#1 Sports Event (up from #2)
New Zealand driver Scott Dixon racked up his third win of the season at this year’s Honda-sponsored event. More than 100,000 Indy fans were expected to attend over the family-friendly weekend, including free-admission Fan Friday. Next: July 2019
#2 Sports Event (up from #3)
The festival for Canada’s oldest thoroughbred horse race grew to three days this year, returning to the Woodbine Racetrack over the Canada Day weekend. Aside from the marquee event, the $1-million Queen’s Plate race, 2018 saw the return of the Stella Artois Hats and Horseshoes Party, and the Budweiser Beer Garden was a new addition. Next: July 2019
#3 Sports Event
The best in men’s tennis return to the Rogers Cup in Toronto this year, when Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is expected to compete. For the first time, fans can subway all the way to the courts, thanks to a new subway line extension. The induction of Daniel Nestor into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame is an expected highlight. Next: August 4-12, 2018
#4 Sports Event
Named the most fan-friendly event by the P.G.A. Tour, the purse for the RBC-sponsored tourney is growing again this year, by $200,000, to $6.2 million and Steam Whistle Brewing will be the new, official beer partner. In 2019, the event moves to June, one week before the U.S. Open, at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Next: July 23-29, 2018
#5 Sports Event
The Jays sold out the Rogers Centre for opening day again this year, with 48,000 fans in attendance to witness the commemoration of pitcher Roy “Doc” Halladay and a loss to the New York Yankees. Everyone received free T-shirts and one lucky ticket holder won a new Honda Civic courtesy of Honda Canada. Spring 2019
#6 Sports Event (up from #7)
The Scotiabank-sponsored race—the fastest marathon by finish time in all of the Americas in 2017—sold out again, with 27,000 participants from a record 74 countries, including almost 500 from Mexico. The race was livestreamed and watched in 140 countries, plus 162,000 viewers caught the event on Twitter. In 2018, Air France/KLM are set to sponsor a live drone broadcast. Next: October 21, 2018
#7 Sports Event
Slightly more than 26,000 fans attended the 2018 home opener against the Columbus Crew SC at BMO Field this year, with the first 500 receiving Toronto FC branded sunglasses. A pre-match party, held at Stanley Barracks pub, got the Red Patch Boys in the mood, with a March to the Match led by the entertainment drumline 416 Beats. Next: Spring 2019
#8 Sports Event (up from #9)
Sponsored by Goodlife Fitness, the marathon and associated shorter runs drew 13,000 participants in 2018, a 10 percent increase over the previous year. Fund-raisers also helped net $600,000 for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and other charities. Next: May 5, 2019
#9 Sports Event
Inductees for 2017 included Teemu Selanne and Mark Recchi, while Mark Messier and Jari Kurri captained the Haggar Legends Classic game. About 1,300 people are expected to take part in weekend activities this year, including the gala induction ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Next: November 12, 2018
