Canadian sports fans have been loudly booing the United States national anthem at MLS games as trade tensions between the two countries continue to simmer.
The protests reflect widespread frustration among Canadians over President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements targeting Canadian goods and industries.
The anthem booing trend began spreading across multiple sports leagues and venues, demonstrating just how deeply the trade dispute has resonated with ordinary Canadian fans.
Ottawa Senators fans were among those who booed the Star-Spangled Banner at NHL games, turning a pre-game ritual into a moment of political protest.
Supporters of the Calgary Flames also joined the wave of demonstrations, with loud boos greeting the United States anthem before games at their home arena.
Vancouver Canucks fans similarly made their feelings known, using the national anthem as an opportunity to voice collective displeasure at American trade policy.
The protests were not limited to hockey, as Toronto Raptors fans also booed the US anthem loudly during an NBA game at their home venue.
Montreal fans delivered some of the most vocal demonstrations, booing the United States anthem before 4 Nations Face-Off games involving Team USA.
Notably, the trend did not stop even after Trump agreed to pause the tariffs that had initially triggered such strong reactions from Canadian supporters.
The persistence of the booing suggests the trade dispute has left a lasting mark on the relationship between Canadian sports fans and their American counterparts.
The scenes across multiple leagues and cities underline how sport has become an unlikely but powerful stage for Canadians to express national frustration.
It remains to be seen whether the anthem protests will continue as trade negotiations between the United States and Canada progress further into 2026.
