Toronto’s best sporting arenas you can check out

Toronto as a sporting environment is a very rare one, this is because virtually everywhere you look, there’s a different sport being played. From Basketball to Soccer, Toronto has it all. Unlike most areas which specialise in certain sports, Toronto has a rich history with numerous different sports. Whilst it does have its specialities, you’ll find a massive fanbase behind each sport and its team local to Toronto.

Toronto skyline
Photo by ennvisionn

With these sports all being as popular as sports betting, they need a place to showcase their skills, and that’s where arenas come in. In this article we’ll be taking a look into some of the best sporting arenas and which ones you should test out for yourself.

Scotiabank Arena

Indoor sports are extremely popular in Toronto, with such sports as Basketball and Ice Hockey, it’s no surprise to see the Scotiabank Arena on this list. Originally opened in 1999 and recently rebranded in 2018, it’s been host to these sports for a number of years now.

Due to being around for so long, it’s seen its fair share of historic moments. From the Raptor’s historic NBA Championship run back in 2019, if you’re a fan of indoor sports, then this is one you definitely need to visit. With a capacity of over 19,000, the atmosphere is sure to be incredible whenever you go.

Rogers Centre (Skydome)

Originally opening in 1989, the Rogers Centre holds the record for officially being the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable roof, making it years ahead of other stadiums and a real win for the city. Set in the heart of Toronto, the Rogers Centre is actually the only Major league Baseball stadium in the whole of Canada.

Alongside hosting numerous MLB games, it’s also been host to a number of non-sporting events such as massive music concerts and even some wrestling events. With a seating capacity of over 50 thousand, on a packed sporting day, the atmosphere gets quite wild when everyone gets into it.

BMO Field

The BMO Field is home to two teams, the first being the soccer team Toronto FC, whilst also hosting football side Toronto Argonauts. The BMO Field was originally made specifically for Toronto FC. It was made in 2007 as this was Toronto FC’s first season in the Major League Soccer, it helped the growing popularity of Soccer in the city and Canada.

It was home to Toronto FC’s famous league title back in 2017, which saw them ahead of the likes of La Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, it was a historic win and really put Canada and Toronto on the map for soccer.

The stadium is located on the lakeside, and paired with its magnificent modern design, it’s no surprise to see this being one of the most popular locations for sports fans visiting Toronto.

Varsity Stadium

Right in the middle of the University of Toronto campus, Varsity Stadium has seen it all. It first opened back in 1911 and has been rebuilt a few times since then, most recently in 2007. Over the years, it’s hosted everything from early Grey Cup games to track meets, soccer matches, and even concerts.

These days, it’s a modern space with room for about 5,000 fans and is mainly used for university football and soccer. Even after all this time, it still feels like a big part of the city’s sports scene and a reminder of Toronto’s love for amateur athletics.

Coca-Cola Coliseum

Just a short walk from BMO Field, this smaller arena is home to the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs. It first opened back in 1921 as the Coliseum at Exhibition Place, and after some renovations, it’s now known as the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

It’s definitely not as big or flashy as Scotiabank Arena, but that’s part of the charm—it offers a more up-close and personal hockey experience. Beyond hockey, it still sticks to its roots by hosting everything from agricultural shows to fairs and concerts, staying true to its role as a versatile part of the Exhibition Grounds.

In recent years, Canada has grown significantly in terms of popularity for other sports. Whilst some are more popular than others, the other sports are definitely catching up. For Toronto, it’s a city that has a vast incoming of tourists each year, so for these people visiting that also enjoy sports, having these venues for them to visit is the icing on the cake.

With the 2026 Soccer world cup being hosted between Canada, the US and Mexico, we’re sure these fans will be making a trip to see their country play in what is possibly the biggest sporting tournament in the world. It’s never been a better time to visit these stadiums, which one will you visit first.

 

 

About Joel Levy 2713 Articles
Publisher at Toronto Guardian. Photographer and Writer for Toronto Guardian and Joel Levy Photography