Toronto’s in the Game: Sports & Entertainment

Toronto’s professional sports teams provide year-round excitement. And if you’d also like to be in the game, explore the many recreational activities Toronto has to offer, including fantastic fairs throughout the seasons.

Sports Teams

Toronto is an active playground for sports enthusiasts. The Air Canada Centre (ACC) is home to a few of our teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, our hockey team and the Toronto Raptors, the city’s basketball team since 1995 and Canada’s only NBA team. All home games for Toronto Rock, our national Lacrosse team, are also played at the ACC.

The Rogers Centre is home to our baseball team, Toronto Blue Jays and our Canadian football team, The Toronto Argos. The Jays are now owned by Rogers Communications which renamed their game venue from the Skydome to the Rogers Centre in 2004.

The Toronto Football Club (TFC) is Toronto’s newest sports team, founded in 2007. Their devoted fan base come to games in their signature colours, white and red, at Toronto’s newest stadium, BMO Field.

Notable Sports Bars

There are a variety of lively sports bars for fans to watch their favourite sports. Real Sports, located near the ACC and Rogers Centre, is the ultimate hangout for sports fans. It is labelled as North America’s largest sports bar, with 199 HD TV screens and 112 taps.Hockey fans will love Wayne Gretzky’s, a shrine to the famed hockey player’s personal collection of memorabilia. The sports bar has 20 HD TV screens. The Bottom Line provides a more sophisticated option for the sports fan and in comparison, The Loose Moose is a casual spot rated by the Fan 590 radio station as “the best place to be if you don’t have a ticket.”

Hockey Hall of Fame

Our major sports shrine is the Hockey Hall of Fame, offering the finest collection of hockey artifacts; state-of-the-art games that challenge shooting and goalkeeping skills; and NHL trophies including hands-on access to The Stanley Cup. This is a must-see attraction for hockey fans.

Sporting Events

Year-round, there are a number of great sporting events in Toronto. The Honda Indy Toronto is the fastest racing series on the planet; the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show is Canada’s biggest fishing and outdoor show; and the Rogers Cup showcases the best tennis players in the world at their annual tournament every August.

Entertainment

There are plenty of interactive entertainment complexes and venues downtown. The Ballroom is more than just ten-pin bowling in the heart of the Entertainment District. This two-floor entertainment centre features Molson Canadian Hockey House, a live stage, an X-box centre and more than 60 LED TVs.

Spin Toronto is a 12,000 square foot ping pong social club located in central downtown. The space features 12 ping pong tables, a lounge, a restaurant, a private party room and nightly events.

Polson Pier is the ultimate indoor and outdoor entertainment complex and offers one of the best views of the city skyline. This is a great outdoor destination in the summer and features a drive-in movie theatre, driving range, swimming pool and go-karts.

In downtown Mississauga, Playdium is the ultimate interactive adventure featuring 40 000 sq feet of action-packed games to enjoy. Come experience a variety of arcade games, redemption games, batting cages, outdoor mini-golf, or the go-kart track.

Festivals and Events

The city is a great destination for different fairs for every season. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), our annual large-scale carnival is a send-off to summer. Revel in the excitement of the midway rides and try to win a prize at one of the many games; catch a show or demonstration in one of the many buildings and don’t forget the Air Show, which includes a performance from the iconic Snowbirds.

Canada’s Walk of Fame plaques are located in front of the Princess of Wales Theatre. This tribute to Canadian Achievement and
has included such iconic talents like Russell Peters, Bryan Adams, Sarah Polley, Kids in the Hall and Jim Carrey. At the culmination of TIFF, The Canadian Walk of Fame festival held in late September features some of Canada’s most popular and iconic performers across various venues in downtown Toronto over four days.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair celebrates the winter season and has become the largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition in the world. It is a unique Toronto tradition. You can also browse through the vibrant marketplaces with 300-plus vendors.

The Santa Claus Parade has been a Toronto tradition since 1905, hosted every November to launch the Christmas season where fantastic animated floats in the company of two dozen marching bands and a couple of thousand costumed participants, cheered along by excited kids and adults alike.

Torontonians welcome the onset of the holiday season with the Cavalcade of Lights, a phenomenal fireworks show and the first lighting of the Christmas Tree at Nathan Phillips Square. Musical performances by popular local musicians and pyrotechnic performances bring excitement to the night.

Inspired by the heritage and charm of the European Christmas Markets, Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market is a free annual event for the first two weeks of December located in the Distillery Historic District. Family-friendly entertainment includes musicians, carolers, holiday-themed stage presentations, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo and of course… Santa and his roaming elves! Adults can enjoy shopping the markets and the specialty beer and mulled wine gardens.