National
#1 Sports Event
This year the Argos’ hometown hosts the festival and game, to be played in the team’s new home, BMO Field, with natural grass, for the first time. The festival takes over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Shaw is the main presenter. Next: November 23-27, 2016
Montreal/Toronto
#2 Sports Event
Montreal hosted the best in women’s tennis this year, and men played in Toronto, where Cirque du Soleil staged live acrobatic performances between matches. Novak Djokovic won his fourth men’s title, while on the women’s side Simona Halep won her first. National Bank returned as the presenting sponsor for the tournaments. Next: August 2017
Toronto
#3 Sports Event
The car race—dubbed Ontario’s largest sporting event—marked its 30th edition this year. The Nascar Pinty’s series was new for 2016, and other sponsors included Pinty’s Delicious Foods and Tim Horton’s. Next: July 2017
Montreal
#4 Sports Event
Attendance grew again in 2015 for the European-style event that takes place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, on Île Notre-Dame. Kids under age 15 received free admission, and seniors could buy tickets for half the price. Heineken, the worldwide Formula 1 sponsor, was the official beer. Next: June 2017
Oakville
#5 Sports Event
The purse for the RBC-sponsored golf tournament, held at Glen Abbey Golf Club, grew to $5.9 million (U.S.) in 2016. Tickets for kids were free again this year, and a five-kilometer race around the historic golf course was added. Next: July 24-30, 2017
Vancouver to Whistler
#6 Sports Event (up from #8)
Participation in the ultra-scenic bicycle ride grew to 4,000 in 2016. Regular riders and pros are welcome on the 122-kilometer race from downtown Vancouver to the mountains of Whistler. RBC returned as the title sponsor. Next: September 2017
Vancouver
#7 Sports Event (up from #9)
A record 16,500 runners from 50 countries participated in the BMO-sponsored races in 2016, with the marathon, half-marathon, and eight-kilometer race selling out early. The Health, Sports, and Lifestyle Expo took place at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Next: May 7, 2017
Toronto
#8 Sports Event (up from #9)
Attendance at the country’s most prestigious horse race, with a $1 million purse, grew to 37,000 in 2016. High society mixed with rockers as Canadian bands the Strumbellas and Hedley put on post-race shows. Stella Artois sponsored the Hats & Horseshoes party again. Next: July 2017
Lake Louise
#9 Sports Event (up from #10)
Hosting both men’s and women's downhill and super-G races, the World Cup speed circuit event is held at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and broadcast to 184 million viewers worldwide. The event, the only one of its kind in Canada, welcomes fans with a free fan cheering zone. Next: November 26-December 4, 2016
Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon
#10 Sports Event (up from #11)
The purse for the 1,600-kilometer dogsled race grows by $5,000 (U.S.) to a minimum of $120,000 (U.S.) in 2017. The Sportsmanship Award went to a rookie musher, 19-year-old Laura Neese, in 2016, when sponsors included the City of Fairbanks and Tourism Yukon. Next: February 4, 2017
