OVO Athletic Centre

Facility Design and Amenities

The OVO Athletic Centre is a two-storey, 68,000-square-foot complex designed specifically for high-performance basketball training and athlete support. Its primary features include two full-size NBA regulation basketball courts, which together provide six baskets for simultaneous use. One of these courts can be configured for use by the public during times when the professional teams are not scheduled. The facility houses expansive locker rooms equipped with individual television monitors above each player's locker, along with dedicated training and medical facilities to support athlete health and rehabilitation. A significant technological feature is the cognitive operations centre powered by IBM Watson, which consolidates and analyzes performance data for display on screens throughout the centre and on mobile devices. The building's design also incorporates shared spaces, with specific sections allocated for MLSE operations, community use, and the basketball courts themselves, which are scheduled for use by both the professional teams and the public. The centre totals 6,800 square meters of space dedicated to athletic development.

Development and Funding Agreement with the City

The development of a dedicated training facility for the Raptors began in November 2013 when MLSE contracted an architect for its design. The team had previously practised on a court within the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) since 1999, and a new standalone facility would free up that space for other commercial uses like a restaurant or nightclub. MLSE proposed constructing the building on a parking lot in the west end of the City of Toronto's Exhibition Place property, a plan that required the loss of 200 parking spaces. To mitigate this, the proposal included replacing an adjacent ball diamond with a new parking lot. The project received sequential approvals from the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place on August 14, 2014, the City Council's Executive Committee on August 20, and the full Toronto City Council on August 25, 2014. Construction commenced in November 2014 and was completed in time for the NBA All-Star Game hosted in Toronto in February 2016.

The financing and lease agreement between MLSE and the City of Toronto established the terms for the facility's operation and community benefit. MLSE bore the entire CA$30 million construction cost for the building and the new parking lot. In return, the company leases the land from the City for an annual rent of $205,000, plus municipal taxes, with the rent subject to reassessment for inflation. The initial lease term is for 20 years, with two options for MLSE to extend it by ten years each. At the end of the lease period, ownership of the building will revert to the City. As part of the community benefits agreement, MLSE pledged to make approximately 32% of the facility available for public use during most daytime and evening hours and requested a tax exemption for that portion. MLSE also contributed to the cost of a parking study for Exhibition Place, which would lead to plans for a new parking facility and the reconstruction of green space to replace the lost ball diamond. The annual CNE Lions Club youth baseball tournament, previously held at the diamond, was moved to Coronation Park as an interim measure.

Naming History and the OVO Partnership

The facility has undergone two name changes since its opening, reflecting evolving corporate and brand partnerships. Upon its launch in February 2016, it was named the BioSteel Centre after the sports nutrition company BioSteel, a corporate sponsor of the Raptors. That naming arrangement concluded in 2018, and the building was subsequently rebranded as the Toronto Raptors Training Centre. A significant rebranding occurred on March 14, 2019, when the Raptors announced a naming rights agreement with October's Very Own (OVO), the brand co-founded by Toronto-born rapper Drake, record producer Noah '40' Shebib, and talent manager Oliver El-Khatib. The facility was renamed the OVO Athletic Centre as part of the team's deepening partnership with Drake, who had been named the Raptors' global ambassador nearly six years prior.

Raptors president Masai Ujiri personally presented Drake with a key to the facility in Manchester, England, to celebrate the new deal. Ujiri stated the partnership was an obvious choice given Drake's connection to Toronto and basketball fans, adding that Drake and OVO are an important part of the city's landscape and the team's identity. The rebranding included the installation of OVO Athletic Centre signage featuring the brand's recognizable owl logo both inside and outside the building. Raptors practice jerseys were updated to feature the OVO owl logo on the upper left chest. Drake has a locker in the Raptors' locker room at Scotiabank Arena with a nametag reading 'The Boy,' and his involvement with the franchise has extended to planning for the 2016 All-Star Weekend, the launch of the 'We The North' campaign, and the design of an OVO-inspired alternate uniform. Drake expressed pride in the naming deal on social media, calling it a blessing to raise the levels of what is possible.

Primary Tenants and Daily Operations

The OVO Athletic Centre serves as the daily training home for several key basketball organizations. Its primary tenant is the Toronto Raptors of the NBA, who utilize the facility for practices, film sessions, and medical treatment throughout the regular season and off-season. The Raptors' NBA G League affiliate, Raptors 905, which is based in Mississauga, Ontario, also regularly uses the centre for its training and development activities. Canada Basketball, the national governing body for the sport, accesses the world-class facilities for training camps and preparation for international competitions. The shared-use model ensures the courts and amenities support both elite athlete preparation and broader community engagement, with scheduling managed to accommodate the needs of all user groups. The facility's operational schedule is dictated by the Raptors' needs, with community and youth programming slots subject to change based on the team's requirements.

Community and Youth Programming Initiatives

In accordance with its lease agreement, the OVO Athletic Centre maintains a scheduled program of community access and youth development initiatives. A dedicated portion of the facility, estimated at 32%, is available for public programming during the majority of daytime and evening hours. One flagship program is the Raptors Clinic Series presented by Tangerine, which offers youth basketball clinics led by the team's basketball development staff. For the 2026-27 season, the clinic series includes specific sessions such as the 'Fast-Break' All Skills Clinic and the 'Buzzer Beater' Shooting Skills Clinic for athletes aged 7 to 14, held exclusively at the OVO Athletic Centre. These clinics run for two and a half hours, with check-in required 15 minutes prior to start time. Participants receive an exclusive clinic series t-shirt and the experience of training inside the Raptors' official facility. Parents are not provided a viewing area for these sessions but are welcome to wait in the parking lot.

Ontario Basketball (OBA) has also partnered with MLSE to provide unique opportunities for member clubs. The partnership includes a contest where OBA teams from the U10 to U14 age categories can enter to win practice time at the centre, typically scheduled on weekday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This program allows young athletes to train on the same courts as NBA professionals. All players and coaches must complete waivers to enter the facility, and only those individuals are permitted inside during the practice time. Community use is carefully scheduled around the needs of the Raptors and Raptors 905, with availability subject to change based on team requirements. These programs highlight the facility's dual role as both a high-performance training centre and a community asset for basketball development in the Greater Toronto Area.

• Raptors Clinic Series: Youth skills clinics (ages 7-14) presented by Tangerine, with sessions like the 'Fast-Break' and 'Buzzer Beater' clinics.
• OBA Team Practice Contest: Ontario Basketball member clubs (U10-U14) can win practice time on Monday through Thursday evenings.
• Public Access Commitment: Approximately 32% of the facility is allocated for community use per the city lease agreement.
• Clinic Registration: Requires a LeagueApps account, with refund policies detailed for cancellations.
• Participant Requirements: Youth must bring a water bottle, basketball shoes, shorts, nut-free snacks, and a completed waiver for OBA events.
• Scheduling Priority: All community programming is scheduled around the professional teams' needs and is subject to change.

Location, Access, and Contact Information

The OVO Athletic Centre is situated at 30 British Columbia Road within the Exhibition Place grounds in Toronto's west end. Its location is near the intersection of Dufferin Street and the Gardiner Expressway, placing it just west of the city's downtown core. The specific address is across the street from the Medieval Times dinner theatre attraction. The facility is built on public land leased from the City of Toronto, a site that was previously a parking lot for Exhibition Place. For visitors attending clinics or events, the centre provides parking facilities that were developed as part of the construction project, replacing parking spaces lost to the building's footprint. The venue's proximity to major transportation routes makes it accessible from across the Greater Toronto Area for both the professional teams and community participants. The facility's contact phone number is (416) 477-8075, which is listed for Ontario Basketball inquiries related to the team practice contest.

Related MLSE Facilities

The OVO Athletic Centre is one of several high-performance training facilities managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for its sports properties. A directly comparable facility is the Ford Performance Centre, which serves as the training home for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League and the Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. Like the OVO Athletic Centre, the Ford Performance Centre is a dedicated, state-of-the-art complex built to support elite athlete development. Both facilities represent MLSE's significant investment in providing its teams with top-tier training infrastructure separate from their game venues. This strategy allows for specialized training environments and frees up space within the primary arenas for other commercial uses, a model first realized for the Raptors with the construction of the OVO Athletic Centre.

Questions about OVO Athletic Centre

Where is the OVO Athletic Centre located?

The OVO Athletic Centre is located at 30 British Columbia Road in Toronto, Ontario, on the grounds of Exhibition Place. It is situated near Dufferin Street and the Gardiner Expressway, directly across from the Medieval Times attraction. The facility is built on City of Toronto land that is leased by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Its location west of downtown Toronto provides convenient access for the Toronto Raptors, their affiliates, and community program participants.

Who uses the OVO Athletic Centre?

The primary tenant is the Toronto Raptors NBA team, which uses the facility for daily practices, training, and medical care. The Raptors' NBA G League affiliate, Raptors 905, also trains there regularly. Canada Basketball utilizes the centre for national team activities. A portion of the facility is dedicated to community use, hosting youth basketball clinics like the Raptors Clinic Series and programs organized through partnerships with Ontario Basketball for youth teams from the U10 to U14 age categories.

Can the public use the OVO Athletic Centre?

Yes, the public can access the OVO Athletic Centre through specific community and youth programming. As per the lease agreement with the City of Toronto, approximately 32% of the facility is available for community use during most daytime and evening hours. Public access is primarily facilitated through organized programs such as the Raptors Clinic Series for youth and contests run by Ontario Basketball where member clubs can win practice time. General public drop-in use is not typical. Access is managed through these scheduled programs and events.

What are the OVO Clinics?

The OVO Clinics are part of the Raptors Clinic Series presented by Tangerine, which are specialized basketball training sessions for youth aged 7 to 14. Held at the OVO Athletic Centre, these clinics include skill-specific sessions like the 'Fast-Break' All Skills Clinic and the 'Buzzer Beater' Shooting Skills Clinic. Participants receive coaching from Raptors development staff, an exclusive clinic series t-shirt, and the unique experience of training inside the NBA team's official practice facility. Registration for these clinics requires a LeagueApps account, and refunds are subject to a $25 administration fee if cancelled more than six business days in advance.

How was the OVO Athletic Centre funded?

The OVO Athletic Centre was funded entirely by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which paid the CA$30 million construction cost for the building and associated parking lot. MLSE leases the land from the City of Toronto for an annual fee of $205,000, plus municipal taxes, with the rent subject to inflationary adjustments. The lease has a 20-year initial term with options for two ten-year extensions, after which ownership of the building will transfer to the City. The agreement also includes commitments for public access, a parking study, and the relocation of a youth baseball tournament.

When did the facility become the OVO Athletic Centre?

The facility was renamed the OVO Athletic Centre on March 14, 2019. This change followed a naming rights agreement between the Toronto Raptors and October's Very Own (OVO), the lifestyle brand and record label co-founded by rapper Drake. It originally opened on February 10, 2016, as the BioSteel Centre. After that sponsorship ended in 2018, it was briefly called the Toronto Raptors Training Centre. The rebranding included installing OVO signage with its owl logo inside and outside the building and adding the logo to Raptors practice jerseys.

Sources and further reading

• OVO Athletic Centre (Wikipedia)
• OVO Clinic Series • Home of the Raptors Basketball ... (raptorsdevelopment.com)
• Win your OBA team a practice at the OVO Athletic Centre! (basketball.on.ca)
• Raptors training facility renamed OVO Athletic Centre in ... (stalbertgazette.com)
• Athletic Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (kpe.utoronto.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.