccer

The Premier League surges toward midseason with 18 matches aired in Canada from December 26-31. It kicks off on Boxing Day with early risers like Newcastle and Nottingham Forest clashing; meanwhile, league leaders dismiss contenders in captivating fixtures such as Aston Villa at Manchester United.

Matches carry on December 27 with the reigning champions Manchester City defending against Everton, and a London battle seeing Chelsea rival Crystal Palace.

Arsenal enjoys two home games both of which are London skirmishes. They welcome West Ham on December 28 and conclude with Fulham on December 31, albeit with earlier eastern starts.

Mark your calendar for December 30, the busiest day with six games. Among them, Chelsea travels to Luton, Villa greets Burnley, and giants like City, United battle formidable opponents.

College Sports

For NCAA aficionados eager to scout future stars, the action rolls through Christmas, heralded by the Cotton Bowl where Missouri challenges Ohio State on December 29.

December 30 bursts with three bowl games, showcasing Peach Bowl’s clash between Ole Miss and Penn State, Music City Bowl’s Auburn Maryland showdown, and the Orange Bowl’s Georgia against Florida State.

The hockey calendar remains vibrant with December 30’s Providence taking on Brown, and New Year’s Eve pits Harvard against UConn.

Even though March Madness is still a while off, the NCAA basketball action is already thick, with USC facing Oregon on December 28 and Virginia State squaring up against Wake Forest on December 30, among other thrilling matchups.

Whatever your agenda entails, we at FatGambler wish you a joyful holiday season and an absolutely Merry Christmas.