What to Expect at the Canadian Open – First Visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium

Attending the Canadian Open for the first time is one of those experiences that tennis fans remember for years. The atmosphere, the proximity to world class players, the energy of a packed Centre Court during an evening session under the lights. It is genuinely unlike almost any other live sporting event you can attend in North America.

But a first visit to IGA Stadium in Montreal or Sobeys Stadium in Toronto goes much more smoothly when you know what to expect before you arrive. Security processes, session structures, moving between courts, rain delays, fan etiquette. None of it is complicated once you understand how tournament day actually works.

This guide covers everything a first-time Canadian Open visitor needs to know, from the moment you download your ticket to the moment you leave the venue after the final match of your session.

Quick Facts:

Detail	IGA Stadium Montreal	Sobeys Stadium Toronto
Address	285 Rue Gary-Carter, Montreal	1 Shoreham Drive, North York
Gate opening	Typically 2 hours before session	Typically 2 hours before session
Day session	12:30 PM	11:00 AM
Evening session	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Official website	nationalbankopen.com	nationalbankopen.com
Children free	Ages 0-2 on lap at IGA Stadium	Check official website

Before You Arrive – Planning Your First Visit

The most common mistake first-time Canadian Open visitors make is leaving preparation until match day. A few simple steps the evening before your session make everything smoother from the moment you leave your accommodation.

Pre-visit checklist:

Task	When to Do It	Why It Matters
Download mobile ticket	Night before	Avoids searching at the gate
Check order of play	Night before	Know which matches are on which court
Check weather forecast	Morning of match	Prepare for rain or intense heat
Plan transport route	Night before	Avoid last minute confusion
Charge phone fully	Morning of match	Mobile ticket and photography
Pack your bag	Night before	Clear bags move through security fastest

Checking the order of play:

The order of play for each session is published on the official National Bank Open website the evening before each match day. It tells you which players are scheduled on Centre Court, Rogers Court at IGA Stadium, Stadium Court at Sobeys Stadium, and all outer courts.

Checking this before you arrive allows you to plan which courts to visit during your session and which matches you most want to prioritise.

What to wear:

August in both Montreal and Toronto means hot, humid conditions with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Light breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are essential for any session starting before 5pm. For evening sessions a light layer is worth bringing as temperatures drop after sunset.

Arriving at the Venue – Gates and Entry

Arriving at the right time makes a significant difference to your first Canadian Open experience. Too early and you are waiting outside before the gates open. Too late and you miss the outer court atmosphere that makes the tournament special beyond just the main court matches.

Recommended arrival times:

Session Type	Session Start	Recommended Arrival	Why
Day session	11:00 AM or 12:30 PM	90 minutes before	Gates open 2 hours before, outer courts fill early
Evening session	7:00 PM	5:30 PM	Avoid rush hour transport congestion
Semifinals	Any	2 hours before	High demand, security queues longer
Finals	Any	2.5 hours before	Busiest day of tournament, arrive well ahead

What to expect at the entrance gates:

Both IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium have multiple entrance gates around the venue perimeter. The main entrance at IGA Stadium is on Rue Gary-Carter. The primary entrance at Sobeys Stadium is on Shoreham Drive.

Gate entry process:

• Join the queue at your nearest entrance gate
• Have your mobile ticket open and screen brightness turned up before reaching the front
• Place your bag on the security table for inspection
• Walk through the security check point
• Have your ticket scanned at the turnstile
• Collect your bag and proceed inside

Signage inside both venues is clear and well organised. Court maps are available at information points near the main entrance and downloadable from the official National Bank Open website before your visit.

Security Check Process

For anyone on their first visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium, the security check is the first thing you encounter after joining the entrance queue. It is straightforward and moves quickly when you have prepared your bag correctly beforehand.

Step by step security process:

Step	What Happens
1	Join the security queue at your nearest entrance gate
2	Remove bag from shoulder and place on inspection table
3	Security staff inspect bag contents
4	Walk through security checkpoint
5	Collect bag and proceed to ticket turnstile
6	Open mobile ticket with screen brightness turned up
7	Scan mobile ticket at turnstile and enter venue

How to move through security fastest:

• Use a clear bag or small transparent backpack so staff can inspect contents without removing items
• Remove water bottles and place them separately on the inspection table
• Keep your mobile ticket accessible before joining the queue
• Avoid bringing prohibited items that trigger additional checks and slow your entry

What slows security down:

• Large opaque bags requiring full unpacking for inspection
• Glass containers that are immediately prohibited and must be disposed of
• Professional camera equipment requiring additional verification
• Large groups who have not prepared bags before reaching the security table

Security queues build fastest in the 30 minutes immediately before session start times. Arriving 90 minutes early gives you comfortable time to clear security, explore the venue, and reach your seat before the first match begins.

What You Can and Cannot Bring Into the Venue

Knowing what is permitted inside both IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium before you pack your bag saves time at the security gate and avoids the frustration of having items confiscated before you enter.

Permitted and prohibited items:

Item	Permitted?	Notes
Metal or plastic water bottles	Yes	Refill stations available inside
Personal food and snacks	Yes	Non-glass packaging only
Small personal cooler	Yes	Non-glass contents only
Clear bag or backpack	Yes	Moves through security fastest
Sunscreen	Yes	Essential for afternoon sessions
Camera (personal use)	Yes	No detachable professional lenses
Binoculars	Yes	Useful for upper bowl seats
Medical items	Yes	Subject to inspection
Glass bottles or containers	No	Must be disposed of before entry
Outside alcohol	No	Available for purchase inside
Large bags or suitcases	No	Not permitted inside venue
Drones	No	Strictly prohibited at both venues
Professional video equipment	No	Requires prior accreditation
Noise makers or horns	No	Not permitted at tennis venues

Camera policy:

Personal photography throughout both venues is permitted for non-commercial use. Cameras with detachable professional lenses may require prior permission or accreditation from Tennis Canada. Video recording during matches is subject to tournament regulations and should not interfere with other spectators.

Food and drink policy:

Personal food and non-alcoholic drinks in plastic or metal containers are permitted through the gates at both venues. Outside alcohol cannot be brought in but is available for purchase at concession points inside. Always verify the current policy on nationalbankopen.com before attending as rules can be updated between seasons.

Your First Hour Inside the Venue

The first hour inside IGA Stadium or Sobeys Stadium sets the tone for your entire Canadian Open experience. First-time visitors who know where to go immediately after clearing security get significantly more out of their session than those who wander without a plan.

Recommended first hour timeline:

Time After Entry	What to Do
0-10 minutes	Pick up a court map from the information point near the main entrance
10-20 minutes	Walk the outer courts to check which matches are being played
20-35 minutes	Claim a courtside position at an outer court match that interests you
35-50 minutes	Visit food concessions before queues build at session start
50-60 minutes	Find your reserved seat on Centre Court before the first match begins

What to explore first:

• Outer courts are the hidden highlight of any first visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium and should be your first destination after security
• Practice courts sometimes feature top seeds warming up before their scheduled matches, worth checking near the outer court area
• Fan zones and sponsor activations near the main concourse offer interactive experiences between matches
• Merchandise stands are located near the main entrance at both venues and get busiest immediately after popular matches end

Ground pass holders:

If you have a ground pass rather than a reserved seat, your first hour is entirely devoted to outer court exploration. Arrive early, claim a courtside position at the most appealing match on the outer courts, and move between courts freely throughout the session as matches begin and end across the complex.

How Sessions Work at the Canadian Open

Understanding how sessions are structured at the Canadian Open helps first-time visitors plan their day and get the most out of every hour inside the venue.

Session structure at both venues:

Session	Start Time Montreal	Start Time Toronto	What It Covers
Day session	12:30 PM	11:00 AM	Multiple matches across all courts
Evening session	7:00 PM	7:00 PM	Featured matches on Centre Court
Finals day	Evening	Evening	Single match per session

How matches flow across the venue:

The Canadian Open does not run on a fixed schedule like team sports. Matches start when the previous match finishes, which means session times are approximate rather than exact. A day session starting at 12:30 PM might still have matches running at 6:00 PM if early matches go to three sets.

Order of play explained:

• The order of play published the night before lists matches in the sequence they will be played on each court
• Centre Court and Rogers Court at IGA Stadium host the featured matches with the highest-ranked players
• Stadium Court at Sobeys Stadium follows the same structure
• Outer courts run simultaneously with multiple matches happening at the same time across the complex

Day session vs evening session:

Factor	Day Session	Evening Session
Temperature	Hotter, more sun exposure	Cooler, more comfortable
Atmosphere	Relaxed, exploratory	Charged, electric
Matches	Earlier round, more courts active	Featured matches, Centre Court focus
Value	More tennis for your money	Premium atmosphere and matchups
Recommended for	First-time visitors wanting full exploration	Fans wanting the best atmosphere

Evening sessions consistently deliver the most memorable first-time Canadian Open experience at both IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium.

Moving Between Courts During Your Session

One of the unique pleasures of attending the Canadian Open is the freedom to move between courts and follow the action across the entire venue complex. Understanding how this works makes your first visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium significantly more enjoyable.

Court access by ticket type:

Ticket Type	Centre Court	Rogers Court (Montreal)	Outer Courts
Ground pass	No	No	Yes, all outer courts
Rogers Court ticket	No	Yes	Yes, all outer courts
Centre Court ticket	Yes	Yes, Level 200	Yes, all outer courts
Premium courtside	Yes	Yes	Yes, all outer courts

When to move between courts:

• Changeovers between games are the ideal time to move between outer courts without missing action
• Centre Court ticket holders can visit Rogers Court at IGA Stadium between matches on the main court
• Ground pass holders should check the order of play to anticipate when the most interesting outer court matches begin
• Moving during a tiebreak or deciding set is not recommended as these are the most tense and exciting moments of any match

Strategy for ground pass holders:

Ground pass holders get the most value from their ticket by arriving early, identifying the most compelling outer court matches from the order of play, and positioning themselves courtside before those matches begin. Once a match starts attracting large crowds it becomes difficult to find a good courtside position.

Strategy for Centre Court ticket holders:

Centre Court ticket holders should use the time between matches to explore Rogers Court at IGA Stadium or the outer courts at Sobeys Stadium. Some of the most entertaining tennis at the Canadian Open happens on these courts where rising stars and experienced veterans compete in front of smaller, more intimate crowds.

Rain Delays and Weather at the Canadian Open

August weather in both Montreal and Toronto can be unpredictable. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during tournament week and knowing what happens when rain arrives is essential preparation for any first visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium.

What happens when it rains:

Situation	What Happens
Light rain	Play continues on outer courts, Centre Court assessment made
Heavy rain	Play suspended across all courts, players leave the court
IGA Stadium Centre Court	Retractable roof closes to protect play
Sobeys Stadium	No retractable roof, play suspended during heavy rain
Rain delay	Fans remain in seats or shelter in concourse areas
Session cancelled	Official Tennis Canada refund or exchange policy applies

IGA Stadium roof advantage:

IGA Stadium in Montreal has a retractable roof over Centre Court that can close during heavy rain, allowing play to continue while outer courts are suspended. This is a significant advantage for Centre Court ticket holders who are protected from rain cancellations that affect outer court matches.

Sobeys Stadium in Toronto does not have a retractable roof, meaning heavy rain suspends all play across the venue until conditions improve.

Staying updated during rain delays:

• The official National Bank Open app provides real-time updates on play resumption
• Court announcements are made through the venue PA system at both stadiums
• Official social media channels post regular updates during weather disruptions
• Always check nationalbankopen.com for the current rain delay and refund policy before attending

For a first visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium during an unpredictable August weather week, downloading the official app before your session gives you the fastest access to real-time play updates.

Family and Children Tips for First-Time Visitors

The Canadian Open is one of the most family-friendly major tennis events in North America, and a first visit to IGA or Sobeys Stadium with children can be a genuinely memorable experience when planned correctly.

Children and ticketing:

Age	IGA Stadium Montreal	Sobeys Stadium Toronto
0-2 years	Free if sitting on parent lap	Check official website
3 and above	Ticket required	Ticket required
Family seating	Available, contact Tennis Canada	Available, contact Tennis Canada

Keeping children engaged across a full session:

• Outer courts are ideal for families with younger children as matches are shorter and the intimate setting keeps attention focused
• Fan zones near the main concourse at both venues offer interactive activities between matches
• Practice court viewing gives children the closest possible access to professional players warming up before their matches
• Day sessions are more family-friendly than evening sessions as match times align better with younger children’s schedules

Practical family tips:

• Bring noise-cancelling headphones for younger children who may find crowd noise overwhelming during tense match moments
• Sunscreen, hats, and water bottles are essential for families attending afternoon sessions at either venue
• Identify the nearest accessible restroom to your seat before the first match begins to avoid rushing during play
• Ground passes give families the flexibility to move freely between courts rather than being committed to one seat for an extended period

Tennis etiquette for first-time family visitors:

Tennis crowds are quiet during points and applaud between them. Explaining this simple rule to children before entering the venue makes the experience more comfortable for surrounding fans and helps younger visitors understand why the atmosphere changes so dramatically between rallies.

Canadian Open Fan Etiquette

Tennis has its own unique set of audience customs that differ significantly from most other live sports events. Understanding basic fan etiquette before your first visit makes the experience more enjoyable for you and the fans around you.

Core tennis etiquette rules:

Situation	What to Do
During a point	Stay quiet, no movement in lower bowl sections
Between points	Applaud freely, brief conversation is fine
After a great shot	Applaud immediately when the point ends
Player serving	Complete silence until the serve is struck
Changing ends	Good time to move between seats or visit concessions
Mobile phone calls	Step out to the concourse, never take calls courtside

Photography etiquette:

• Personal photography is welcome between points and during changeovers
• Never use flash photography during play as it distracts players at critical moments
• Video recording short clips for personal use is generally accepted but avoid blocking other spectators with raised devices
• Some sections have specific photography restrictions, follow any signage inside the venue

Moving during play:

In lower bowl Centre Court sections at both IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium, movement during points is strongly discouraged. Ushers may ask you to wait at the end of a game before returning to your seat during active play. In upper bowl sections the same courtesy applies though enforcement is slightly less strict.

Respecting the players:

• Shouting player names or encouragement between points is welcome
• Any noise or movement during serve is considered poor etiquette and affects the player’s concentration
• Negative comments directed at players are not acceptable and may result in removal from the venue

Good fan etiquette makes the Canadian Open experience better for everyone in the stadium and reflects the respectful culture that makes tennis crowds unique among major sporting events.

Conclusion

A first visit to IGA Stadium or Sobeys Stadium is one of the finest live sports experiences Canada has to offer. World class tennis, passionate crowds, multiple courts running simultaneously, and the unique atmosphere of a Masters 1000 event in the heart of the North American summer hard court season.

Prepare your bag the night before. Download your mobile ticket. Check the order of play. Arrive early enough to explore the outer courts before your session begins. Follow the simple etiquette rules that make tennis crowds so special. Do all of that and your first Canadian Open experience will be everything the tournament promises.

To plan your visit further, explore our complete Canadian Open tickets guide for session options and pricing, and our full tournament schedule for confirmed match dates this summer.