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If you’re craving an action-packed, sports-filled getaway, then Canada is the place to be. Best known as the epicentre of hockey, you can also catch pro basketball and football games, and it often hosts world championships for things like skiing, curling and tennis. Here are three cities in Canada to get your sports fix.
Toronto
No matter what kind of fan you are, you’re sure to find your kind of event in Canada’s largest city, Toronto. “The Six” boasts a myriad of sports teams for fans to get behind, encompassing nearly every activity under the sun. Watching the Toronto Maple Leafs is the hottest ticket in town, and with about 40 home games a year there are plenty of opportunities to see this Original Six team in action.
The Toronto Raptors are the only pro basketball team in the NBA outside of the USA, and even took home the championship in 2019 to much fanfare. If you go to a game, be sure to scan the stands for the rapper Drake, who’s one of the team’s biggest fans!
Those visiting the city during summer can catch Major League Baseball games at the Rogers Centre, which hosts the Toronto Blue Jays. The stadium has a retractable roof and is right under the famous CN Tower in the heart of downtown, and also has soccer games where you can see the Toronto FC in action. If you’re searching for something a bit more unique, check out the Toronto Rock lacrosse team at the Scotiabank Arena or the Toronto Wolfpack rugby team over at Lamport Stadium.
Great seats for the Jays/Yankees game!
Montreal
Montreal truly is a magical city, and aside from all the sightseeing you’ll want to do there are also lots of sports-related attractions.
The Montreal Canadiens are one of the most beloved hockey teams in Canada, and the atmosphere inside the Bell Centre is electric each time this NHL team hits the ice. For a blast from the past, head to the Montréal Olympic Stadium (Parc Olympique) to view any number of sporting events which take place there throughout the year.
The Montreal Alouettes football team plays during the spring and summer, and the city also hosts F1 racing each year. In fact, the Montreal Grand Prix is the biggest sporting event in Canada attracting more than 100-thousand people per day, which makes for quite the party. Can’t make it there in person? Keep the fun going by heading to one of the live casinos.
Montreal skyline
Calgary
Calgary has a reputation for being the ‘wild west’ of Canada, and it’s also known as playing host to the 1988 Winter Olympics. There are plenty of sports-related legacy projects as a result, including Canada Olympic Park where you can see the ski jump and even go for a lightning-fast ride down the bobsled track.
Going to a Calgary Flames game is a must-do for hockey fans, as the Scotiabank Saddledome is one of the loudest arenas in the league, which also hosts lacrosse games and concerts. To get your football fix head up to McMahon Stadium, to catch the Stampeders CFL team in action.
During the winter, hit the hills in Kananaskis and Banff to go skiing or snowboarding, head north to Sundre for some outdoor horseback riding, or time your visit for July to watch the rodeo at the Calgary Stampede, which is also known as the greatest outdoor show on earth.
The downtown Calgary skyline and Saddledome from Scotsman’s Hill.
