Tailgates parties return to downtown Toronto as Leafs, Raptors gear up for playoffs

It’s a good time to be a sports fan in Toronto.

The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up for their home opener at a revamped Rogers Centre on Tuesday, and now plans are finalized for outdoor viewing parties during the Raptors and Maple Leafs respective playoff runs.

Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) confirms fans will be able to gather outside Scotiabank Arena to rally and support either team during home and away postseason games.

The outdoor viewing parties will include special guests, giveaways, live music, and more. The gates to Maple Leaf Square at York Street and Bremner Blvd. will open two hours before the start of each game and close at the end of the second intermission for Leafs games, and at the end of the third quarter for Raptors games.

“Fans will be required to register for a free mobile pass to be granted access,” says MLSE. “New this year, mobile passes will be distributed and managed only on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors mobile apps.”

MLSE says the passes will be made available the day before each game. Each fan will have access to a maximum of four passes, but residents can get early access by signing up to the team’s mobile apps.

Raptors postseason starts this week, Leafs next week

The Raptors will play their first play-in game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. If the Raptors win on Wednesday they’ll have another play-in game on the road on Friday.

“Raptors tailgates presented by Tangerine are also returning as fans are invited to rally in support of the team, home and away, during the NBA Play-In Tournament from April 11 to 14 as the team looks to secure a spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs,” reads a release by MLSE.

If they win the second game, they’ll make it to the playoffs and take on the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The seven-game playoff series against the Bucks would begin in Milwaukee on Sunday.

The Leafs conclude their regular season on Thursday and will start their quest for the Stanley Cup days later with home-ice advantage in a seven-game series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“After clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh straight season, fans can catch the excitement of Maple Leafs playoff games, both home and away, at tailgates presented by Scotiabank,” MLSE says.

An exact date for the start of the NHL playoffs but the Leafs are expected to begin their playoff run on April 17 or April 18.

Police are warning drivers there will be a number of pre-and post-game road closures in the area, and are encouraging fans to take transit or carpool.

Bremner and York will be the most crucial intersection impacted, as it will only allow local traffic. However, drivers will also face restrictions on Blue Jays Way, Lower Simcoe Street and Rees Street.