Blue Jays are the bird of choice for many this Thanksgiving

Vancouver couple Helen Vlahos and Wolf Schneider are replacing their traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a turkey sandwich while watching the Blue Jays compete in the American League Championship Series. They plan to return home just in time for Game 1 against the Seattle Mariners, marking the Blue Jays' first playoff appearance since 2016. A survey by Rogers revealed that nearly half of Canadians would skip Thanksgiving dinner to attend a Blue Jays game, with 52% of Gen Xers favoring the game over the holiday meal. Schneider noted that even with a formal dinner, they would likely still watch the game together. Fans across Canada are prioritizing baseball this Thanksgiving, with some like Kohlman Zarowny traveling to Toronto for the game.

The series will continue with games in Seattle, with Toronto hosting possible Game 6 and Game 7 if necessary. This shift reflects the cultural significance of baseball in Canada, especially during pivotal playoff moments. The Blue Jays last won the World Series in 1993, and their current success has reignited fan enthusiasm nationwide.