Montreal/Toronto
#1 Sports Event (up from #2)
The Montreal men’s event set a new attendance record of more than 216,000 in 2017, with Canadian teen Denis Shapovalov making history and beating Rafael Nadal. Entertainment included performances from Volta, by Cirque du Soleil. The women’s event in Toronto celebrated 125 years and introduced a new trophy. Next: August 2018
National
#2 Sports Event
The 105th Grey Cup festival and game move to Ottawa this year to celebrate Canada 150 and the unique game that’s played by the Canadian Football League. Shaw is the presenting sponsor for the festival—which should draw more than 250,000 fans— and the game, for which 36,000 are expected. Next: November 22-26, 2017
Montreal
#3 Sports Event (up from #4)
Attendance grew by 15 percent in 2017 thanks to the participation of Canadian driver Lance Stroll and the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Formula 1 in Canada. Heineken, which has a global partnership with Formula 1, returned as a sponsor. Next: June 8-10, 2018
Toronto
#4 Sports Event
The family-friendly race car weekend saw increased advance ticket sales in 2017, with organizers expecting more than 100,000 attendees over the three-day event. New this year: the N.H.L. Centennial Fan Arena. Sponsors include Meridian and Petro-Canada. Next: July 2018
Toronto
#5 Sports Event
The highlight of 2017’s RBC-sponsored golf tournament was The Rink: the 7th hole at Glen Abbey Golf Club was transformed into a rink-style fan zone, with a Zamboni machine and new “rink”-side bleachers for the week’s 100,000 spectators. For players, the purse grew by $100,000 to $6 million. Next: July 23-29, 2018
Vancouver to Whistler
#6 Sports Event
Participation was expected to grow to 4,500 riders in 2017, with three race distances to choose from: 55, 122, or 152 kilometers. RBC remained the title sponsor of the scenic $50,000-purse event, and Subway joined as a gold sponsor. Next: September 2018
Vancouver
#7 Sports Event
In 2017, runners from a record 65 countries participated in the sold-out, BMO-sponsored event, whose tagline is “Stunning Running.” The scenic course is 70 percent shoreline and boasted 30 on-course entertainment stations and one mid-marathon wedding this year. Next: May 6, 2018
Toronto
#8 Sports Event
Canada’s most famous horserace, with a $1 million purse, took place over Canada Day this year, making the two-day Queen’s Plate Festival and concerts by Our Lady Peace and Kardinal Offishall more celebratory than ever. The posh Hats & Horseshoes Party was once again sponsored by Stella Artois. Next: July 1, 2018
Fairbanks, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon
#9 Sports Event (up from #10)
The purse for the 1,600-kilometer (1,000-mile) dogsled race grows by another $5,000 (U.S.) to at least $125,000 (U.S.) in 2018. The 2017 race comprised 22 mushers and was sponsored by the City of Fairbanks and Tourism Yukon. Next: February 3, 2018
Lake Louise
#10 Sports Event
The world’s fastest ski racers launch the World Cup speed events at the Lake Louise Ski Resort again this year. The event, sponsored by Audi and broadcast to an audience of 184 million, hosts the men’s and women’s downhill and Super-G races. Next: November 25-December 3, 2017
