Bustling, cosmopolitan Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with incredible food, art galleries, museums, beaches and nightlife. Canada’s largest city has much to offer tourists and residents alike, but if you like watching professional sport than Toronto is the place to be.

From ice hockey to basketball, baseball and soccer, the city is home to multiple major league teams offering sports fans a wealth of opportunities to experience the thrill of game day Toronto style.

Toronto Raptors

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Home Stadium:Scotiabank Arena

Capacity: 19,800 seats

Founded in 1995 as an expansion team, the Raptors are the only NBA team in Canada. They have won the Eastern Conference Atlantic division six times and claimed their first and only NBA championship in 2019.

Playing their games at the impressive Scotiabank Arena, a home fixture for the Raptors is not to be missed and always creates an electric atmosphere, attracting basketball fans of all ages from across the city.

The closer you get to the stadium in Maple Leaf Square, the greater the noise as the atmosphere builds before a game. Raptors fans in their team jerseys pack out the area pre match as music pumps out. Don’t worry if you can’t get a ticket because there’s a 24-metre screen in the Square allowing fans to watch the game for free and it’s not unusual to find 5000 fans there cheering on their team no matter the weather.

The Scotiabank Arena is Canada’s premier sports and entertainment venue and is home to not only the Raptors, but NBA’s Toronto Raptors and the NLL’s Toronto Rock. Outside there are several unique restaurants and concession stands offering a diverse array of food and drinks that reflect Toronto’s multicultural heritage, while inside the venue there are several impressive restaurants and clubs on offer.

Tourists wanting to add some extra excitement to the game can also have a wager on the outcome through several betting sites, as reported by OLBG.

Location

Scotiabank Arena is located in the heart of the city, close to the CN Tower, multiple theatres, restaurants and hotels. There is ample parking close by and the arena is a two-minute walk from Union Station.

Toronto Maple Leaf’s

Sport: Ice Hockey (NHL)

Home: Scotiabank Arena

Capacity: 18,800 seats

Sharing the Scotiabank Arena with the Raptors are the famous Toronto Maple Leafs, one of only six teams that founded the National Hockey League way back in 1917 and the team with the second most Stanley Cup wins of any NHL team. While the Leafs haven’t had a Stanley Cup win for 54 years, they are still one of the NHL’s most valuable and popular franchises and play to a full house every home game.

Ice Hockey and Canada just go together, so it would be crazy not to take in an ice hockey game when you’re in Toronto. If it’s your first time watching, don’t be surprised to see some fights break out on the ice, but don’t worry, watching the Leafs is a great family day out and the home game atmosphere has to be seen to be believed.

Toronto Blue Jays

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Home: Rogers Centre

Capacity: 53, 506

Founded in 1977, the Blue Jays are the only Major League Baseball team located outside the United States and they remain the only non-American winners of the World Series. Since their 1992 and 1993 World Series victories, the Jays suffered a run of poor form, however recent years have seen an upturn in the team’s fortunes with an American League East division title in 2015 and two wildcard berths in 2016 and 2020.

Whatever the result, seeing a Jays game is something you don’t want to miss. When the retractable roof is shut the roar of the crowd is deafening and don’t be scared when you hear the home run horn honking out across the city. “OK Blue Jays” is the unofficial anthem for the team and always plays during the seventh inning stretch prompting lots of singing and dancing, so get up and join in the fun.

Location

Situated just outside downtown Toronto, the Rogers Centre is surrounded by the Exhibition Place, the CN Tower, plenty of parks and the beautiful waterfront of Lake Ontario. If you can’t get tickets to a game there are tours that run on non-game days that will take you around the stadium and teach you all about the Blue Jays history.

Toronto FC

Sport: Soccer (MLS)

Home: BMO Field

Capacity: 30,000 seats

Toronto FC were formed in 2006 and became the first Canadian team to play in Major League Soccer in 2007. They went on to win the Canadian Championship seven times, and claimed their first ever MLS cup in 2017.

Game day provides a great experience for visitors with the teams red shirted fans creating an exciting atmosphere thanks to flag waving, beating drums and the sound of feet stomping on the metal stands. A stage in the north end of the stadium also plays live music before and after matches.

The stadium has recently undergone a $150 million renovation that has created one of the best soccer arenas in the MLS and a great venue for a day out.

Location

BMO Field is situated on the lakeshore just west of the downtown centre.

Whatever sport you choose to watch when visiting Toronto, you’re guaranteed an experience you won’t forget.