Home to groundbreaking gaming startups, epic venues and many famous streamers, Toronto is the place for esports. Here are some surprising facts about the city's industry.
Over the last few years, Toronto has become a top esports destination globally by blending grassroots enthusiasm with homegrown professional talent. Thanks to this, the city has a track record of hosting major tournaments like the Call of Duty League’s (CDL) Toronto Ultra Major III and the Overwatch League (OWL) Grand Finals. And the esports industry is here to stay—and grow—in Toronto.
As the esports scene continues to gain momentum, Toronto is solidifying itself as an industry champion. Want to learn more? Read on for 10 groundbreaking things happening in Toronto’s esports sector.
1. Canada’s Overwatch World Cup journey began at U of T
Our country’s journey to competing in the Overwatch World Cup began at the University of Toronto (U of T), where Ronald "Renanthera" Ly captained the school’s Tespa Overwatch team. His leadership and talent led him to coaching roles with Boston Uprising, Mayhem Academy and ultimately Team Canada. U of T’s impact on Canadian esports is undeniable—serving as a launchpad for top talent.
2. Toronto Metropolitan University is driving esports education forward
The Red Bull Gaming Hub at the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is positioning Toronto at the forefront of esports innovation. This facility is the spot for industry research, education and creative collaboration in game design, esports broadcasting and virtual production. In addition to hosting esports events, this space creates an environment that supports both curricular and extracurricular activities to foster the next generation of talent and leaders.
3. Many world-famous streamers were born here
It should come as no surprise that in a city that supports esports as much as Toronto does, that there’s a ton of homegrown talent that find their way into the industry. For instance, Michael "Shroud" Grzesiek, a world-famous streamer, was born here. His Twitch channel has over 11 million followers, making him the ninth most-followed person on the platform. Meanwhile, his YouTube channel has almost seven million subscribers where he currently streams Marvel Rivals and has amassed over one billion views.
4. The Toronto Mattamy Athletic Centre is emerging as the best spot for world-class teams
The Toronto Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly the historic Maple Leaf Gardens, made history in 2023 by hosting the final OWL Grand Finals; it was the first time the event had ever been hosted outside the U.S. With a seating capacity of over 3,500, it provided an unforgettable atmosphere for the sold-out esports crowd. Today, it continues to serve as a prime location for competitive gaming events such as Toronto Ultra Major III.
5. Esports are taking centre stage at Fan Expo Canada
Fan Expo Canada consistently draws over 135,000 attendees each year—and its esports presence is getting stronger. The Bell Esports Challenge has cemented itself as a premier proving ground for amateur talent, most recently offering $30,000 in prize money at the Valorant, Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty tournaments. With live finals at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, it has become a significant highlight at one of the most popular conventions in the city.
6. Toronto is fuelling the rise of esports company founders
Jeremy “Disguised Toast” Wang’s foray into esports with his company Disguised is a groundbreaking moment for the industry. The Taiwanese-Canadian creator, who was named the Esports Personality of the Year in 2023, calls Ontario home. His investment in professional Valorant tournament circuit and his focus on championing inclusivity in esports highlights how talent from Toronto has helped shape the esports industry.
7. Canada’s largest and most prestigious fighting game event takes place here
Get on My Level isn’t just any fighting game event. It’s Canada’s largest and most prestigious and a global battleground for the top competitors in games like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8 and so much more. Over the years, it has become a must-attend event in the esports scene and draws top talent from around the world; in 2024, it was hosted at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.
8. Gaming startups have built a global presence in Toronto
Enthusiast Gaming’s rise from a niche gaming media startup to a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange showcases the city’s growing influence in global gaming and digital media. With its roots in Toronto, Enthusiast Gaming has built a major presence through gaming journalism publications like Destructoid and Escapist Magazine, as well as the Gaming Live Expo, which is a key industry convention held in the city.
9. The Red Bull Gaming Studio is supporting Canada’s top esports champions
The Red Bull Gaming Studio, not to be confused with the Red Bull Gaming Hub at TMU, isn’t just another gaming venue. Sure, it hosts major tournaments for Street Fighter 6 and Valorant, but thanks to its impressive production space and giant screens for live gameplay, it’s a key destination for Toronto’s esports scene. The studio is a leading destination for Canada’s top esport athletes to create content, as well as network—and help grow and foster—the industry.
10. OverActive Media is building one of the country’s first esports spectator arenas in Toronto
OverActive Media, an esports and entertainment company based in Toronto, has plans to build one of the country’s first spectator arenas devoted specifically to esports. The company, which currently owns Toronto Ultra from the CDL, MAD Lions from the League of Legends EMEA Championship and Toronto Defiant from the OWL, announced their vision for a 7,000-seat venue at Exhibition Place 2021.
