Navigating new spaces: the role of sports and leisure in the lives of Montréal’s immigrant and refugee communities

Background: Migration poses significant challenges to individuals' psychological wellbeing, identity, and social integration. Sport and leisure activities have been recognized as meaningful avenues for fostering coping, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence on how newcomer adults-particularly refugees-experience and engage in these activities throughout their settlement process in Canada, and especially within the context of Montréal. Methods: This qualitative study examined how sport and leisure influenced the lives of 15 recent immigrants and refugees in Montréal, 12 of whom were refugees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed to identify barriers, experiences of exclusion, and strategies to promote integration. Results: Three key themes emerged: (1) socio-economic and structural barriers to leisure and sport participation, (2) experiences of social exclusion and marginalization in leisure spaces, and (3) combining sports and language learning to support inclusion and wellbeing. While socio-economic and linguistic barriers limited participation, some participants described sport and leisure as helpful for staying active, practicing French, and connecting with others during their early settlement. Conclusion: Findings suggest that sport and leisure function as ambivalent spaces for newcomers in Montréal-sites of both exclusion and potential empowerment. Integrating language learning into sport and leisure activities and reducing structural barriers may enhance social inclusion and support mental wellbeing. These insights highlight the importance of recognizing sport and leisure not merely as forms of physical activity or entertainment, but as vital psychosocial resources that contribute to settlement, resilience, and belonging in multicultural societies.