NBOpen - Toronto
The National Bank Open is a unique tournament in the realm of professional tennis. It is one of the only tennis tournaments that I know that is split between two cities. Toronto and Montreal alternate the men’s and women’s events each year. If you are a “tennis groupie” or as I like to say a tennis traveler, this tennis tournament might be one for you!
The men’s tournament is an ATP Masters 1000 level event. As the women’s is a WTA 1000 level tournament. What this means is that there are a lot of ranking points up for grabs. Thus, most of the highest ranked players are bound to show up.
When is the National Bank Open?
The tournament is traditionally held the first week of August every year. There is a caveat around this statement as in Olympic year those dates can shift to accommodate the Olympic tennis tournament.
For example, this year, 2024, the dates were pushed back a day. While qualifying was played on the first Saturday and Sunday, much of the main draw did not start until Tuesday. Plus, the finals were not played until the following Monday.
Another note for future NBO’s is that all 1000-level tournaments will become 12 day tournaments starting in 2025. So when planning your trip make sure you line up the dates you are visiting Toronto or Montreal, align with the days of the tournament you want to attend.
Tickets Generally go on Sale in the Spring, Check here for availability:
If that doesn’t work check out: Tennis Canada
What is the history of the National Bank Open?
The National Bank Open, previously known as the Canadian Open, is one of the oldest tennis tournaments. It is second only to Wimbledon!
Men’s play started in 1881 while the women soon followed in 1892. Many legendary players have played and won the tournament over the years. Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Andre Agassi, and Ivan Lendl just to name a few.
Where is the National Bank Open Played in Toronto?
Through its early history the tournament was played at several smaller clubs throughout Toronto. A tennis centre was opened on the campus of York University in the 1970s.
Many of us old timers remember this site near the Chimney Stack Road. I remember hanging out at the tournament in my early days in Toronto. I used to chuckle at the complaints of many players about the court conditions of the outside courts. They were very uneven.
In 2004, the new site was opened at its current location on the northwest corner of York U.’s campus. It was then known as the Rexall Centre. Rebranded as the Aviva Centre in 2015. Finally, in 2022 it has become Sobey’s Stadium.
What Hotels Are Near The Sobeys Stadium – NBOpen Toronto
For those of you not from the Toronto area, Sobeys Stadium and York U are conveniently close to Toronto’s Pearson Airport. If you are a seasoned traveller, you will know that hotel rates near to the airport tend to be less expensive than in the city core.
The trade off when staying nearer the airport region is lack of other things to do while in town. However, if you are travelling with children or the adventure seekers, you are close to Canada’s Wonderland, a large amusement park just north of Toronto.
Here are some hotel listings near the York U region
Downtown Toronto Hotels
Toronto will offer you all the major hotel chains plus boutique hotels in the downtown core. You will also find many of the condo buildings will have Air BnB or Vrbo rentals should that be your choice.
Staying downtown Toronto will offer you more things to do. Art Galleries, museums, nightclubs, restaurants and more abound downtown.
Here are some hotel listings for downtown Toronto core that you might want to check out:
National Bank Open Toronto: How to get to and from?
I will start with getting there by car. I do not recommend but if you are one of those who insist on driving here are some things to note.
First, you will need to pay for parking at the time you buy your tickets. From what friends tell me it is not cheap. But beyond that while there is a huge parking lot just across the street, it is reserved for staff and the like. The other parking lots for spectators are across the campus from which you will need to wait for and take shuttle buses to and from the grounds.
Toronto has one of the best transit systems in North America. The closest subway station to the NBO is Pioneer Village Station. From there it is about a 15 to 20 minute walk.
However, you can just head up to the bus platform and hop on the 106 bus (Sentinal Road) or during the peak days of the tournament the TTC has been running a shuttle bus. Both of these buses will drop you off right outside the entrance to the grounds.
Taxis would be very expensive. Ride share firms like Uber or Lyft could be alternatives depending on your budget. I did some estimates from the hotels in that area, and you will probably end up spending $12 to $18 CAD to get to the site. Caution however: traffic can be horrid at this time and during rush hours. So, pack your patience.
If you are staying downtown, I would recommend transit over ride-shares. You would be looking at anywhere over $60 CAD depending on your location. You could take the TTC to a station in the region – Sheppard West, Finch West, York U and then ride share from those if you were so inclined.
What to do in Toronto When Not at NBOpen?
Summer in Toronto is festival time. You will find tons of things to do to keep you busy. I am not going into details in this post, but you can check out my post on summer-time activities in Toronto here.
Another option for you is to spend part of the week in Toronto then the later part of the week in Montreal (or vice versa).
Travel between the two cities is quick and easy. On average, it is about a 1-hour flight. However, your total transit time can be much longer. Getting to and from airports is a chore in and of itself. Check out using the widget below flights and costs from YYZ to YUL
As a regular traveler, I don’t have to tell you that checking in and security lines can add another one to two hours. That said it can be a 3-to-4-hour journey.
My suggestion if you schedule allows it would be to book your transition between the cities using Via Rail. The downtown-to-downtown service cuts the transit from airports to downtown out. You can see some beautiful Canadian scenery in comfort. If you can afford the upgrade to Via One Business class, I highly recommend it. Follow the link here to book with Via Rail.
NBOpen Toronto - FAQs on Pro Tennis Tournaments
For those of you who are looking to attend your first professional tournament or attend infrequently, I have put together some FAQs on questions I get asked a lot:
If I buy tickets to the finals who will I see (can I guarantee my favourite player will play the final)?
There is no guarantee on who you will see in the final if you buy tickets for the finals. That is the nature of sport; that is why you play the games. On any given day any player could beat a higher ranked player.
On top of that, players could withdraw due to sickness or injury at any time.
I personally like to get tickets for early in the week. That way most players are still in the tournament and even if you don’t get so see one of their matches, there is a possibility that you can see them on one of the practice courts. Toronto and Montreal are very good for posting who is practicing where and when.
What happens if it rains, will I get refunded?
If you wake up in the morning and it is raining, I would still gather up my umbrella and rain suit then head up to the courts.
If you read the back of your ticket or the “terms of sale”, you will find that there is no refund if any match is completed during the session for which you have paid. So as an example, you’ve bought a ticket for a day session. It’s drizzling a bit. The tournament management will do everything possible to complete a match on any court during the daytime session as determined by their policy. Hence no refunds will be made.
But if by some reason it rains all day and there is no way they can get on court, you will be offered a ticket for the same session the following year. In twenty plus years of attending this has happened to me once.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Short answer no. You will be searched upon entry. If you are discretely bringing in some small food stuffs, they might let you go. But I wouldn’t try bringing in a picnic lunch.
My final statement is you might be better off heading off site to get food. There are some restaurants down the street at the university’s main campus. But make sure you review with gate staff the re-entry policy. You will probably need a hand stamp or the like.
And to be honest, the food quality varies from year to year as vendors come and go.
Conclusion
Final last words on the tournament, if you have a family, the first Saturday before the tournament is qualifying. It is also Family Day where families get in free. You can see some up-and-coming players or some players on the down swing.
But pack your patience, especially if you are a tennis aficionado, these days will have people not versed on tennis etiquette!
That said, I love the Toronto and Montreal tournaments. They are great to attend by yourself or with family and friends or even a group from your club. Check them out and then visit the city!
Please note: The opinions expressed in this document should never be construed as advice. The thoughts are based on my experiences after 40-plus years of business and vacation travel. My likes and dislikes may vary drastically from yours. Do your research and find products and experiences that align with your likes and dislikes. Most of all have happy travels and see you out there on the road!
Al of Al Murray Travel & Photography: From the time in my youth, when I would lay on our garage roof watching planes traverse the skies above me, I knew I wanted to see the world.
My passion grew after spending a semester of my university days in Barcelona. I spent more time on trains and buses than I did in class.
After earning my BA from Carleton University, life got in the way. But I did find time to graduate again from George Brown in Fitness and Lifestyle Management and then work my way through most of a degree in Sports Administration. However I needed to find work and pay for all this education!
It wasn’t until my “middle age” did I start exploring the world again. First, transversing the US and Canada to take part in tennis tournaments. Then later to complete my spectator “grand slam” of tennis.
I accomplished this while earning my certificate in photography from Toronto Metropolitan University. I am now combining the two passions and now sharing with you my many lessons learned.