A number of Canadian cities will play host to professional sports competitions in the coming months – with golf, football, biking, racing, and more hitting tracks and fields (as well as water) across the country, here are the top 10 Canadian sporting events that are getting some major buzz.
Canadian Tour: Times Colonist Island Savings Open
Victoria, BC
May 29-June 5
This year is the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Professional Golf Tour and the fourth year in a row that the Canadian swing will commence at the historic Uplands Golf Club in Victoria.
Canadian Grand Prix
Montreal, Quebec
June 10-12
One of the rowdiest weekends in Montreal, the Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is always one of this hotspot’s most popular events of the summer.
CFL season kickoff
Across Canada
June 30
CFL will be back in full swing as of June 30th with the 54th season of the league. Vancouver will host the Grey Cup in November.
UCI Mountain Bike: DHI / 4X 4 World Cup
Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec
July 2-3
Check out 4 x 4 World Cup of the International Cycling Union (UCI), which is cycling’s International Federation as recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Canadian Tour: Canadian Tour Players Cup
Winnipeg, Manitoba
July 14-17
Hosted by Jonathan Toews, this is a must-see event for golf fans eager to see some of the best up-and-coming golf talent on the world stage as they compete for their share of its $300,000 purse, as well as a highly sought after PGA TOUR exemption to the RBC Canadian Open (held the week after the event).
RBC Canadian Open
Vancouver, BC
July 21-24
Now in its 107th year, past winners who have claimed the Canadian Open Championship title including Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Greg Norman, Nick Price, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk.
Royal St John’s Regatta
St. John’s, Newfoundland
August 3
This historic regatta, a major focal point of summer activities in this seaside city, is the oldest continuing sporting event in North America, drawing in more than 50,000 spectators each year.
2011 Western Canada Games
Kamloops, BC
August 5-14
During the course of this event 19 sports are divided into two weeks of competition, with more than 2300 athletes taking part in basketball, volleyball, field hockey, rugby, and more.
Rogers Cup
Montreal, Quebec
August 5-14
Since 1881, the best players in the world have showcased their skills on Canadian courts, and this year they’re trying something new – the men will be in Montreal while the women will play in Toronto this summer.
Napa Auto Parts
Montreal, Quebec
August 19-20
Unlike the last two years, the Nationwide Series race will take place on a Saturday rather than Sunday (Michigan will host the Sprint Cup on Sunday, that same weekend, and some drivers will most likely commute between the two events).
Photo Courtesy of: ASSOCIATED PRESS
