Hear us out: events in Toronto go above and beyond thanks to major league home games, venues built for open-air connections, offbeat wellness offerings and indoor/outdoor fitness.
With a team in almost every major sports league in North America, and host to major events like the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend, Toronto is a sports’ lovers dream. When it’s game night, you’ll see it on the streets, with Torontonians proudly wearing their jerseys to show support for their team, whether it’s the Raptors, Maple Leafs or the city’s newest team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
"Toronto is a welcoming community of sport. We welcome one and all because we are one and all,” says Tessa Bonhomme, TSN sportscaster, Olympian and former pro hockey player.
Because of this contagious enthusiasm and Toronto’s culturally diverse population, the city is also a testing ground of sorts for major leagues looking to experiment with new concepts and exhibition games, like the WNBA. Wellness is a big scene here, too, with plenty of opportunities for attendees to stay fit while on the road.
Activities in the city for the sports and wellness enthusiasts attending your meeting or event are plentiful, whether that means cheering on the home team at a game, having a sports-themed meal or breaking a sweat themselves.
When building your Toronto itinerary, consider adding some of these experiences to the plan.
1. Have a bite and catch the game at Real Sports or NBA Courtside
Real Sports, right beside the Scotiabank Arena and home to the Raptors and Leafs, is a fantastic venue for an elevated game night. With 100 beers on tap and 200 TVs on display for viewing, the energy here is contagious. For smaller groups, a private dining room can accommodate groups of 13 or more. Equipped with its own bar and casual seating, it’s a space built for networking.
Basketball fans will love the new NBA Courtside restaurant on the city’s waterfront. It’s a new concept for the league. “Toronto is a global test market for the NBA because of its diverse population and number of tourists,” says Leah MacNab, senior vice president of NBA Canada.
Opened in April 2023, a love of the game is infused in every aspect of the space. From an iconic gallery wall of player’s sneakers, including an autographed size 22 shoe from Shaquille O’Neal, to table tops made from former hardwood court floors, this venue will make for a meal to remember. And the intimate upper-level private dining room, for groups of up to 16, is a unique space for meetings.
2. Hotel X’s next-level facilities: pickleball, golf simulator, indoor/outdoor pool and more
While many hotels have fitness centres, there’s none quite like the space at Hotel X, which was home to several NHL teams for the league during the pandemic season. The five-level facility, called 10XTO, is a 90,000-square-foot hub for everything athletic, including four tennis courts, eight squash courts (some now converted to pickleball), pilates and spin studios, and strength training and Technogym spaces.
Most popular with the pros during their stay was the golf simulator. Hotel guests have access 24 hours, as well as the heated indoor/outdoor pool on the 28th floor and gathering spaces like Cafe X, with ample seating and power connections, and a private screening room.
"It's all about ease of use and comfort,” says Matt Black, the hotel’s director of marketing. The hotel’s location is ideal for events taking place on Exhibition Grounds—there’s a direct connection to the Beanfield conference centre, and from there, the Enercare Centre.
3. Add unique city spaces to your programming thanks to Stackt Market and WinterViews
Initially pop-up spaces, Stackt Market and WinterViews have become so beloved by locals that they’re now long-time fixtures, and they’re exciting venues for events, whether it’s a speaker panel with cocktails or a casual social hour to kick off a conference. Both are in buzzy locations in the heart of the city and have original and vibrant mural art as their backdrops.
An always evolving market designed with shipping containers, Stackt’s spaces are malleable, and with indoor and outdoor facilities, any type of experience you want to plan can be achieved. Activate the space in winter with fire pits, winter sports-inspired games (table top curling anyone?) and catering from onsite vendors, such as Blue Moon Brewery.
Nearby in the downtown core, WinterViews—presented by RendezViews—can be reserved as a single venue, or its cozy cabins can be booked individually for team building. Each comes with its own fire pit and catering can be booked, including marshmallows to roast for s’mores. There’s a skating rink here too for those who want to lace up.
“When we designed the space, it was about how we could bring the north to Toronto in a fun, approachable way,” says Marcelo Cabezas, director of external relations and business development for Fifth Entertainment Complex, which manages the site.
4. Get moving after a day of meetings on the outdoor rinks or a trendy bathhouse
Social experiences are essential for team building and for unwinding after a day inside, and Toronto has memorable opportunities that will have your attendees talking long after your event is complete.
The Bentway, a repurposed public space under the Gardiner Expressway, is home to an iconic skating rink surrounded by public art. In the shape of a figure eight, the rink is open for day and evening skates, and gear rentals are available. Nathan Phillips Square, at City Hall, is another picture-perfect rink to consider for public skates.
Warm up and wind down at Othership, which has two locations in the city. The social bathhouse experience is a combination of sauna session and cold plunge, and can be done via guided class or a self-guided visit. The welcoming atmosphere, which is made to foster connections, is perfect for newcomers to this type of relaxation, and still invigorating for those who are cold plunge veterans.