As one of North America’s largest cities, Toronto is a place with a lot of love for its (many) professional sports teams and has a vibrant scene for sports enthusiasts. Did you know that Toronto has teams in nearly every North American professional sports league?
From ice hockey and basketball to baseball and soccer, Toronto is home to some of the most well-known die-hard fans on the planet. Are you planning to move and settle down in Toronto? If you and your family like to stay physically active, and are also self-admitted sports junkies, then you’ve made the right choice.
Toronto is a sports city like no other — it’s full of sports bars, athletic centres and recreational areas, and plenty of summer sports activities for kids.
Let’s look at why Toronto is one the best places for sports fanatics, and how you can take advantage of all it has to offer.
A Like-minded Community
Toronto is big city composed of many different parts. It’s a cityscape connected by neighbourhoods and districts that are all literally threaded together by overhead streetcar wires and power lines, and more than that, by a deeply rooted love for the city’s unique culture and traditions. Torontonians love to bond with other like-minded fans at sports bars when a Toronto team is playing. For example, imagine one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods like Yorkville on a warm summer’s evening. As soon as you turn down Cumberland Street, you’re bound to hear cheers coming from Hemmingway’s, one of Yorkville’s most beloved and oldest sports bars.
Not only does the bar televise sports events involving Toronto teams, but it also plays international games such as cricket and rugby. It also has a beautiful outdoor patio and a delicious menu of pub food and unique cocktails.
Of course, there are many places to watch sports in Toronto—also check out The Dock Ellis in Little Portugal or Real Sports in the financial district.
Sport Culture
In addition to the pride the city shows for its sports teams, there is also wide variety of sports culture that locals enjoy. For example, the amount of curated sports memorabilia Toronto has is impressive—there are multiple museums, retail collections, and annual conventions celebrating Toronto sports of all kinds that are open throughout the year.
For example, the Hockey Hall of Fame is the internationally recognized museum dedicated to telling the game of ice hockey’s story, displaying its history, artifacts, notable players, teams, and other memorabilia, including the Stanley Cup. You may find public events and exhibitions on great hockey players like Hayley Wickenheiser, and other legends, past and present. There is also the annual Sports Card & Memorabilia Expo, Canada’s longest running sports collectables show. This takes place every April at the International Centre in Mississauga.
Speaking of sports legends, Toronto certainly has its share of them. If you’ve ever watched an NBA Raptors game, you will probably be familiar with Raptors legend Jack Armstrong — the sportscaster who has been bringing Raptors game to life since 1998. In 2019, the Raptors won the playoffs, and Toronto has been NBA obsessed ever since. The city loves to celebrate him, and other notable Toronto sports figures, at sports events and conventions. For example, he appeared with retired Toronto Maple Leafs player, Rick Vaive, at this year’s Sports Card & Memorabilia Expo. You never know what who you’ll run into in Toronto!
How to Maintain an Active Lifestyle
If you are new to the city, embracing activities where you can meet new people might be a top priority. Fortunately, Toronto is a city where maintaining an active lifestyle is easy and accessible. There are so many outdoor recreational centres, sports clubs, and fitness gyms to check out. Not to mention there are numerous Toronto golf courses spread across the city and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for locals to experience.
Now that the summer has finally arrived, golf courses are officially open for business. Playing golf is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and socialize with other golf enthusiasts in Toronto.
Just north of the city in Alton, Osprey Valley holds three distinct courses that are all part of the TPC Network, which makes them PGA-approved. The club also offers unique events for club members to mingle and network, such as “A Night for the Ladies” – where women can enjoy drinks and food on the patio, as well as nine holes of golf.
Toronto also has world-class golf courses within its city limits. The Oakdale Golf & Country Club is located near Downsview Park in the suburb of North York. This June, the country club will host the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, welcoming champions such as Justin Rose and Tyrrel Hatton. It has 27 holes, a pool, tennis courts, and is known for being one of Toronto’s most family-friendly country clubs to join.
It’s also a city full of beautiful parks and outdoor green space, swimming pools, and a wide variety of athletic clubs. Toronto is right on Lake Ontario, so there are also options to participate in activities like sailing and boating. No matter how you like to stay active, there is always something exciting to do in Toronto and to make friends along the way.
City Living
Living in Toronto provides access to some of the country’s most beautiful golf courses, an abundance of outdoor and fitness activities, and endless sports bars and sports-related events. Toronto sports teams, such as the Raptors, the Blue Jays, or the AFC Toronto City, provide city residents endless pride and possibilities to connect with other fans and sports enthusiasts.
Contact Harvey Kalles Real Estate, the best real estate brokerage in Toronto, to learn how to be part of the city’s vibrant sport scene. They’ll help you find the perfect home for your needs so you can always be part of the action. Whether it’s grabbing a pint at a Toronto sports bar to catch the game, checking out an exhibit about the NHL, or working on your golf swing on a beautiful course this summer, there is never a dull moment living in Canada’s biggest sports city.
