If you’re an Ontario-based sports fan then boy have you had an epic decade. The province, and particularly its capital Toronto, has seen megastars arrive and go on to secure their status as champions. And while Canada often gets overlooked for its sporting prowess in favour of its neighbouring United States, the Great White North has done more than its fair share to put itself on the map in recent years.
The region’s passionate fanbase is deserving of success. For years, the city has been bypassed in the sporting sense in favour of Montreal, a city that boasted UFC all-time great, Georges St. Pierre, as one of its own. But in recent times, more of a spotlight has been shone on Toronto, and as such, a plethora of big-name companies have been looking to partner up and share the city’s success.
Major Partnerships
One of those major partnerships was signed last April when Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, an owner of a number of Toronto’s top sports teams, announced a megamoney deal with popular online sportsbook and casino PointsBet. The growing popularity of the online betting sphere has seen a number of new establishments crop up with some of the ones working in Ontario being reviewed here. PointsBet has been rated at 4.1/5 for customers, but the teams they partner with have also seen a number of doors open. None more so than MLS’ Toronto FC.
Toronto FC
Barely three months after the new partnership was signed, Canada’s biggest soccer team announced the signings of Italian sensations Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, two men who helped the Azzurri to European Championship success barely a year prior. The duo has taken the city by storm, however, they are yet to transform the team’s fortunes back to the all-conquering side of 2017.
Led by captain Michael Bradley, Toronto FC made history that year by winning the MLS Cup and becoming the first Canadian team to do so. Second-half goals from American striker Jozy Altidore and former Barcelona youngster Victor Vazquez were enough to secure a 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders in the final. Their passionate fan base, known as the “Red Patch Boys,” brings unparalleled energy to every game at the 30,000-seat BMO Field.
Toronto Maple Leafs
A household name across North America, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the NHL’s “Original Six” teams. Since their inception in 1917, the Leafs have won a total of 13 Stanley Cup championships, though their last win came in 1967. But that hasn’t stopped their dedicated fan base from continuing to support the team through thick and thin. With legends like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner leading the charge, the Leafs are poised for even more success in the future.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have come a long way since their humble beginnings in 1995 as an expansion team. In 2019, the Raptors captured their first NBA championship, led by All-Star Kawhi Leonard and a cast of talented players. But what truly sets the Raptors apart is their incredible fan base, known as the “Raptors Nation.” From Jurassic Park, the outdoor viewing area outside the team’s arena, to the deafening cheers inside the stadium, the Raptors have cemented themselves as a true fan favourite.
