“The Blue Jays in the World Series provided a notable lift to discretionary spending, particularly in Ontario, underscoring consumer appetite for experiences even amid economic headwinds,” said RBC economist Rachel Battaglia in the report. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images · IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters
The Toronto Blue Jays’ run in the World Series gave Ontario’s economy a boost in October as fans packed bars, bought tickets and jerseys, and helped drive a surge in discretionary spending, according to new data from the Royal Bank of Canada.
“The Blue Jays in the World Series provided a notable lift to discretionary spending, particularly in Ontario, underscoring consumer appetite for experiences even amid economic headwinds,” said RBC economist Rachel Battaglia in the report, which tracks spending using RBC cardholder data.
While the Blue Jays didn’t win the World Series, their commendable run prompted Canadians to open their wallets. Consumer spending in the entertainment and arts sector jumped 12.2 per cent from September to October, as the province hosted four of the seven World Series games, three of which took place that month.
Arts and entertainment spending has been increasing since 2021, as public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic eased. That subset of spending continued to climb through 2022, following the province’s relaxation of online gambling rules, which expanded consumer access, according to the report. Spending in October 2025 was nearly 2.8 times higher than in January 2022.
Cardholder spending in Ontario (and B.C.) has remained “surprisingly strong,” the report says, despite labour market challenges in slowing population growth and Ontario’s trade sector. The jobless rate in Toronto, for instance, has climbed from 5.3 per cent in 2023 to nearly nine per cent as of September this year, its highest level since 2012, outside of the pandemic.
Negotiations surrounding the trade war between Canada and the U.S., now in their eighth month, have yet to progress, with tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos still in effect. Employment in the goods-producing sector declined by 54,000 jobs between January and October this year, primarily due to a decline in manufacturing and construction.
The report attributes consumer spending resilience to pent-up demand. Households in Ontario (and B.C) carry the highest debt burdens in the country, making them more sensitive to interest rate movements. Consumers in these provinces tightened their budgets more than others during the elevated rate environment of 2023 and 2024.
“Now that rates have declined, cardholders in these provinces appear to be spending more aggressively as financial conditions ease,” the report said. Lowering borrowing costs means there’s more post-debt income available for Canadian households, and they’re spending it on a variety of goods and services.
Meanwhile, household and construction remained among the weakest spending categories, reflecting a slowdown in home purchases and renovations.