Hockey may be a big deal in Canada, but take a look at Toronto and you’ll see that the city’s and nation’s sports fandom extends far beyond the ice rink — and runs strong all year long. The Toronto sports scene is unlike any other.
Toronto has become one of the best sports cities in the world — and one of the most accessible, too, thanks to the stadiums clustered in the downtown core.
Here’s a sport-by-sport look at the city’s pro sports scene: where and when you can watch, what colors to wear, and what to do near the stadium before and after the games. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Basketball
With a 2019 Raptors championship, hockey-crazy Toronto is now very much a basketball town. Because the team shares Scotiabank Arena with the Toronto Maple Leafs from October to April, the teams’ fans share many nearby haunts.
For the game itself, if you can’t get tickets to watch in Scotiabank Arena, head to Maple Leaf Square (also known as “Jurassic Park”), right outside the stadium, where fans gather to watch the game on a giant screen.
Afterward, walk to nearby Real Sports Bar and Grill, now referred to as RS, which has more than 200 TVs and 100 taps.
If you’re willing to go a little further afield for a bite, head toward St. Lawrence Market, a sprawling spot filled with local eats open into the early evening. Grab a quick and excellent bite, like Carousel Bakery‘s “World Famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich.”
Baseball
Rogers Centre, famous for its retractable dome, is the home of the Toronto Blue Jays from March through October. There are plenty of out-of-towner points of interest near this iconic Toronto sports spot. You can tour the Steam Whistle Brewing brewery, visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, or climb up the CN Tower to take in unforgettable views.
Come game time, put on the team’s blue and whites, and head to the stadium or watch the action from special suites in Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel that overlook the diamond.
Afterward, check out a fan-friendly cluster of bars — like the Town Crier Pub or Sportsnet Grill (in Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel) — all steps from the stadium.
Soccer
Toronto’s multiculturalism and love for athletics means the world’s most beloved sport is well appreciated there. Enthusiasm for soccer is a given, especially since Toronto FC won the 2018 MLS cup.
Games happen at BMO Field, nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Ontario, between March and October. Before a match, fans wear reds and white and typically head to Liberty Village, a 10-minute walk from the pitch, for a bite and a pint at a spot like Left Field Brewery.
Afterward, Brazen Head Irish Pub & Restaurant is a hot spot for wrapping up a day well spent enjoying the beautiful game.
Hockey
There’s no bigger sporting event in Toronto than joining the fierce Toronto Maple Leafs fans at Scotiabank Arena for some hockey between October and March.
If you’re a diehard fan, take a short walk to the nearby Hockey Hall of Fame before the game starts. Then put on some blue and white to check out bars like the Loose Moose and tap into the pregame spirit.
To recline after the game with a celebratory (or not) beer and some great pub fare, join fans heading to the nearby Fox on John.
Football
The Toronto Argonauts, who won the Grey Cup in 2018 (it’s the Canadian Football League’s Super Bowl), share BMO Field with Toronto FC, which means Liberty Village is still the perfect pregame spot. For these games, be sure to wear navy and light blue.
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