- 226-348-4177
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- 1315 Lawrence Ave E,unit 406, M3A 3R3, North York, Ontario
The National Bank Open is back in Toronto.
From August 1–13, 2026, the best tennis players in the world will be competing at Sobeys Stadium (formerly Aviva Centre) at York University — and thousands of tennis fans from across Canada and around the world will be descending on the city for two weeks of world-class sport.
But here’s the thing about a two-week tennis tournament: you’re not watching tennis every single hour of every single day. There are gaps between sessions, rest days between matches, afternoons where your favourite player isn’t on court, and evenings where you want to experience the city rather than head straight back to your hotel.
Toronto is one of the best cities in the world to have those gaps. And this guide covers exactly how to fill them — from the best things to do near the tournament venue to the most memorable experiences the city has to offer during National Bank Open week.
Dates: August 1–13, 2026
Venue: Sobeys Stadium, Rexall Centre, York University Campus, 1 Shoreham Drive, North York, Toronto
Format: WTA (Women’s) draws first, followed by ATP (Men’s) — check the official schedule at nationalbankopen.com for exact session times
Getting there: York University subway station (Line 1) is steps from the venue — the easiest way in and out
The National Bank Open — formerly known as the Rogers Cup — is one of the most prestigious tennis events in the world outside the four Grand Slams. It’s a Masters 1000 event on the ATP Tour and a WTA 1000 event, which means the draws include virtually every top-ranked player in the world. Past champions include Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Bianca Andreescu — who famously beat Serena here in 2019 in one of the most iconic moments in Canadian tennis history.
For tennis fans, this is a bucket-list event. For the city of Toronto, it’s two weeks of international visitors looking for things to do in North York and across the GTA.
Most visitors don’t immediately think of North York as a destination — but spending two weeks around the tournament means you’ll quickly discover it’s one of Toronto’s most underrated areas.
North York has excellent transit connections (the York University subway station is one of the newest on the TTC), diverse food options along Yonge Street and throughout the neighbourhood, and some of the city’s best creative experiences — including one that’s become a must-do for visitors looking for something genuinely different.
If you’re spending days around the tournament and want one experience in Toronto you genuinely won’t find anywhere else — ZuoZuo Studio is it.
Located just minutes from Sobeys Stadium in North York, ZuoZuo Studio is Toronto’s #1 hands-on creative workshop space. It’s the experience that tournament visitors consistently describe as the highlight of their Toronto trip — and it makes perfect sense given the location.
Here’s what you can do:
Using a professional tufting gun, you design and create your own custom rug — choosing your colours, your pattern, your size. Want to tuft a tennis ball? Your favourite player’s initials? A design in your home country’s colours? All of it is possible. Sessions run a few hours, no experience needed, and you walk away with a finished rug the same day.
Pick a real clam from the tank, crack it open, discover the pearl inside — then craft it into a custom necklace, bracelet, earrings, or ring with elegant silver accessories. Every pearl is unique. Every piece you make is one of a kind. It’s part workshop, part treasure hunt, and one of the most memorable experiences available anywhere in Toronto.
Choose your colour palette and pour your creativity into a stunning Fluid Bear painting. Meditative, creative, and consistently frame-worthy results — no artistic experience needed.
Why it’s perfect for National Bank Open visitors:
“5 stars. Great owners and so helpful. Very satisfied!” — Google Review
📍 1315 Lawrence Ave E, Unit 406, North York, Toronto
📞 226-348-4177
🌐 zuozuostudio.ca
🕐 Thursday to Sunday | 12pm–8pm
Book ahead — tournament weeks fill up fast.
The area around the tournament venue and North York more broadly has some of Toronto’s most diverse and underrated dining. A few standouts worth knowing:
Gibson House Museum Area (North York Centre) — the stretch around Yonge and Sheppard has dozens of restaurants covering every cuisine imaginable. Korean BBQ, Japanese ramen, Lebanese shawarma, Vietnamese pho — North York’s multicultural dining scene is genuinely excellent.
Yonge and Eglinton — a 20-minute subway ride south of the venue, “Young and Eligible” as locals call it is one of Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. Excellent restaurants, rooftop bars, and the kind of neighbourhood energy that makes a post-match evening genuinely fun.
The Path at North York Centre — underground dining and shopping connected to the North York Centre subway station. Good for a quick lunch between sessions without the heat.
Just east of North York, the Toronto Botanical Garden at Edwards Gardens is one of the city’s hidden gems — 17 themed gardens, peaceful walking paths, and stunning floral displays that are at their absolute peak in August.
It’s a 20-minute drive or cab ride from the tennis venue and a perfect way to spend a quiet morning before an afternoon session. Admission is free.
North York’s direct subway connection to downtown means you can be in the heart of the city within 25–30 minutes of leaving the stadium. A few downtown experiences worth planning around:
The Distillery District — one of Toronto’s most photogenic neighbourhoods, a Victorian industrial complex now home to galleries, boutiques, cafes, and some of the city’s best restaurants. Perfect for an afternoon wander between sessions.
CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium — iconic for a reason. The views from the CN Tower observation deck are genuinely world-class, and Ripley’s Aquarium next door is one of Canada’s best indoor attractions. Good for a few hours between matches.
Kensington Market and Chinatown — two of Toronto’s most colourful and culturally rich neighbourhoods, side by side on the west side of downtown. Street food, vintage shops, independent galleries, and the kind of neighbourhood energy you can only get in Toronto.
Harbourfront and the Toronto Islands — the waterfront is at its best in August. Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands for an afternoon of cycling, beach, and some of the best views of the downtown skyline in the city.
Beyond the on-court action, the tournament itself has a full fan experience worth exploring:
Practice courts — tournament players practice on the public courts every morning before the main draws begin. You can often get very close to the world’s best players during practice sessions — sometimes without tickets. Check the official schedule at nationalbankopen.com.
Fan Village — the area around the main stadium has food vendors, sponsor activations, merchandise stands, and the kind of buzzing atmosphere that makes a tournament visit feel like an event even when you’re not watching matches.
Night sessions — some of the tournament’s best atmospheres come after dark. Night session tickets are often better value than day sessions and the energy in the stadium is different when the lights come on.
If you have a full rest day and want to get out of the city entirely, Niagara Falls is 1.5 hours from downtown Toronto and one of the world’s great natural spectacles. Combine it with a stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake — a beautiful historic small town with world-class wineries, restaurants, and a charming main street — for one of the best day trips from Toronto.
Go early to avoid crowds and be back in the city for an evening session.
The Toronto Blue Jays play their home games at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto — a 30-minute subway ride from the tournament venue. August is peak baseball season and tickets are reasonably priced for most regular-season games.
For sports fans already in the city for the tennis, catching a Blue Jays game is a natural complement — two completely different sporting atmospheres in one Toronto trip.
For visitors working remotely or travelling for business alongside the tournament, Toronto has a strong café culture worth knowing.
Pilot Coffee — multiple locations across the city, consistently excellent coffee, good for working.
Sam James Coffee Bar — smaller, more neighbourhood feel, great espresso.
Dark Horse Espresso — a Toronto institution with multiple locations including downtown.
For longer working sessions, the Toronto Public Library has locations throughout the city with free WiFi and comfortable working environments.
Transit: The TTC is your best friend. The York University subway station is directly at the tournament venue — Line 1 connects you to the entire city. A day pass costs around $13 and covers unlimited TTC rides.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft are widely available across Toronto. Expect surge pricing immediately after popular evening sessions when thousands of fans leave at once — either leave early or wait 20–30 minutes for prices to normalise.
Driving: Don’t drive to the venue during session breaks. Parking is expensive and traffic around York University during tournament days is significant. Park at a subway station and take the TTC.
Tournament week spots fill up fast — especially weekends. If you’re visiting Toronto for the National Bank Open and want to experience something genuinely memorable between sessions, book your ZuoZuo Studio session in advance.
Whether you’re making a custom rug in your home country’s colours, discovering your pearl, or painting a Fluid Bear to take home as a Toronto souvenir — it’s the kind of experience that becomes the story you tell when you get back.
👉 Book at zuozuostudio.ca
📍 1315 Lawrence Ave E, Unit 406, North York, Toronto
📞 226-348-4177
🕐 Thursday to Sunday | 12pm–8pm
Steps from the National Bank Open venue. Easy transit access via York University subway station.
1315 Lawrence Ave E,unit 406, M3A 3R3, North York, Ontario
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