Scotiabank Arena Game Day Guide
Toronto Raptors · Toronto, ON
Know Before You Go
- Bag policy
Only small purses, clutches, and fanny packs smaller than 6.5 x 4.5 inches are permitted.
A medically or otherwise necessary larger bag may be admitted after X-ray inspection at Gates 1, 3, or 5.
- Bag storage
A limited, first-come bag check in the Galleria across from Gate 1 accepts noncompliant small bags for $25.
Capacity is limited, so the arena strongly recommends bringing only a permitted bag.
- Gate opening
General gates open one hour before tipoff for Raptors games.
The Premium Entrance opens two hours before tipoff for suite and restaurant access.
- Mobile tickets
Raptors tickets are delivered digitally and can be accessed in the Raptors app, Ticketmaster, or an Apple or Android wallet.
Print-at-home PDFs, ordinary paper printouts, and screenshots are not valid for entry; an official physical ticket issued by MLSE or Ticketmaster remains valid.
- Re-entry
No re-entry is permitted after a guest exits the arena gates.
- Prohibited items
The arena prohibits bottles and cans, coolers, poles and sticks, aerosols, weapons and pocket knives, fireworks, wheeled recreational devices, outside alcohol or food, illegal drugs, selfie sticks, large umbrellas, noisemakers, balloons, luggage, and noncompliant bags.
For Raptors games, flashes and detachable camera lenses are prohibited, as are GoPros and selfie sticks. Review the event page because restrictions can change.
- First aid
Paramedics are stationed outside Sections 105A, 116A, 309A, and 319A.
First aid kits are also at Fan Services at Gate 1 and outside Section 301 and at all fixed concession stands.
- Nursing and lactation
The Infant Feeding Room is on the 100 Level Concourse by Gate 1.
For help with the room, visit the Level 100 Fan Services desk near Section 120.
- Family restrooms
Universal accessible washrooms are near Sections 103/104 and 114/115 on Level 100 and Sections 310/311 and 317/318 on Level 300.
Men's and women's washrooms also have baby-changing tables.
- Tickets for children
Children 24 months and younger may enter without a ticket if they sit on an accompanying adult's lap; older children need a ticketed seat.
The policy can vary for individual events.
- Guest services
Fan Services desks are on Level 100 at Gate 1 and Level 300 outside Section 301.
During events, text your inquiry and seat location to 647-694-0454; during business hours call 416-815-5982.
- Service animals
Individually task-trained service animals may accompany fans in public areas, and the arena requires the fan and animal to use accessible seating.
The venue may request documentation identifying the animal as a service animal.
- Smoking and vaping
Smoking and electronic-cigarette use are prohibited throughout the arena, restaurants, suites, and lounges.
Leaving to smoke does not permit re-entry, and smoking inside can result in immediate ejection.
Game Day Timeline
What the day looks like at Scotiabank Arena, hour by hour.
Arrive in the Entertainment District
Take the TTC to Union Station or walk via the PATH. Explore the bars and restaurants along King Street West or Bremner Boulevard.
Pregame drinks
Real Sports Bar & Grill (attached to the arena), Loose Moose, or Jack Astor's are popular pregame spots. Expect big crowds.
Doors open
Enter Scotiabank Arena and watch warm-ups. Check out the championship banner and the Raptors team store.
Find your seat
The arena fills fast, Raptors games regularly sell out. Settle in and enjoy the pregame show.
Game time
Toronto crowds are electric. The 'We The North' chants shake the building. Games run about 2-2.5 hours.
Halftime break
Hit the concourse for poutine and Canadian beers. Upper level has shorter lines.
Post-game scene
Maple Leaf Square stays packed after big wins. The King Street West bars keep the party going late.
Tips & Fan Reports
Take the TTC to Union Station. It's a 5-minute walk to the arena, or use the underground PATH in winter.
PATH underground walkway connects directly from Financial District hotels. You never need to go outside in winter.
Maple Leaf Square (Jurassic Park) outside the arena has a huge screen for overflow viewing during big games.
Bring Canadian currency or use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
Jurassic Park (Maple Leaf Square) is an experience even without tickets, fans gather to watch on the giant screen.
Prices at Scotiabank Arena are in Canadian dollars - your USD goes about 30% further.
Park under Maple Leaf Square if the weather is bad. It connects indoors to the retail concourse and the arena without going outside.
The gate printed on your ticket is a suggestion, not a requirement: the arena tells you to join the shortest line at any gate.
Coming off the Gardiner from the west, the Spadina exit and a left onto Bay Street is the route the arena itself gives.
The bag limit is 16.5 by 11.5 centimetres, and anything larger costs C$25 to check in the galleria opposite Gate 1.
Before the Game
Scotiabank Arena sits on the northwest corner of Lakeshore Boulevard West and Bay Street, in the densest part of downtown Toronto, and the pregame here is the city rather than a lot. The parking answer is Maple Leaf Square's underground garage, open 24 hours with indoor access through the retail concourse and directly into the arena: entrances off York Street and Bremner Boulevard. The rule to check before leaving home is the bag policy: nothing larger than 16.5 by 11.5 centimetres gets in, MLSE would rather you brought nothing at all, and anything oversized costs C$25 to check in the galleria across from Gate 1.
Where to Go Before the Game
Maple Leaf Square underground parking
The public garage beneath Maple Leaf Square, open 24/7 with indoor access to the retail concourse and straight into the arena. Entrances are off York Street and Bremner Boulevard.
Known for Indoor access to the arena · Open 24/7 · York St and Bremner Blvd entrances
Lakeshore Boulevard West at Bay Street
The arena sits on the northwest corner of the two, which is the landmark every driving route ends at: off the Gardiner at Spadina from the west, or down Lake Shore Blvd East from the Don Valley Parkway from the north.
Known for Northwest corner · Gardiner and DVP approaches
The galleria bag check, across from Gate 1
In the galleria across from Gate 1, where anything over the size limit goes at C$25. The arena admits only small purses, clutches or fanny packs under 16.5cm x 11.5cm, and MLSE’s stated preference is that you bring no bag at all.
Known for C$25 per bag · Across from Gate 1 · Over 16.5 x 11.5cm
Pregame Rules
What Scotiabank Arena allows before the game, and what it does not.
- Scotiabank Arena is on the northwest corner of Lakeshore Blvd. West and Bay St. in downtown Toronto.
- Underground public parking is available at Maple Leaf Square, open 24/7, with indoor access to retail and to the arena. Entrances are off York Street and Bremner Blvd.
- Only small purses, clutches or fanny-pack type bags smaller than 16.5cm x 11.5cm (6.5" x 4.5") are permitted, and MLSE strongly encourages fans to bring no bag at all.
- Bag check is available for C$25 for items that do not meet the size requirement, located in the galleria across from Gate 1.
- The preferred entry gate is listed on your ticket, but fans may enter through the shortest line at any gate.
- SpotHero is recommended for booking surrounding lots in advance, at rates below the drive-up price.
Weather
Scotiabank Arena is indoor, so these are the conditions for the parking lot and the walk in, not the seats.
Across the NBA season the warmest month is October, with an average high of 62°F, and the coldest is January, when the average low is 19°F. April is the wettest month at 4.1 inches and January the driest at 2.4 inches.
That January low ranks 3rd coldest of the 30 NBA venues, and April here ranks 14th wettest.
October
2.9 inchesDecember
2.7 inchesJanuary
2.4 inchesMarch
2.7 inchesApril
4.1 inchesWhat to Bring
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited except for allergy or medical needs confirmed with Fan Services.
- A card or a phone wallet
Scotiabank Arena is fully cash-free and accepts debit cards, credit cards, and major contactless payment methods.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 19°F between the lot and the door at Scotiabank Arena.
- A poncho for the walk in, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on Scotiabank Arena's prohibited list, and April averages 4.1 inches of rain.
How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Game day timeline
Gate opening time checked against the venue's own gate-opening policy: General gates open one hour before tipoff for Raptors games.
- Pregame
Scotiabank Arena official site: Getting Here, Plan Your Visit FAQ, and Bag Policy
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
- Venue policies
Current Scotiabank Arena FAQ, bag-policy, customer-service, arrival, and mobile-ticket pages reviewed for Toronto Raptors game-day policies.