Toronto is back in its sports era.
The NHL season has officially arrived, with the Toronto Maple Leafs opening their 2026–27 campaign at Scotiabank Arena on September 29. Basketball is right behind them, with the Toronto Raptors beginning their regular season at home on October 21.
Whether you’re coming into the city for a big game, planning a downtown staycation or simply looking for an excuse to make a night of it, Union Hotel puts you right where you want to be.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Union Hotel is just around the corner from Scotiabank Arena — home of both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. That means you can skip the complicated game-night logistics and make the most of your time in the city. Check in, drop your bags, grab a drink and head toward the arena without having to worry about a long commute home after the final buzzer.
And when the game is over? Your room is waiting.
For visitors coming into Toronto specifically for a Leafs or Raptors game, the location is especially convenient. Union Station is nearby, making it easy to arrive by GO Train, VIA Rail or UP Express, while the surrounding downtown neighbourhoods put plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and attractions within easy reach.
Every good game night needs a pre-game ritual.
Conveniently located right at Union Hotel, Humble Donkey is your spot for a coffee before heading out to explore Toronto or a drink before puck drop or tip-off.
The café-by-day, lounge-bar-by-night is an easy place to ease into the evening. Grab your morning coffee before heading out into the city, meet up with friends for a casual bite, or settle in for a pre-game drink before making your way over to Scotiabank Arena.
No complicated plans. No rushing across the city. Just good food, drinks and a little anticipation before the main event.
For hockey fans, there’s nothing quite like being in Toronto when the Leafs are playing at home.
The 2026–27 season opened with Toronto hosting the Montreal Canadiens on September 29, followed by another home game against the New York Islanders on September 30. The Leafs’ October home schedule continues with games against teams including the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers.
Whether you’re cheering from inside the arena or soaking up the atmosphere around Maple Leaf Square, staying at Union Hotel means you’re right in the middle of it.
Once the basketball energy picks up, the same downtown location puts you in prime position for Raptors game nights.
The Raptors’ 2026–27 regular season home opener is scheduled for October 21 against the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena, with additional home games throughout the fall and winter.
And if you’re not holding a ticket? You can still get into the spirit. Head toward Maple Leaf Square, meet up with fellow fans and enjoy the buzz that takes over the area on game nights.
Of course, Toronto is about more than what happens inside the arena.
One of the best things about making Union Hotel your game-night base is that you can turn a few hours of sports into a full downtown getaway. Spend the afternoon exploring the waterfront, wandering through the Entertainment District or grabbing dinner downtown before heading to the arena.
For visitors, it’s a chance to experience more of Toronto than just the inside of an arena. For locals, it’s an easy excuse to turn a game into a proper staycation.
Stay at Union Hotel. Grab a drink at Humble Donkey. Walk to the arena. Cheer for the home team. Explore downtown. Sleep in. It’s game night, made easy.
