The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Mascot›Youppi!
Entertainment • Mascot

Youppi!

Youppi! is the official mascot of the Montreal Canadiens and was formerly the longtime mascot of the Montreal Expos.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Youppi! is the official mascot of the Montreal Canadiens and was formerly the longtime mascot of the Montreal Expos. The orange furry character was introduced in 1979 for the Expos and moved to the Canadiens in 2005, making it a notable dual-sport mascot in Montreal. It has also been recognized by the Mascot Hall of Fame.

History

Youppi! was created for the Montreal Expos and became one of the team’s most recognizable symbols. After the Expos left Montreal, the Montreal Canadiens adopted the mascot in 2005, preserving its presence in the city.

Design and identity

Youppi! is depicted as a bright orange furry creature. The character is closely associated with Montreal sports culture, and its jersey carries an exclamation mark rather than a number.

Recognition

Youppi! has been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, reflecting its long career and cross-league significance. Coverage from the Canadiens and CBC identify it as the first mascot to represent teams in two major professional leagues.

Cultural significance

Beyond sports entertainment, Youppi! became a familiar figure for Montreal fans, especially children, during both the Expos and Canadiens eras. Sources describe the mascot as a lasting symbol in the city’s sports memory.

Key facts

  • Youppi! served as the Montreal Expos’ mascot from 1979 until the team moved to Washington after the 2004 season.
  • The mascot became the official mascot of the Montreal Canadiens in 2005.
  • Youppi! is described as North America’s first dual-sport major-league mascot.
  • The character’s name comes from the French word for "Yippee!" or a similar exclamation.
  • Youppi! was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2020.
🍁
Canadian context

Youppi! is a prominent Montreal sports symbol and one of the best-known Canadian team mascots, linked to both the Montreal Expos’ history and the Montreal Canadiens’ identity.[2][3][13]

Frequently asked questions

What is Youppi!?
Youppi! is the official mascot of the Montreal Canadiens and the former mascot of the Montreal Expos.
When was Youppi! introduced?
Youppi! was introduced in 1979 as the Montreal Expos’ mascot.
When did Youppi! join the Canadiens?
Youppi! became the Montreal Canadiens’ mascot in 2005, after the Expos left Montreal.
What does the name Youppi! mean?
The name is French for “Yippee!” or a similar celebratory exclamation.
Why is Youppi! notable?
Youppi! is notable as a dual-sport major-league mascot and as the first mascot ejected from a Major League Baseball game.
Has Youppi! been inducted into a hall of fame?
Yes. Youppi! was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youppi!
    Supports: Basic identity, former Expos mascot, current Canadiens mascot, first introduced in 1979, name meaning, jersey exclamation mark
  2. Montreal Canadiens — https://youppi.canadiens.com/en/
    Supports: Official Canadiens mascot page, dual-sport major-league mascot claim, Canadian Mascot Hall of Fame member
  3. Mascot Hall of Fame — https://mascothalloffame.com/mascots/youppi/
    Supports: Induction status and mascot classification
  4. NHL — https://www.nhl.com/fr/canadiens/news/youppi-au-temple-de-la-renommee-312469114
    Supports: Move to Canadiens in 2005, first mascot in two professional leagues, first mascot ejected from an MLB game, Hall of Fame induction
  5. CBC Sports — https://www.cbc.ca/sports/mascot-hall-of-fame-youppi-inducted-expos-canadiens-1.5611763
    Supports: First Canadian-based club mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, Expos and Canadiens history