Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati
When are the Pan Am Games?
The 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games July 10-26 and the Parapan Am Games August 7-15 are fast approaching. Canada last hosted them in 1999 and earlier in 1967, both times in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This year, nearly 7000 athletes from across North America, South America, Latin America, and the Caribbean will compete in 36 Pan Am sports and 15 Parapan Am sports at venues spread out across Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara, Haliburton and Simcoe, York and Durham, and Peel and Halton. The Games are set to bring over 10,000 athletes and officials, and 250,000 visitors to the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. Are you visiting? Here’s our guide to sports and celebration centres in downtown Toronto, Hamilton, and Niagara during the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
TORONTO 2015 PAN AM GAMES
Toronto is home to the opening ceremony on July 10 in the Rogers Centre, renamed to the Pan Am Ceremonies Venue for the duration of the Games, where the Pan Am Games Torch Relay will make its final stop.
Toronto is also home to the cluster of five venues in CIBC Pan Am Park, which will host 16 sports along Lake Ontario. Venues include Exhibition Centre, Toronto Coliseum, Ontario Place West Channel, Exhibition Stadium and the Chevrolet Beach Volleyball Centre. Here you’ll experience a street party filled with food, music, games, and fun for the whole family.
Get around Toronto with public transportation and the easy-to-use Presto Card. For travellers trekking between Pearson airport and Union Station, the new UP Express train is an efficient transportation method.
CIBC Pan Am Park Sports
- Exhibition Stadium: Rugby
- Exhibition Centre: Indoor Volleyball, Roller Sports-Figure Skating, Handball, Squash, Racquetball
- Ontario Place West Channel: Athletics, Cycling-Road, Open Water Swimming, Waterski/Wakeboard, Triathlon
- Toronto Coliseum: Gymnastics – Artistic and Rhythmic, Trampoline
- Chevrolet Beach Volleyball Centre: Beach Volleyball
Our Other Picks in Downtown Toronto
- Canadian Tennis Centre (York University Campus): Tennis
- CIBC Pan Am/ Parapan Am Athletics Stadium: Athletics
- Pan Am/ Parapan Am Fields (University of Toronto): Field Hockey, Football
- Varsity Stadium (University of Toronto): Archery
- Pan Am Bowling Centre (Planet Bowl): Bowling
- Sugar Beach: Sailing
- Ryerson Athletic Centre: Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball
What to Do
Celebrate the games in Toronto’s many multi-faceted neighbourhoods. PANAMANIA is a 35-day festival featuring over 250 shows and exhibitions around the city. Enjoy over 130 performances over the duration of the Games at Nathan Phillips Square, nightly fireworks and victory celebrations honoring medal winners, huge screens with live coverage, and a live special broadcasting of the opening ceremony. At The Distillery District, explore the cobblestone lanes and enjoy a series of events at The Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
PAN AM GAMES IN HAMILTON
Pan Am Games Soccer
The new Tim Horton’s Field where Ivor Wynne Stadium formerly stood has been renamed for the Games to CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium. Men (U-22) and women will compete in this Hamilton-only sport, which is considered one of the world’s most popular. Visit the stadium via public transit, free with your event ticket. The four designated transit stops include West Harbour Go Station, Hamilton Go Centre, Gage Avenue North (at Barton Street East) and King Street (at Balsam Avenue). Don’t miss the local buzz for Pan Am Soccer in Hamilton.
What to Do
Hamilton Kicks It Up! is a celebration of the cultures of the Americas:
Gage Park: From July 9-12, programming consists of large viewing screens, foods of the world, marquee performers, and more. The VIVA Junior Pan Am Soccer Tournament is accepting teams of 5-13 year olds for friendly games.
Gore Park: Visit Gore Park from July 10-24 for entertainment on the main stage, dance, spoken word and theatrical presentations, food trucks and specialty vendors, open street soccer, and large viewing screens. The “Pan Am Art Explosion” will display soccer ball sculptures and other public art by local artists.
Hamilton World Music Festival: Don’t miss out on this free event July 17-19 in Gage Park, featuring local artists, world musicians, and multicultural foods.
Hamilton Waterfront: On July 25-26, Hamilton’s beautiful waterfront will showcase musicians and dance groups, art displays, food trucks, craft vendors, large viewing screens, and a colourful fireworks show.
PAN AM GAMES IN NIAGARA
Approximately a 90-minute drive from Toronto, the Niagara Falls area is hosting the rowing, canoeing, and kayaking competitions. At St. Catherines’ Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course, 13 men’s and women’s rowing competitions will take place. At Welland’s Pan Am Flatwater Centre, you can watch the canoe/kayak sprints. Book a Niagara Falls hotel and enjoy the 2015 Pan Am Games in style.
What to Do
During your visit, experience the scenic landscape of Niagara on the Lake and arrange a wine tour day trip in one of Canada’s wine capitals. You may also want to visit the luxurious White Oaks Spa or the large, open-air Outlet Collection at Niagara. Or, experience the heart of Niagara Falls’ popular Clifton Hill area, especially if you’re visiting with family.
Check out the map of Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games venues.
