Statistics Canada's November 3 industry accounts show stronger 2025 operating revenues across Canadian fitness, golf, ski and other recreation businesses.
Recreation revenues expand
Canadian businesses in the amusement and recreation subsector generated C$18.0 billion in operating revenue during 2025, up 8.1% from 2024, according to Statistics Canada data released November 3, 2026. That was a new high for the sector. The result describes business revenue in the previous calendar year, not spending in November 2026. Fitness and recreational sports centres were an important growth area, reporting C$6.1 billion in operating revenue, 9.4% more than the previous year.
Fitness centres add businesses and improve margins
Statistics Canada reported that the number of fitness and recreational sports centres with employees was 6.0% higher in December 2025 than a year earlier. Operating expenses grew 7.0% to C$5.4 billion, slower than revenue growth, and the sector's operating profit margin reached 12.7%. Labour costs were its largest expense category. These are industry-level figures that combine businesses of different sizes, not a guarantee of profitability for any individual facility.
Golf and skiing also show gains
Golf courses and country clubs generated a record C$4.5 billion in operating revenue in 2025, an 8.9% increase. The agency says participation in golf was 36.4% higher than in 2019. Ski facilities reported C$1.6 billion, up 12.7%, aided by more favourable conditions and higher visits during the 2024–25 season. Canadian Ski Council figures cited in the release show 19.5 million skier visits compared with 17.9 million the season before. Quebec and British Columbia recorded some of the biggest dollar increases in ski revenue.
A note on comparisons
The agency revised data for 2022 through 2024, and weather conditions may influence future outdoor recreation revenue. Early 2026 tourism figures were positive, but do not establish the full-year industry outcome. Readers comparing years should use the revised Statistics Canada time series. The growth is a useful sign of recreation-sector demand, not a direct measure of the affordability of every sport or service.
Sources & transparency
Statistics Canada, Amusement and recreation industry, 2025, November 3, 2026Original CDN News coverage. Sources are linked for reference.
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