Basketball in Canada is no longer just a Toronto story. When the NBA announced that the Toronto Raptors are heading to Quebec City and Vancouver for the 2026 pre-season, it marked another milestone in the country's hoops evolution.
Quebec City is finally getting its very first NBA pre-season game. Meanwhile, Vancouver continues to prove it hungers for a permanent return of professional basketball by welcoming the team back for another high-profile matchup. If you only follow what happens inside Scotiabank Arena, you are missing half the picture.
The Quebec City Breakthrough
On October 3, 2026, the Videotron Centre will host the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors. This isn't just an exhibition game thrown together on a whim. It represents a calculated effort to expand the brand deeper into la belle province.
Before the opening tip-off at the Videotron Centre, the Raptors are setting up their training camp right at Université Laval’s PEPS athletic complex from September 29 through October 2. General manager Bobby Webster pointed out that the organization holds fond memories of their 2019 training camp stint in the city. The combination of historic atmosphere and top-tier facilities made the return an easy choice for the front office.
Quebec City becomes the seventh Canadian city to host an NBA game, expanding a footprint that has slowly grown over the decades. Fans there won't just see a quick scrimmage; they get a front-row seat to an NBA training camp and a marquee matchup against Miami.
Vancouver Embraces Its Status as a Basketball Hub
Down on the West Coast, Rogers Arena is turning into a second home for the franchise. On October 10, the Raptors will square off against the Los Angeles Clippers in Vancouver.
Vancouver fans remember what a franchise looks like. Ever since the Grizzlies packed their bags for Memphis in 2001, local crowds have snapped up tickets every single time the NBA brings a taste of the league back to British Columbia. Hosting the Clippers marks the eighth time Vancouver has landed an official NBA Canada Game.
As forward Scottie Barnes noted, putting on that jersey means representing an entire country, making coast-to-coast trips vital for connecting with supporters who don't live near Toronto.
Inside the Full 2026 Pre-Season Blueprint
Pre-season games do more than fill arenas during the autumn lull. They set the tone for the entire regular season.
- Quebec City Training Camp: September 29 to October 2 at Université Laval
- Raptors vs. Miami Heat: October 3 at the Videotron Centre
- Raptors vs. LA Clippers: October 10 at Rogers Arena
- Home-and-home against the New York Knicks: October 13 at Scotiabank Arena and October 15 at Madison Square Garden
- Pre-season finale against the Detroit Pistons: October 16 at Little Caesars Arena
Tickets for both Canadian matchups go on sale to the public on August 20, with registration open ahead of time for exclusive pre-sales.
Getting tickets means moving fast. Past games across the country have drawn hundreds of thousands of fans, and local demand in both Quebec City and Vancouver is guaranteed to outstrip supply. Mark the date on your calendar, watch out for the pre-sale windows, and make sure you grab your seats before they vanish.
