#FOOD: TORONTO’S FESTIVAL OF BEER 2024

Toronto’s Festival of Beer is gearing up for its 28th anniversary with an exciting twist that extends beyond traditional beer celebrations. This year, we’re thrilled to introduce an expanded lineup of experiences that cater to all tastes and preferences.

Beyond the extensive selection of beers from local icons like Great Lakes and Collective Arts, attendees can indulge in an array of alternative beverages, including artisanal ciders, specialty cocktails, and refreshing non-alcoholic options. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or exploring new flavours, there’s something to delight every palate.

Adding to the festival’s vibrancy, its musical journey spans genres from legendary hip hop performances to energetic rock sets, promising an unforgettable soundtrack throughout the weekend. This year’s lineup features Canadian artists Josh Ross and IllScarlett as well as performances from Cypress Hill, Taking Back Sunday, Souls of Mischief, and Ali Walker. Alongside the music, Toronto’s top food vendors will be serving up a delectable array of dishes, from gourmet bites to international street food, ensuring that every aspect of the festival experience is savoured.

Join us as we redefine the festival landscape and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culture and community spirit. This year’s festival promises to be our most spectacular yet, with over 200 beers, exclusive tasting sessions, and engaging workshops.

Details:
When: Fri. July 26 – Sun. July 28
Where: Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place I 100 Prince Edward Island Crescent,
Tickets HERE and start at $95
https://www.beerfestival.ca/

About Toronto’s Festival of Beer:

For nearly three decades, Toronto’s Festival of Beer has been a staple in the Toronto festival scene, bringing together beer enthusiasts, brewers, and newcomers alike. The festival not only showcases the best in beer from local and international brewers but also fosters a sense of community and appreciation for the art of brewing. This year’s festival promises to be our most spectacular yet, with over 200 beers, exclusive tasting sessions, and engaging workshops.

#TIFF: 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OPENING AND CLOSING NIGHT GALAS ANNOUNCED

The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival will kick off with David Gordon Green’s Nutcrackers starring Ben Stiller on September 5, 2024 and close with Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut The Deb on September 15, 2024 both making their World Premiere at Roy Thomson Hall as part of the Gala programme, sponsored by Dyson.

“This year’s Festival is shaping up to be a star-studded event with highly anticipated films that reflect the world around us with humour and empathy, like our Opening and Closing Night selections, Nutcrackers and The Deb,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “TIFF aims to showcase both returning and first-time directors to the Festival on a big stage, and we are excited for fans to experience these two films — and the many diverse works premiering in between.”

David Gordon Green’s Nutcrackers follows strait-laced and work-obsessed Mike (Ben Stiller) as he is suddenly thrust into being a caregiver for his rambunctious, orphaned nephews. Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut, The Deb, is an original musical comedy about two teenage cousins who dig deep to find self-acceptance and a date to the Debutante Ball in a small country town in Australia.

Film details (in alphabetical order):

The Deb | Rebel Wilson | Australia
World Premiere | Gala
Sales Title – Rights Available (WME)

Nutcrackers | David Gordon Green | USA
World Premiere | Gala
Sales Title – Rights Available (UTA Independent Film Group)

More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13.

#FIRSTLOOK: “TROPPO” COMING TO SUPER CHANNEL FUSE

Super Channel is pleased to announce the Canadian premiere of the Australian crime drama Troppo. Season one (8×60) of this gripping murder mystery will debut exclusively on Super Channel Fuse on Sunday, August 4 at 9 p.m. ET, with each episode available to stream On Demand the following day.

See the Trailer here.

Set in the wilds of Far North Queensland, Troppo is the story of disgraced ex-cop Ted Conkaffey (Thomas Jane) who is begrudgingly recruited by Amanda Pharrell (Nicole Chamoun) – an eccentric private investigator with a disturbing criminal past – to investigate what emerges to be the murder of a brilliant tech pioneer. As they battle to uncover the truth amid the tightly held secrets of Crimson Lake, their own traumatic pasts are dragged painfully into the present – tearing them apart, as each of them faces their own fight for sanity and indeed survival.

“With superb performances and a story from best-selling author Candice Fox, we are thrilled to deliver our viewers another great Australian drama with Troppo,” said Kim Ball, Chief Content Officer, Super Channel. “We are confident Canadian audiences will love this captivating mystery, filled with twists and turns.”

Inspired by Candice Fox’s bestselling novel Crimson Lake, Troppo is an EQ Media Group and Beyond Entertainment production in association with Renegade Entertainment, with major production financing from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, AGC Studios in association with Aperture Media Partners, and Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland and with support from the City of Gold Coast. Creator Yolanda Ramke. Producer Lisa Duff. Series Producer Karl Zwicky. Executive Producers: Greg Quail, Lisa Duff, and Simonne Overend (EQ Media Group); Mikael Borglund and David Ogilvy (Beyond Entertainment); Stuart Ford and Lourdes Diaz and co-EP Matt Bankston (AGC Studios); Sally Riley and Andrew Gregory (Australian Broadcasting Corporation); and Thomas Jane and Courtney Lauren Penn (Renegade Entertainment); and Yolanda Ramke. Australian Broadcasting Corporation Deputy Head of Scripted Production: Alex Baldwin. AGC International is handling international distribution.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW REDBAND TRAILER FOR “ANORA”

After taking the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes, we get a new redband trailer for Sean Baker‘s ANORA, coming to theatres this October via Elevation Pictures!

Synopsis:

Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

Starring Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein, Yuri Borisov
Written and directed by Sean Baker

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: “SOMEBODY FEED PHIL” RENEWED FOR AN EIGHTH SEASON

Netflix today announced the renewal of Somebody Feed Phil, from Emmy, James Beard Award, and Critics Choice Award-winner Phil Rosenthal.

The Emmy-nominated series, which is one of Netflix’s longest running unscripted series, premiered its seventh season in March 2024. Season 8 will once again follow Phil on his culinary adventures as he takes in the local cuisine and cultures of cities around the world.

Somebody Feed Phil was nominated for a 2024 Critics Choice Real TV Award; won a 2022 Critics Choice Real TV Award for “Best Travel/Adventure Show”, and Rosenthal received the “Male Star of The Year” award in 2021 from Critics Choice Real TV Awards. The series also garnered a 2022 James Beard Award nomination for “Visual Media—Long Form.”

Somebody Feed Phil is produced by Lucky Bastards and a494, with executive producers including Rosenthal, his brother Rich Rosenthal and John Bedolis on behalf of Lucky Bastards as well as Christopher Collins and Lydia Tenaglia on behalf of a494.

The theme song to Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil will be available on all streaming platforms on October 4th, 2024. The song is by Lake Street Dive.
Title: Somebody Feed Phil (from the Netflix Series)

Artist: Lake Street Dive

Release Date: 10/4/2024

Presave Smartlink: https://netflixmusic.ffm.to/somebodyfeedphil

About Phil Rosenthal: Phil Rosenthal is the creator, executive producer, and host of Somebody Feed Phil, as well as a 2x New York Times Best Selling Author. Rosenthal created a series companion book, “Somebody Feed Phil The Book” and a new children’s book with his daughter, Lily called “Just Try It: A Phil and Lil Book”.

Previously, Rosenthal created the hit CBS comedy, Everybody Loves Raymond which went on to win 16 Emmy Awards. He was the Showrunner/Executive Producer for all nine years of the show’s very successful run, which ended in 2005. Rosenthal’s first travel food series, I’ll Have What Phil’s Having, premiered on PBS in fall 2015 and received two Taste Awards as well as the winner of the 2016 James Beard Award for Best Television Program, on Location.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT”

Today, Disney+ released the trailer and art for “The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat”. The film, based on the best-selling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore premieres August 23, 2024 only on Disney+ in Canada.

The movie follows lifelong best friends Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan), and Clarice (Uzo Aduba) known as “The Supremes”, who share the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood from decades of weathering life’s storms. Through the joys and sorrows of life, marriage and children, happiness and blues, love and loss, new shades of heartbreak and illness threaten to stir up the past when the trio sees their bond put to the test as they face their most challenging times yet.

Searchlight Pictures presents “The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat”, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”, “The Color Purple”), Sanaa Lathan (“Love & Basketball”, “The Best Man”) and Uzo Aduba (“In Treatment,” “Orange is the New Black”). The film is directed by Tina Mabry (“Mississippi Damned”, “Quenn of the South”, “Pose”) from a screenplay co-written by Cee Marcellus and Tina Mabry, adapted from the novel by Edward Kelsey Moore. Rounding out the cast are Mekhi Phifer (“I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”), Julian McMahon (“Nip/Tuck”), Vondie Curtis Hall (“Harriet”, “The Night House”), and Russell Hornsby (“The Hate U Give”, “Mike”). The impressive newcomers include Kyanna Simone (“Ma”, “Fist Fight”), Tati Gabrielle (“You”, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”, “The Last of Us”), Abigail Achiri (“Marisol”, “The Underground Railroad”), Dijon Means (“BMF”), Xavier Mills (“Legacies”), Ryan Paynter (“I Win”) and Cleveland Berto (“Terminator: Dark Fate”, “A Journal for Jordan”). Produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey (“Love, Simon”, “Smile”), and Isaac Klausner (“Smile”, “First Man”) of Temple Hill, the below the line team includes costume designer Whitney Anne Adams (“Freaky”); music supervisor Robin Urdang (“Call Me by Your Name”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), music by Kathryn Bostic (“Clemency”), editor Tariq Anwar (“American Beauty”, “The King’s Speech”), production designer Kara Lindstrom (“Den of Thieves”), director of photography Sean McElwee (“The Incredible Jessica James”); with hair department head Andrea Jackson (“Dreamgirls”) and makeup department head Dionne Wynn (“2 Guns”).

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Junior Mode profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “THE FABULOUS FOUR”

levelFILM x Mr. Will are delighted to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of THE FABULOUS FOUR! You won’t believe this Cast!

Screenings take place as follows:

July 22

TORONTO

Cineplex Cinemas Varsity & VIP

7pm 

July 24 

VANCOUVER 

Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver 

7pm 

EDMONTON

Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton 

7pm

CALGARY 

Scotiabank Theatre Chinook 

7pm 

Synopsis:

If three’s a crowd, four’s a party! THE FABULOUS FOUR is an uproarious comedy about a group of life-long friends (Sarandon, Mullally, and Ralph) who travel to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their best college girlfriend Marilyn (Midler). Over the course of one outrageous trip, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past resurfaces, and there are enough sparks, raunch, and romance to change all their lives in unexpected ways.

Directed by Jocelyn Moorehouse, the film also stars Bruce Greenwood and Timothy V. Murphy.

THE FABULOUS FOUR will be released in Canadian theatres on July 26 via levelFILM.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments, tell us your City! Tag a friend in the comments you’d like to bring along with you!

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: levelFILM)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF “STRANGER THINGS” SEASON FIVE

Take it all in nerds…

Get a look behind the scenes of the making of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things as they hit the halfway mark of filming and welcome Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly and Alex Breaux to the cast.

ABOUT THE SERIES

A love letter to the ‘80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world — forever.

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things debuted in July 2016 and quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular television series ever with its fourth season alone amassing over 140.7 Million views globally. Rooted in 80’s nostalgia, it has sparked a resurgence of pop culture items from the decade with every new season, including Eggo waffles and New Coke. Most recently, the series breathed new life into Kate Bush’s track “Running Up That Hill” with the song soaring in streams on Spotify and entering the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time in its 38-year history. The series has also garnered over 70 awards worldwide including Emmys and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, and has been nominated for over 230 awards. Stranger Things fans everywhere celebrate November 6 – the day Will Byers went missing – as ‘Stranger Things Day,’ a special day to share their love for the world of Stranger Things.

Season 5 was announced as the final season of Stranger Things with additional projects in the universe in the works, including: Stranger Things: The First Shadow live on stage in London’s West End along with an untitled animated spinoff series.

#FIRSTLOOK: CBC ANNOUNCE OLYMPIC GAMES PARIS 2024 TALENT

CBC today announced the complete roster of commentators, analysts and reporters who will provide extensive live coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11, across CBC and partner networks TSN and Sportsnet, CBC Gem, CBC’s Paris 2024 website (cbc.ca/paris2024) and the CBC Paris 2024 app.  

The talent lineup includes Olympians, Paralympians, World Champions, experienced broadcasters and fresh faces, all set to bring audiences across Canada informed, entertaining and well-rounded coverage of the Games on Canada’s Olympic Network.

Approximately one third of the broadcast team will be on the ground in Paris, including 16 reporters who will be bringing audiences live updates and reactions from athletes as they step off the field, court and deck, and the broadcast teams for swimming, athletics and basketball. Plus, CBC/Radio-Canada will provide Indigenous language coverage for 3×3 basketball, canoe/kayak, skateboarding and wrestling in Cree, Innu and Atikamekw, as well as basketball in Inuktitut. 

Also joining CBC’s programming lineup is Olympic FOMO, a new daily show launching Saturday July 27, hosted by longtime radio duo and media besties Mark Strong and Jemeni. They’ll be providing a fresh perspective to the Olympic conversation as they chat with athletes, entertainers and celebs to get their take on the Games, bringing audiences all the tea from Paris. OLYMPIC FOMO will be available across all platforms including CBC and CBC Gem, and daily as a podcast everywhere podcasts are available.   

Highlights include:   

From the pool for swimming: 2024 Canadian Screen Award-winning broadcaster and Paralympian Rob Snoek and former Olympic swim coach and national team member Byron MacDonald. Olympic bronze medallist Brittany MacLean joins as special analyst. 

From the track for athletics: Olympians Michael Smith and David Moorcroft providing colour commentary, with award-winning broadcaster Mark Lee on the call. Special analysts include: Two-time Olympic champion Donovan Bailey alongside award-winning broadcaster Ron MacLean; Olympian and world champion Perdita Felicien alongside sports reporter Morgan Campbell; and Olympian Kate Van Buskirk.  

From the basketball court: veteran broadcaster Dan Shulman with the play-by-play, NBA commentator Meghan McPeak providing analysis and Nabil Karim reporting from the sidelines. 

From the 3×3 basketball court: CEBL champion and Tom Longboat Award recipient Michael Linklater and sportscaster Daniella Ponticelli. 

Calling the highly anticipated debut of the sport of breaking are Mark Strong aka “Strizzzy” and Toronto B-Boy and hip hop artist, Adrian Bernard aka “Switch B.” 

Dual season Olympian and Olympic medallist Phylicia George will be on the  ground in Paris talking to athletes and reporting from Canada Olympic House, while veteran commentators Donnovan Bennett and Shireen Ahmed will offer different perspectives on the events of Paris 2024, broadening the context for the Games.

STUDIO HOSTS
RBC Olympic Games Morning
Anastasia Bucsis (in Paris)
Rob Pizzo (update desk)

Bell Paris Prime

Scott Russell (in Paris)

Julie Stewart-Binks (update desk)

Toyota Olympic Games Primetime Panel

Andi Petrillo

Waneek Horn-Miller

Perdita Felicien

Craig McMorris

Olympic FOMO Mark Strong  Jemeni

REPORTERS ON THE GROUND IN PARIS

Alexandre Gascon (Volleyball)

Alison Chiasson (Equestrian, Golf)

Antoine Deshaies (Tennis, Weightlifting)

Antoni Nerestant (Diving, Artistic Swimming)

Asha Tomlinson (Boxing, Sport Climbing)

Catherine Gauthier (Gymnastics, Trampoline)

Christine Roger (Soccer)  

Devin Heroux (Athletics, Swimming) 

Kelly VanderBeek (3×3 Basketball, Breaking, Skateboarding)

Kwabena Oduro (Rowing, Canoe/Kayak)

Michael Roy (Cycling)

Nabil Karim (Basketball)

Olivier Pellerin (Judo/Wrestling)       

Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco (Beach Volleyball)        

Roseline Filion (Swimming, Diving)
Vanna Blacksmith (Canada Olympic House)

SPECIAL ANALYSTS 

Donovan Bailey (Athletics)

Kate Van Buskirk (Athletics)

Morgan Campbell  (Athletics) 

Perdita Felicien (Athletics)  

Ron MacLean (Athletics)

Phylicia George (Canada Olympic House)

Natasha Wodak (Marathon)

Donnovan Bennett (Opinion)

Shireen Ahmed (Opinion, Soccer)
Amy Walsh (Soccer)

Brittany MacLean (Swimming)

COMMENTATORS & ANALYSTS Athletics Commentator: Mark Lee Analysts: Michael Smith  & David Moorcroft

Atikamekw Commentary (3×3, Canoe/Kayak, Skateboarding – Park, Wrestling) Thérèse Ottawa, Anthony Dubé and Alexandre Nequado

Basketball

Commentator: Dan Shulman

Analyst: Meghan McPeak

Basketball – Inuktitut Commentator: David Ningeongan  Analyst: Pujjuut Kusugak

Basketball (3×3)
Commentator: Daniella Ponticelli

Analyst: Michael Linklater

Beach Volleyball
Commentator: Claire Hanna

Analyst: Mark Heese

Breaking

Commentator: Mark Strong 

Analyst: Adrian Bernard

Canoe/Kayak – Sprint

Commentator: Elliotte Friedman

Analyst: Andrea Proske

Cree Commentary

(3×3, Skateboarding – Park)

Cheryl Wapachee and Marjorie Kitty 

Cree Commentary (Canoe/Kayak, Wrestling) Celina Wapachee and Dorothy Stewart

Cycling – Road Commentator: Mark Connolly Analysts: Curt Harnett & Barrie Shepley 

Cycling – Track

Commentator: Mark Connolly

Analyst: Curt Harnett

Diving

Commentator: Alexandre Despatie

Analyst: Jennifer Abel

Gymnastics 

Commentator: Brenda Irving

Analyst: Kyle Shewfelt

Innu Commentary (3×3, Canoe/Kayak, Skateboarding – Park, Wrestling)

Joyce Dominique and Gervais Malleck

Judo

Analyst: Josh Hagen

Marathons

Commentator: Brenda Irving

Analyst: Krista DuChene

Race Walks

Commentator: Matt Cullen

Analyst: Lisa Bentley

Rowing

Commentator: Elliotte Friedman

Analyst: Andrea Proske

Skateboarding – Street

Commentator: Alexandre Despatie

Analyst: Craig McMorris

Skateboarding – Park Commentator: Rob Pizzo Analyst: Craig McMorris

Soccer (Women’s)

Commentator: Signa Butler

Analyst: Dr. Clare Rustad

Swimming

Commentator: Rob Snoek

Analyst: Byron MacDonald

Tennis

Commentator: Bruce Rainnie

Analyst: Sharon Fichman

Triathlon

Commentator: Matt Cullen
Analyst: Lisa Bentley & Barrie Shepley

Volleyball
Commentators: Signa Butler & Matt Cullen

Analyst: Dallas Soonias

Water Polo

Commentator: Matt Cullen

Analyst: Waneek Horn-Miller

Wrestling

Commentator: Matt Cullen

Analyst: Carol Huynh

CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada’s Olympic Network through 2032 and Paralympic network through 2026, is the exclusive Canadian broadcast and streaming home of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, taking place from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11. CBC’s comprehensive coverage of Paris 2024 will feature live broadcasts from every venue and include every Canadian medal-winning moment, with 22 hours of live television coverage each day and totalling more than 3000 hours of live content available on CBC and partner networks TSN and Sportsnet, CBC Gem, CBC’s Paris 2024 website (cbc.ca/paris2024) and the CBC Paris 2024 app for Android and iOS devices. Audiences can also visit the website and app for full event schedules, results, athlete bios and features, daily updates and more, as well as exclusive coverage by CBC Sports including in-depth reports, highlights, digital series and on-demand replays of the biggest moments and events, ensuring Canadians don’t miss a minute of the action. 

A LOOK AT TORONTO’S INVESTMENT IN ESPORTS

In recent years, the video game industry has gradually evolved into various categories. One of the most prominent markets in the industry today is esports. In Canada, the esports market is expected to reach a projected revenue of $138.9 million (CA$189.35 million) in 2024, with market researchers predicting an annual growth rate of 6.37% to reach $177.8 million (CA$242.4 million) by 2028. The biggest esports segment today is the esports betting market, which works similarly to traditional sports betting. The rapid growth of esports in Canada is attributed to various factors, including increasing investments in infrastructure and a rising number of professional teams.

With ongoing digitalisation, increased smartphone usage, and a rising awareness of gaming, experts expect continuous growth in Canada’s esports market in the future. A key contributing factor to Canada’s increased investments in the esports industry is Toronto, where gaming and esports culture seem to thrive. In this post, we’ll take a look at key esports developments and investments in Toronto over the past few years and where we may be headed in the future:

Toronto’s own esports arena

One of the most prominent investments in esports in Toronto is the esports arena planned for 2025. Announced in February 2021 by OverActive Media Group, the esports and concert venue is set to be built in downtown Toronto. While details remain sparse, the esports arena is set to be connected to a 400-room hotel and will house 7,000 seats. The planned esports arena is regarded as a good business project for esports and other forms of performance entertainment. In addition to esports, representatives from OverActive stated a demand for a midsize arena in Toronto with 5,000 to 7,000 seats for concerts as an alternative to Scotiabank Arena, a facility used for NBA and NHL games.

While progress in the project has slowed down since its announcement in 2021, establishing the infrastructure would be a huge step forward in affirming Toronto’s place in the global esports industry. A dedicated esports venue would bring in lots of esports teams and players from around the world across various titles, as well as fans, enthusiasts and supporters.

Many esports supporters are also avid bettors, treating the venture like they would traditional sports betting. Like with football or basketball, fans can partake in esports betting predictions as an added layer to the esports viewing experience. Esports betting also adds stakes and engagement to the form of entertainment. While fans attend and watch esports tournaments to support players and teams, they also watch and listen to the games and commentaries from casters as a way to learn and get better at the game as well.

Investments in esports teams

OverActive Media Group, responsible for the esports arena project mentioned above, is also committed to constant investments in furthering esports culture in Toronto and Canada. The current owners of Toronto Ultra recently announced that they would acquire esports organisations KOI and Movistar Riders in an attempt to expand the company’s reach into the EMEA region. Regarded as a step forward to creating a global esports powerhouse, the acquisition would include all KOI esports assets and brands, including social media and intellectual property.

OverActive would also operate the slot in the Valorant Champions Tour EMEA League previously operated by KOI. The company would also enter into service agreements with former professional footballer and entrepreneur Gerard Piqué as part of the acquisition. Adam Adamou, CEO of OverActive stated that the move would solidify the company’s position in Spain, EMEA, and Latin America.

Meanwhile, OverActive’s Toronto Ultra recently enjoyed a dominant victory at the first Call of Duty League Major in January. Going head to head with Atlanta FaZe in the grand final, Ultra ended up with a convincing 4-1 victory, seeing the team lift the Boston Breach Major 1 trophy with player CleanX claiming MVP thanks to his clutch plays and multikills.

Cultivating Toronto’s gaming culture

Finally, aside from continuous investments in esports projects and ventures, Toronto also shines as a hub for gaming nerds and enthusiasts. In a previous post, we highlighted some of the notable attractions at the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition. This included new tournaments at the Gaming Garage, sponsored by Intel, which introduced more free games and larger prize pools for titles such as Street Fighter 6, Valorant, and League of Legends. This marked the 4th Annual Gaming Garage and showcased VR experiences, a video game dance floor, pinball tournaments, and, of course, competitive esports tournaments with up to $8,500 in prizes.

Even outside of esports, the city is home to various gaming hubs. Arcade bars have become a trend throughout the city since 2018. Co-owner of arcade bar Greta described this shift as people looking for new experiences in bars, like something to do rather than just drink. Greta is one of many trending arcade bars in the city today. It is a two-storey space decorated like a futuristic saloon and equipped with a dance floor and a collection of arcade and pinball machines. While Greta’s retro approach remains popular, other gamers may also enjoy arcade bars like Levelup Reality, which specialises in VR games, or Power Up Game Bar, which hosts a collection of classic and modern console games for guests to enjoy.