Video Games: Here's the 10 best Canadian cities for gamers

Let’s keep it 100 - gaming goals are global but there’s something extra special coming out of Canada in 2023. Whether it’s rap heavyweight Drake’s loyalty to Toronto or my personal favorite spot - Niagara Falls - there’s just a different vibe when you cross the border. So how about finding out the Top 10 Canadian cities gamers thrive the most in? Say less.

Whether you’re just looking for the best game stores or having a career in gaming, here’s the best spots to post up in once you touch down in Canada.

The research by Datslots.com studied data within Canadian cities to determine the best cities for gamers to reside in based on four categories: average download speed, gaming stores in the local area, local gaming culture - which was determined by Google search volumes for gaming related terms - and gaming job vacancies per city. These metrics were then merged to create an index and develop a final score. 

1. Victoria - 70.03

At number one Victoria emerges as the ultimate destination for gamers among Canadian cities. With its strong gaming culture, Victoria secures the title as the best gaming city in Canada. The city boasts the eighth highest internet download speed, ensuring a seamless and smooth online gaming experience for its residents. Moreover, Victoria's residents exhibit an avid interest in gaming, as evidenced by their frequent Google searches for gaming-related terms. The combination of these factors results in a top total score of 70.03, solidifying Victoria's position at the top of the list.

2. Toronto - 68.28

Toronto, the second best city for gamers in Canada, stands out as a vibrant gaming hub. It offers an abundance of resources, including a remarkable number of 43 video game stores. The city's thriving gaming culture is shown in its 143 available gaming jon vacancies, surpassing the runner-up by 75 vacancies. Toronto's residents showcase their obsession for gaming through high search volumes for game-related terms. Additionally, the city enjoys a strong download speed, ensuring a smooth gaming experience for its enthusiastic gamers.

 3. Montreal - 57.29 

Montreal secures a commendable third place with a total score of 57.29. It boasts the highest number of video game stores in Canada, totaling 60 establishments. Additionally, Montreal ranks third in job vacancies, showcasing its active gaming industry and a wealth of job opportunities for those aspiring a career in gaming. With its variety of stores, excellent download speed, and thriving job market, Montreal stands out as a beacon of Canadian gaming culture. 

 4. Vancouver - 57.01

Vancouver, the fourth best city for gamers in Canada, offers an impressive gaming scene. With 22 video game stores, gamers have ample options to explore. The city's thriving gaming industry is evident in the 68 gaming vacancies available for aspiring professionals. Vancouver also provides a commendable internet download speed of 120.55 Mbps, ensuring smooth online gaming experiences for residents.

5. Calgary - 55.96 

Calgary, the fifth best city for gamers in Canada, offers a vibrant gaming community. With 44 video game stores, gamers have a wide range of options. The city also presents 26 gaming vacancies, creating opportunities for aspiring professionals. Calgary's total score of 55.96 solidifies as the fifth best city for gamers in Canada. 

6. Moncton - 55.40

Moncton, the sixth best city for gamers in Canada, offers a remarkable gaming environment. With a high internet download speed of 238.80 Mbps, gamers can enjoy seamless online experiences. The city also boasts a thriving gaming community with numerous residents actively searching for game-related terms.

7. Oshawa - 52.23

Oshawa, ranked as the seventh best city for gamers in Canada, attains a score of 53.23 on the gaming index. The city is equipped with 15 video game stores, providing gamers with a range of options. Additionally, Oshawa boasts an impressive internet download speed of 248.63 Mbps, ensuring fast and reliable online gaming experiences for its residents.

8. Halifax - 49.87

According to the data, Halifax ranks as the eighth best city for gamers in Canada, this is in part contributed by 14 games stores, seven gaming vacancies and an internet download speed of 200.95 Mbps. 

9. Edmonton - 48.79

Edmonton ranks as the ninth best city in Canada for gamers. The city boasts a vibrant gaming culture, supported by 42 video game stores and 19 available gaming vacancies.

 10. Saint John’s - 48.11

Saint John's claims the tenth spot as the top Canadian city for gamers, benefiting from its impressive internet download speed of 272.65 Mbps. Additionally, the city's gaming community thrives with a significant number of residents actively searching for game-related terms. 

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Datslots.com said: “As gaming and esports gain momentum in Canada, it's fascinating to explore data on the best cities for gamers. This research considers factors like gaming career opportunities, gaming establishments, and internet infrastructure. It reveals cities that provide favorable environments for gamers to connect and pursue their passion. This information is valuable for gamers seeking new communities and highlights the growth of the gaming industry in Canada. It's fascinating to see that Toronto and Vancouver do not take first place, and are instead upended by Victoria, whose residents are actively searching for game-related terms or content in higher numbers.”