Tennis, Sunshine, and Toronto: My Day at the National Bank Open 🎾
- Camilla T
- 7 days ago
- 13 min read
Hi loves, or should I say… 15 love? Okay, maybe my tennis jokes need a little work.
Earlier this August, I had the pleasure of experiencing the National Bank Open presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Toronto hosted the women’s tournament, while Montreal welcomed the men’s competition, bringing some of the world’s most recognized tennis players to Canada.
As a WTA 1000 tournament and one of the major stops on the summer tennis calendar, the National Bank Open offers an exciting opportunity to watch world class tennis while enjoying a full day of entertainment around the grounds. Something I particularly enjoyed was discovering just how much there was to experience beyond the matches themselves. Between the sponsor activations, photo opportunities, dining, entertainment and different areas to explore, the tournament truly felt like an immersive summer experience.
My sister and I attended during Community Day with Centre Court Game Point tickets, which also included access to the Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge. We arrived early enough to spend much of the day exploring Sobeys Stadium before settling in for our Centre Court matches, and by the time we eventually left, the day had unfolded in a few ways I certainly had not anticipated.
Getting Tickets
Tickets for the National Bank Open can be purchased directly through the tournament’s official website, app, or through Ticketmaster. Personally, I found the official National Bank Open app and website the easiest to navigate because it clearly displayed the different sessions, featured players and available ticket experiences.
My sister and I had Centre Court Game Point tickets, which included access to the Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge, a meal at the Marché restaurant and unlimited non alcoholic beverages. In hindsight, the lounge access proved to be completely worthwhile, particularly because the sun was incredibly strong that day. It was lovely being able to return indoors between matches, cool down and relax for a while before heading back outside. Our daytime tickets also allowed us to enjoy the stadium grounds throughout the day, which gave us plenty of time to explore the activations and watch additional matches beyond our scheduled Centre Court sessions.
For anyone hoping to experience the tournament as a full day out, rather than attending solely for a particular match, I would certainly recommend allowing yourself enough time to explore everything happening beyond the main court.
Community Day
We visited during Community Day, which highlighted individuals, coaches and organizations helping to foster the continued development of tennis within communities across Canada. The day also placed an emphasis on expanding access to the sport, particularly within areas where opportunities to experience and participate in tennis may otherwise be limited. It was a meaningful aspect of the tournament and a lovely reminder that behind the internationally recognized players and major matches is a much broader community contributing to the future of the sport.
Arriving at Sobeys Stadium
Walking into Sobeys Stadium immediately set the tone for the day. There was already so much happening around the grounds, yet because we arrived fairly early, everything still felt relaxed enough to explore at our own pace. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with plenty to discover almost immediately after entering.
Here is a little glimpse at some of my favorite highlights from our arrival…
First Impressions and Exploring the Grounds
One of our first stops was the Tennis Playground match boards, where the players competing throughout the tournament were displayed alongside the day’s matchups. It was also one of my favorite photo spots near the entrance.
The grounds themselves were surprisingly easy to navigate, with the different areas feeling organized, considered and thoughtfully arranged.
Something else that stood out almost immediately was how kind and welcoming the volunteers were. Everyone we interacted with was incredibly helpful, which contributed to the warm atmosphere around the stadium. There was a genuine sense of anticipation throughout the grounds, and it seemed as though everyone was looking forward to what the day had in store.
I was particularly glad that we arrived early. The morning and early afternoon provided a wonderful window for exploring because the grounds were not yet overcrowded. We could take our time at the activations and photo spots, and volunteers were readily available whenever we had questions. Everything felt remarkably smooth.
While the evening naturally brought a livelier atmosphere, it also brought larger crowds. For anyone hoping to explore the grounds properly, participate in the activations and capture photos with a little more ease, I would definitely recommend arriving earlier and staying into the evening. Being there for the quieter first few hours and then watching the atmosphere build throughout the day gave us a more complete experience.
Some of My Favorite Photo Spots
The National Bank Open had no shortage of beautiful and playful places to stop for photographs, with several installations positioned throughout the grounds.
National Bank Open Trophy Display, Tournament Tribute, and LEGO Botanicals Installation
Another standout was the National Bank Open WTA trophy display. Alongside the trophy photo opportunity was a space filled with memories from the tournament over the years, including memorable player quotes, notable wins and moments celebrating its history.
There was also an NBO26 installation featuring oversized lettering and a large tennis ball commemorating the tournament. I appreciated that these spaces were not simply decorative. They offered little glimpses into the history and identity of the National Bank Open while still creating interactive spaces for visitors to enjoy. The LEGO Botanicals installation was one of the colorful displays we encountered while exploring and made for a particularly lovely photo opportunity as well.
Sponsor Activations
One thing I particularly loved about the National Bank Open was how interactive the experience was. Sponsor activations were situated throughout the grounds, and we spent a considerable portion of the day moving between them, playing games, sampling food and collecting a few prizes along the way.
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay was giving out sunscreen, which proved to be especially useful during such a sunny daytime session. There was also a giveaway at the activation, making it a worthwhile stop before spending several hours outside.
Sobeys
At the Sobeys activation, we played a tap the lights style game and tried a beanbag toss before sampling some delicious mini pizzas. We also received a Scene+ gift card at the end, making this one of the more extensive activations we visited during the day.
Nintendo
At Nintendo, my sister and I played Mario Tennis Fever, with several other games available to choose from as well. We also left with an adorable frog hat and Nintendo lanyard, which made for a cute souvenir from the experience.
Rogers, Wii Tennis and Getting Onto the Court
Some of my favorite activations were naturally the ones that allowed us to get involved with tennis ourselves. We played with soft tennis balls on a court setup, which was a fun opportunity to be part of the action rather than simply watching it from the stands later in the day. We also tried Wii Tennis, which my sister won. Gaming is very much her forte, so I was not particularly surprised by that outcome. Between the virtual and physical versions of tennis, these were some of the activations I enjoyed most.
If you would like to see these activations in action, along with a few additional moments from around the grounds, you can watch Part 3 of my National Bank Open series on my socials:
A Very Necessary Summer Intermission
A way my sister and I managed to stay refreshed throughout the day came courtesy of one of her fabulous ideas: Life Savers popsicles. It was incredibly hot outside, and after spending so much time moving between activations, having something cold while we explored was exactly what we needed. Apparently we agreed a little too enthusiastically, because we eventually went back for seconds and later enjoyed another while cooling down inside the Mercedes-Benz Lounge before leaving.
By that point, our repeated Life Savers popsicle stops had become an ongoing joke between us. It was such a simple part of the day, but genuinely one of our better decisions considering the heat.
Our First Centre Court Match: Elena Rybakina and Daria Kasatkina
Eventually, it was time to make our way into Centre Court for the matches we had been looking forward to watching. Our first was Elena Rybakina against Daria Kasatkina, which developed into an extensive three set match and gave us plenty of time to settle into the atmosphere of Centre Court.
Watching tennis in person offered a completely different perspective. There is a particular rhythm to experiencing a match from the stands, such as the stillness of the stadium before a serve or the immediate reactions of the crowd following an impressive point. The momentum between players also felt much more perceptible in person, particularly during such a closely contested match.
Staying Refreshed Courtside
With such a full day ahead of us, I also cooled down with a Tropical Vibe Celsius during the matches, which was a welcome energy boost before continuing with the rest of our day.
The Mercedes-Benz VIP Experience
Between matches and exploring the grounds, the Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge became a welcome place to retreat throughout the day. Our Centre Court Game Point tickets included VIP fast entry and lounge access, along with comfortable indoor seating, dining at Marché, unlimited non alcoholic beverages and, perhaps most importantly on this particular day, somewhere to escape the heat.
While I loved being outside amongst the energy of the tournament, having a quieter and more comfortable place to return to made spending the entire day at Sobeys Stadium considerably easier. Rather than having to leave the grounds for a proper break, we could step inside, sit down, cool off, have something to eat or drink and then return to the tournament whenever we were ready.
On such a warm summer day, it was a feature of the ticket package I appreciated more and more as the hours went on.
Dining at Marché
Our VIP package also included a meal at Marché inside the lounge, which made the experience feel considerably more complete given that we were spending most of the day at Sobeys Stadium. There were three different cuisine stations to choose from, each offering its own selection. I gravitated towards the “Far East” station, which was inspired by Asian cuisine and featured some favorites such as chicken, vegetable fried rice and spring rolls. I also had a cool drink from the unlimited selection available to complement my meal. Everything was absolutely delicious, if I do say so myself.
After spending so much of the day walking around the grounds and moving between activations and matches, being able to return to the lounge for a delicious meal was more than welcome. I also appreciated having several cuisines available rather than one predetermined meal, as it gave the dining experience a little more variety and allowed guests to choose according to their preference.
Between the meal, the variety of beverages and the opportunity to sit somewhere cool and comfortable before heading back outside, Marché became another part of the VIP experience that I genuinely appreciated.
The Mercedes-Benz Tennis Ball Claw Machine
There was another feature inside the Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge that caught my attention: a complimentary tennis ball claw machine. Naturally, I decided to try it, and somehow managed to win one. At the time, it was simply a fun souvenir from the lounge. I certainly did not think much of the tennis ball beyond being rather pleased that I had actually managed to win something from a claw machine. So, I placed it inside of the complimentary bag that was holding the rest of my prizes from earlier activations and headed back out for our next match.
Watching Coco Gauff and Kayla Day on Centre Court
Our next Centre Court match was Coco Gauff against Kayla Day, and this became one of the biggest highlights of the entire day. There was something slightly surreal about seeing them play in person. With Coco currently ranked World No. 4, watching an athlete of that caliber compete only meters away felt entirely different from seeing a match through a screen. Kayla also made the latter portion of the match particularly compelling, and the intense competition created some memorable moments from the stands.
The atmosphere around Centre Court became increasingly animated as the match unfolded. There were moments when the stadium seemed almost completely still in anticipation of a serve, followed seconds later by applause and reactions echoing around the court. It was one of those experiences where the energy of the crowd became almost as memorable as the tennis itself.
Coco ultimately won the match, which was already an exciting conclusion to watching her play live. At least, I thought that was the conclusion.
And Then Something Completely Unexpected Happened
After the match, most people began making their way out of the stands. My sister and I stayed behind a little longer, and two of the volunteers told us that we should head further down because Coco would be signing autographs. We weren’t able to make the earlier autograph opportunity that had taken place a few days ago, so this felt like an unexpected second chance. There was already quite a crowd gathered below, and we had no idea whether we would actually manage to get anything signed, but we decided it was certainly worth trying.
Coco began making her way along the front, signing for people on one side before moving towards some of the younger children nearby. That happened to bring her incredibly close to where we were standing. Suddenly, she was only centimeters away from us, taking photographs and signing autographs.
And then I remembered the tennis ball.
Yes, the same tennis ball I had won from the Mercedes-Benz claw machine only a little while earlier.
I brought it out and held it amongst everything else, hoping, maybe, perhaps she might reach for it. There was a plethora of other items being held out around us, so there was certainly no guarantee. And just like that, her hand reached over.
She took my tennis ball and signed it.
It happened incredibly quickly, but it was one of those wonderfully surreal moments where you realize that you somehow ended up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.
I will also say that Coco came across as incredibly down to earth. During her interview following the match, she spoke about enjoying the new Spider-Man movie before humorously clarifying that Marvel was not sponsoring her. It was a small moment, but one that made her personality feel particularly genuine after watching such an impressive performance on court.
And somehow, our luck was not finished. My sister had one of the hats I had bought for us earlier in the day, and she managed to have hers signed on the front as well.
One of us leaving with a Coco Gauff autograph would already have been exciting. Somehow, both of us did.
Perhaps my favourite part is that I managed to capture the moment perfectly on video. The tennis ball that had begun the afternoon as a spontaneous claw machine win had, within just a few hours, become a keepsake I’ll treasure for a lifetime.
It was certainly not how I expected my lucky machine prize to end its day.
Catching Naomi Osaka on Grandstand Court
And Coco Gauff wasn’t the only major name we managed to see that day. After leaving Centre Court, we made our way over to Grandstand Court, where Naomi Osaka was playing. We arrived towards the end of her match, so we only caught the final portion, but seeing her play live was still such an exciting addition to an already memorable day. There was something particularly enjoyable about being able to move between courts and unexpectedly catch another player I had known and watched for years.
It was another reason I appreciated having access to the grounds for the full day. Our Centre Court matches may have been the primary events on our schedule, but some of the most memorable parts of the experience came from simply continuing to explore afterwards.
My Favorite Moments
Looking back, there was not really one singular thing that made the day memorable. Watching some of the world’s most recognizable tennis players compete live was certainly a highlight, while the Mercedes-Benz VIP Lounge made spending an entire summer day at the stadium considerably more comfortable. The activations were also far more extensive than I had anticipated and added another dimension to the experience beyond the matches themselves.
But I also loved the smaller moments throughout the day: wandering the grounds with my sister, discovering different installations, stopping for photographs, playing games, our increasingly frequent popsicle breaks and moving between courts to see what else we might discover. And, of course, winning a tennis ball from a claw machine only to have Coco Gauff personally sign that exact ball a few hours later was something I never could have planned.
More than anything, the National Bank Open felt less like attending a single sporting event and more like spending an entire summer day immersed in the world of tennis. That was perhaps what surprised me most about the experience.
Would I Go Again?
Without a doubt.
I’m already thinking about my next outfit. On a future visit, I would love to experience another one of the tournament’s premium ticket options, perhaps Champions Club, and eventually attend the finals. I would also plan my day in a much similar way again. Arriving early gave us plenty of time to explore before the grounds became busier, while staying later allowed us to experience the more energetic atmosphere that developed as the day progressed.
A Little Tennis Update
One unexpected thing I took away from the National Bank Open was a much greater interest in the world of tennis. Since leaving Sobeys Stadium, I have found myself keeping up with the players and subsequent tournaments, which has made following what happens next considerably more interesting. Shortly after the National Bank Open, Coco Gauff went on to win the Cincinnati Open, another WTA 1000 tournament, earning her 12th career singles title.
After getting to watch her play live in Toronto and having such an unexpected interaction with her afterwards, it was particularly exciting to continue following her season and see her lift another trophy so soon after.
At this time, the US Open is also underway in New York, and I know I will be keeping up with it. For future readers, the US Open traditionally follows the National Bank Open, so it is also the perfect next tournament to follow if a visit to the NBO leaves you newly interested in the sport. There is something about experiencing tennis live that makes following it afterwards feel entirely different. The atmosphere at the National Bank Open was lively, engaging and genuinely enjoyable, and I left wanting to know what happened next.
Apparently, I went to Sobeys Stadium for a summer day of tennis and returned home with a signed Coco Gauff tennis ball and an entirely new sport to keep up with.
Safe to say, the National Bank Open left quite the impression.
Planning Your Own Day Courtside?
I put together a complimentary Tennis Tournament Ready guide with my recommended checklist, planning suggestions, insider tips, photo guide and everything I would bring for a full day of tennis.
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More on TravelwithCamillaT
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You can also follow my National Bank Open video series on my socials for even more of the matches, activations and moments I experienced throughout my day at Sobeys Stadium.
Have you ever attended the National Bank Open, or is it on your Toronto summer list for a future season? Let me know in the comments. Maybe next time I’ll catch you there!
Love,
Camilla-T. 🎾✨
For collaborations and inquiries, feel free to reach out at contactcamilla.t@gmail.com.
This sounds like a great time. All the events and food. Your details are great.
This looks like so much fun, even just the activations! Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you
It looked like you had a great time at the National Bank. I never thought about going to a tennis match, but you made it looked so much fun. Thanks for this post.
This looks like a fantastic day! I love tennis and played in high school. I wish there were matches like this somewhere around where I live. Would love to see it!
Thank you very much for sharing. This post is very informative, especially for someone planning to attend the National Bank for the first time.