The modern sport of ice hockey was invented in Canada, with the first indoor game played on March 3, 1875, at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal

. The origins of hockey trace back to Indigenous peoples’ games in North America, which were later adapted by European settlers in Canada, contributing to the development of the sport

. While primitive stick-and-ball games resembling hockey have been found in ancient cultures such as Egypt, Ethiopia, and Iran, the structured form of hockey recognized today was formalized in Canada in the 19th century

. Various Canadian cities like Montreal, Kingston, Halifax, and Windsor have all claimed to be the birthplace of hockey, but Montreal is most notably recognized for codifying modern hockey rules in 1877 and organizing the first hockey leagues

. Thus, hockey as a formalized sport was invented in Canada, evolving from Indigenous games and European influences, with Montreal playing a central role in its establishment and popularization