Build the best weekend getaway around your fave Toronto sports team with major league fun and games.
Celebrate the Major League season in one of the best sports cities. Here’s how to plan an epic weekend getaway around your fave sports team, whether you’re a Toronto Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Toronto FC, Raptors or Argos fan.
Score these itineraries for an action-packed, team-themed vacation.
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.
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.
For Toronto Argonauts fans
The 2022 Grey Cup Champs, the Argos are the CFL’s winningest team with 18 championships to their credit. The team got its neoclassical name from the Argonaut Rowing Club, which founded the football club back in 1873.
(The rowing club still exists today, and you may see members out on the lake if you explore the Martin Goodman Trail in the Waterfront neighbourhood. Try renting a bike from Bike Share Toronto.)
Pre-game, grab drinks and a bite in the neighbourhood around BMO Arena. Stop by bustling Liberty Village for a pint at Something in the Water Brewing Co., then fill up on baja fish tacos and barbacoa quesadillas at Roses Cocina in Hotel X.
Or if you’re in town during an away game, catch the Argos action with like-minded fans. Real Sports boasts a 39-foot HD screen, the largest screen in the city. Alternatively, fit in some bowling and foosball while catching the touchdowns on the 60+ flatscreens at The Ballroom Bowl in the Entertainment District.