Crowned Major League Soccer champions in 2017, Toronto FC are based at Canada’s national soccer stadium, BMO Field, and are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
A world leading organisation in sports technology, GIS students will learn from MLSE's unique business that runs successful venue and multi-sport franchise operations. Our Canadian summits will also access MLSE's stunning Scotiabank Arena, home of the NBA's Toronto Raptors and the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.
On campus and online students, as well as alumni, are able to attend the Global Sports Summit event at Toronto FC each year. The summit is based around 4-5 days of specially tailored talks, workshops and visits specific to the Canadian sports industry.
The schedule in Toronto, like the summits at each GIS hub, will be based around four themes:
- From the pitch – hear from those who contribute towards the playing side of sport such as coaches, match analysts and sports scientists;
- From industry – find out more from those who’re responsible for what happens behind the scenes, including marketing managers, agents and media officers;
- From the boardroom – learn about how the big decisions are taken at clubs and organisations from the likes of chief executives and chief finance officers;
- Cultural activities – this will include visits to national landmarks, more of Toronto’s leading stadiums and at least one live sports fixture (subject to fixture lists).
Guest speakers for the summit will be confirmed closer to the event, but attendees will be able to hear from the leaders and key personnel at some of Toronto’s leading sports and clubs including the Toronto FC, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Beswicks Sports.
Multiple time zone delivery
From the 2021/22 academic year, our MSc Football Business and MSc International Sport Management online programme will be delivered in three time zones for the Americas, Europe and Africa, and Australasia. Our MSc Football Communications & Digital Marketing (Online) program will also be available for both the Americas and Europe and Africa.
Synchronous, live sessions will be delivered for the GMT/BST, AEST/AEDT and EST/EDT time zones to provide the greatest studying flexibility. To further enhance the learning experience around the world, there will be various touchpoints throughout the year for all students, including guest speaker sessions and networking opportunities.
Global Insight Series
The Global Insight Series is an elite on-campus and online networking and thought leadership series. Delivered both online through a variety of digital publications, podcasts, videos and seminars, with lives seminars also held across our various GIS & UCFB campuses and business centres, this key professional development facet of our offering is distributed to the mobile phone and laptop of every member of the GIS & UCFB family, students, alumni and business partners alike.
The Global Insight Series provides unprecedented access and collaboration opportunities between the world’s elite sports network.
Next up...@TorontoFC & @TorontoArgos VP of Business Operations Chris Shewfelt would like to welcome you to Toronto and tell you a little but more about what to expect in the 6️! 🇨🇦 https://t.co/j3FXnw6Vef pic.twitter.com/UrvWeHhMBg
— UCFB (@ucfb) July 17, 2019
When our teams win, we all win together. When Toronto FC wins a championship it sheds a light on all our different properties. When the Raptors go on this unbelievable run and win the NBA Championship, it shines a light on the city and the country as well as on Maple Leaf Sports.
The capital of Canadian sport
Toronto is currently riding a sporting wave after Toronto Raptors recently beat the mighty Golden State Warriors to be crowned NBA champions for the first time in their history. Away from the basketball court though there is a wealth of sporting opportunity and experience to be had. With teams in each of their southern neighbour’s major leagues, save for the NFL, Torontonian’s can experience some of the biggest and best sports leagues in the world.
Explore Toronto
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto has a population of around three million people and was recently announced as the “fastest growing” population in the whole of North America. From the CN Tower to poutine to the mighty Raptors, there's plenty to see and do in this modern city.
Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto has a population of around three million people and was recently announced as the “fastest growing” population in the whole of North America. It’s lakeside location has made it a vital international trading hub and ensured it has become Canada’s financial centre. Toronto regularly celebrates its diverse culture, with around half of its population noted as being members of a “visible minority”. It’s these characteristics which make Toronto one of the most welcoming cities in the world for foreign students.
Toronto’s skyline is one of the most recognisable in the world. Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, it takes visitors’ breath away in height of summer and cold depths of winter. Its most iconic landmark though is the CN Tower; standing at 553m it was the tallest structure in the world until Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was built in 2009. A visit to the top is an absolute must. Visitors are encouraged to also take in The Royal Ontario Museum, home to an abundance of world art and natural history, and one of the biggest museums in North America, as well as take a boat out to Toronto Islands – a chain of 15 small islands which feature a beach, amusements parks and further natural beauty.
Visitors to Toronto will never be short of options if they want to take in some top level sport. Between a championship winning Raptors basketball team to a success hungry Maple Leaf ice hockey side, sport is the beating heart of this Canadian city. With Canada set to host its first FIFA World Cup in 2026, now is a perfect time to get to grips with and understand the inner workings of the Canadian sports industry.
The Distillery District was once a derelict collection of industrial buildings, but can now rival any of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Europe with its collection of shopping and eating options. Coffee, tapas, ice cream, noodles and beer; you may never want to leave. Of course, any trip to Canada isn’t complete without a giant portion of poutine – fries smothered in cheese curd and gravy. For the very best in the city head to Smoke’s Poutinerie or Nom Nom Nom, according to Time Out.
