Toronto Game Plan: Your Perfect Weekend Itinerary for Die-Hard Sports Fans

For Toronto Blue Jays fans

For an unparalleled view of Rogers Centre and the city skyline, visit the CN Tower and get an endorphin high by getting harnessed in and braving EdgeWalk—the hands-free walk around the 356-metre-high top of the tower. While downtown, pop into the West Wing at Union Station for a selfie with the Toronto Blue Jays mural by artist David Loran.

If you’re itching to play some ball yourself, head to Baseline Sports in North York, where you’ll find 20,000 square feet decked out with 12 full-size retractable batting cages to improve your skills.

On game day, start with grub Cabano's Cheeseburgers for the Whit Stack, a burger featuring two ground beef patties, cheese, pickled jalapenos, deep-fried pickles and a spicy burger sauce created by Jays’ second baseman Whit Merrifield.

Then head into Rogers Centre early so you can explore all of the fun additions, including the new bars such as The Stop, arcade games at Westjet Flight Deck and—if you still have room—new menu items, including a poutine hot dog.

For Toronto Maple Leafs fans

Every NHL fan must make a pilgrimage to the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is home to the Stanley Cup and features exhibits including a to-scale replica of the Montreal Canadiens dressing room. You’ll also find interactive virtual experiences such as the Goodyear Shoot Out, where you can go head-to-head with life-sized computer simulations of goaltenders like former Leaf, Frederik Andersen.

Leafs fans will also want to visit Maple Leaf Gardens, once Canada’s largest arena and now a National Historic Site. (Although the venue is now a supermarket, a marker remains to signify what was once the centre ice faceoff spot.)

To fuel your game night, splash out on a meal at Miku. This Japanese fine dining restaurant is just a five-minute walk from home ice at the Scotiabank Arena and is known for its aburi (flame-seared) cuisine and is a favourite of Leafs’ centre and alternate captain, Auston Matthews.

For Toronto FC fans

With a number of supporter groups, you’ll want to check the social media for any meetups: Red Patch Boys often host watch parties at Mill Street Brew Pub in the Distillery District, and the club was formally founded at the Rhino Bar & Grill, a Parkdale pub you can easily walk to. (This local watering hole is distinguished by an eclectic bar menu that includes boar burgers, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches, vegan tempeh sandwiches and faux-fish and chips.)

Even though the FIFA Women’s World Cup has concluded, soccer fans should check out Little Italy, where neighbourhood joints such as Cafe Diplomatico get packed with frenzied footie fans.  

On game day, though, you’ll want to be in Liberty Village—it comes alive whenever TFC plays, as it’s just under 10 minutes from BMO Field. Grab a bite at any one of the neighbourhood’s casual hot spots: Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery has a tender 1/2-lb beef brisket, or if you’ve got burger cravings, head to Local Public Eatery for a truffle cheeseburger.

For Toronto Raptors fans

Kick off your sports weekend with retail therapy and a stop at the Toronto Eaton Centre shopping mall for OVO-Raptors collab gear from OVO, superstar Raptors fan Drake’s lifestyle brand. Next, head to Westside’s Exhibition Place for a selfie with the signature owl logo on the Raptors training facility, the OVO Athletic Centre.

You can keep the Drake theme going by dining at one of the rapper’s favourite restaurants, Sotto Sotto, in ritzy Yorkville. Or opt for Thai instead at Pai, where you may bump into NBA players—many have been spotted at Pai’s Entertainment District location on Duncan Street. Co-owner Jeff Regular is a huge Raptors fan, and you’ll find some cocktails named after Raptors players.

To shoot some hoops or just to get a killer Instagram photo, stop by the basketball court at Stanley Park, which has just been revamped with upgraded surfaces, acrylic backboards and a stunning court-size mural by Toronto-based street artist Ben Johnston, entitled Dreamers.

Finally, before heading into the game, take a walk (and photo!) in Jurassic Park outside of Scotiabank Arena—the courtyard (officially named Maple Leaf Square) where fans gather to rally during the playoffs and watch the game on the big screen.