What to wear to a Raptors game from the shoes up

Scotiabank Arena, at 40 Bay Street, publishes no dress code, so wear your best sneakers to a Raptors game. Step off the train at Union Station for a 7:30pm start. The game works as a sneaker culture event as much as a sport, so build your look from the court up.

A basketball game is the one night in Toronto where the shoes are what people look at. Nobody needs a jersey to fit in, though a jersey is welcome if you have one. The uniform is clean denim, a simple sweatshirt, and a pair you feel good walking in.

October in Toronto brings a low of 7.7°C, so travel in a jacket you can hold across your lap. The bag limit will catch you long before your clothes do.

Quick facts

• Venue address: Scotiabank Arena is at 40 Bay Street in Toronto.
• Home opener: Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 7:30pm ET against the Chicago Bulls, per the Raptors schedule on nba.com.
• Bag size limit: 16.5 cm by 11.5 cm, with x ray checks available at gates 1, 3 and 5.
• Bag check fee: $25 in the galleria across from Gate 1 for bags that do not fit the size rule.
• October temperatures: A mean daily high of 14.6°C and a low of 7.7°C, alongside 11.7 rainy days.
• November temperatures: A mean daily high of 8.1°C and a low of 2.3°C.
• On within: 499 pairs of men's sneakers and 497 women's, read 26 September 2026.

Three ways to dress for game night

For seats in the upper bowl, pair dark denim with a black hoodie and a Jordan 1 or a Dunk. within holds 231 black hoodies in Toronto starting at $80 and running to $7,000, stocked by Utopia and WDLT117 in Yorkville. That layer stays warm on the walk from Union Station.

Down near the court, swap fleece for a knit sweater or an overshirt and wear the pair you most want seen. On within, the men's sweaters and hoodies shelf has 110 pieces from $80 to $7,500 with a median of $795. Pair your knit with options from the Jordan shelf, where Utopia at 132 Cumberland Street lists 622 pieces priced from $100 to $3,000.

If you have a dinner table booked after the final buzzer, wear a coat over a sweater with clean leather sneakers. within lists 184 options on the men's jackets shelf from $80 to $10,000, with a median price of $800. Keep essentials in a clutch or small crossbody under 16.5 by 11.5 cm so you walk straight through security.

Choosing the right sneakers

Sneakers form the center of game day style in Toronto. On within, the men's sneakers shelf holds 499 pairs from $100 to $6,000 with a $400 median. Across the aisle, the women's sneakers shelf carries 497 pairs from $100 to $5,500.

Utopia also holds 494 Nike pieces on the Nike shelf, priced between $100 and $3,000. Read our guide to what Jordans cost in Canada to compare Yorkville pricing before you purchase.

A basketball game is the one night in Toronto where the sneakers carry the whole outfit.

What the bag rule means for you

The arena enforces a bag rule updated in October 2022. Only small purses, clutches, or fanny pack type bags smaller than 16.5 cm by 11.5 cm are permitted at the gates. That equals 6.5 by 4.5 inches, which holds a phone and cards.

If your bag exceeds the measurement, bag check costs $25 in the galleria across from Gate 1. Gates 1, 3, and 5 offer x ray screening for bags that need a medical or other exception. Avoid the line by sticking to pockets or a minimal pouch that fits the template.

Getting to the arena and into your seat

Union Station links Scotiabank Arena with the TTC and GO Transit. The arena is at 40 Bay Street. Plan your arrival for 7pm to clear entry without rushing before a 7:30pm start.

The one home preseason game is Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 7pm. The regular season home opener is Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 7:30pm ET against the Chicago Bulls.

October home games follow on Wednesday 28 October at 7:30pm and Friday 30 October at 7:30pm. November home dates run Monday 9 November at 7:30pm, Wednesday 11 November at 7pm, and Sunday 15 November at 6pm.

Check the weather before heading out, because November brings a mean low of 2.3°C and calls for an extra knit. October remains milder with a mean high of 14.6°C and a low of 7.7°C, making a light jacket right. If you plan to attend winter games on the ice, see our guide on what to wear to a hockey game.

Common questions

What should I wear to a Raptors game?

Wear clean sneakers, comfortable denim, and a layer you can hold across your lap. Scotiabank Arena publishes no dress code, so shoes are what people look at. Choose a pair you feel good walking in from Union Station.

Can I bring a bag to Scotiabank Arena?

Yes, but only if your bag is smaller than 16.5 cm by 11.5 cm (6.5 by 4.5 inches). Bags over that size can go to the bag check across from Gate 1 for $25. Bags that need a medical or other exception can enter through x ray lanes at gates 1, 3, and 5.

Do you have to wear a jersey to a basketball game?

No, you do not need to wear a jersey to attend a basketball game. The arena publishes no dress code, and a jersey is welcome if you have one. You can wear clean denim and a hoodie paired with good sneakers.

What is the dress code for a basketball game?

There is none at Scotiabank Arena, which publishes no dress code. Clean denim, a simple sweatshirt and a pair you feel good walking in will do. Bring a jacket you can hold on your lap, since October lows average 7.7°C.

What should I wear to a basketball game?

Dark denim, a black hoodie and a Jordan 1 or a Dunk for the upper bowl. Near the court, swap the hoodie for a knit or an overshirt. With dinner after, wear a coat over a sweater with clean leather sneakers.

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