It’s a time of celebration across North America! With Canada Day on 1 July and US Independence Day on 4 July, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate what makes both countries great. As two nations who pride themselves on their love of sport, why not swap the traditional barbecue and fireworks display at home for a mouth-watering tailgate party and explosive thrills at one of these 10 exciting events?
NHL Draft (28-29 June 2023), Ice Hockey
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Celebrate both Canada Day and Independence Day by enjoying a sport that unites both nations. Witness the NHL Draft beckon in its next chapter as each NHL franchise systemically selects the rights to available players to sign them for the 2023-24 season. The Draft Order has been confirmed and coaching staff and fans alike will be champing at the bit at the possible signings their team might guarantee. As is the case every year, the first day of the event features round 1 of the draw and rounds 2-7 are held on the second day. Tickets can be purchased to cover a single day or both days for those who don’t want to miss their team making a key pick! Official tickets start at just $15.
Phillips 66 2023 National Championships (27 June – 1 July 2023), Swimming
IU Natatorium, Indianapolis, USA
Many of the greatest swimmers in history have represented the United States. Consistently dominant in international competition, Team USA can always rely on a wealth of talent to add more and more medals and records to a lengthy list of achievements. Over 5 days at the end of June, however, the nation’s top swimmers will find themselves competing against, rather than alongside, one another. The Phillips 66 National Championships is an annual contest for the best US athletes, and this year it will also serve as the International Team Trials, determining which swimmers will make the cut for Team USA at upcoming world competitions. Superstars like Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel will be competing, and tickets start at just USD $10 per session.
CFL: Montreal Alouettes v Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1 July 2023), American Football
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, Canada
This year the Montreal Alouettes will host a home game on Canada Day for the first time in the team’s history. Unlike Labour Day and Thanksgiving, the 1 July holiday does not always coincide with CFL competition, so only 23 games have ever been played on Canada Day. The 24th will come this season, when the Alouettes welcome the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. The Bombers were league runners up last year, losing to the Toronto Argonauts in the 109th Grey Cup by just 1 point. Both the Alouettes and the Blue Bombers recorded victories in this year’s opening weekend, and the 2 fanbases will already be dreaming of playoff glory. Tickets for the Canada Day matchup are available from CAD $25 (USD $19).
Salt Lake City Summer League (3-6 July 2023), Basketball
Delta Center/Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, USA
With the NBA now in its offseason, it’s time for the annual Summer Leagues to return. Before the NBA Summer League returns from 7-17 July, fans will have to choose from the California Classic Summer League (3-5 July) and the Salt Lake City Summer League. These events are great for watching multiple NBA teams in action on the same day, and typically at much more affordable prices than you’d find during the regular season. In this edition, the Utah Jazz will be joined by the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers. Single-day passes start at USD $19, while 3-day passes begin at just $32.
US Women’s Open, (3-9 July 2023), Golf
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, USA
Where better to celebrate Independence Day than the United States’ own national golf major, in the California sunshine no less? The US Women’s Open is the oldest and arguably most prestigious major in women’s golf, having been a fixture on the calendar since 1946. Australia’s Minjee Lee will be hoping to defend her title after she set a tournament record score of 271 in last year’s competition, while home fans will undoubtedly be rooting for the first American winner since Brittany Lang’s triumph in 2016. Single-day Gallery admission starts at just USD $34, while hospitality begins at $129.
Monday Night Raw: Baltimore (3 July 2023), Wrestling
CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, USA
Firecrackers will light up skies across the US this Independence Day, but there will also be plenty of fireworks in the ring when Monday Night Raw heads to Baltimore. WWE’s flagship weekly show is set to touch down at CFG Bank Arena the night before the 4th, with all-American heroes like Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, and Charlotte Flair in attendance. A fitting city for a patriotic holiday, Baltimore’s Fort McHenry served as inspiration for the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner, but on 3 July this year, all fighting will be confined to the squared-circle. Wrestling fans can join the fun and catch the latest instalment of WWE’s longest-running TV show for just USD $37.
LA Galaxy v Los Angeles FC (4 July 2023), Football Soccer
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, USA
The Los Angeles Derby, also known as “El Tráfico” in reference to both the city’s notorious road congestion and Spanish football’s “El Classico,” is one of Major League Soccer’s most hotly anticipated matches, with fans of both sides fuelling the match day excitement, and the players duly providing plenty of goals whenever the teams face-off. Following a 3-2 win for LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park in April, this season’s second league meeting will take place on 4 July at Pasadena’s world-famous Rose Bowl stadium, meaning fans on the west coast are guaranteed an Independence Day to remember, regardless of whether their half of Los Angeles comes out on top. Ticket prices for this Western Conference clash start at USD $43.
New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles (4 July 2023), Baseball
Yankee Stadium, New York City, USA
A trip to the ballpark on 4 July is a great American tradition. For as long as the United States has been a nation, baseball has been an indispensable part of US culture, and where better to celebrate America’s Pastime than at Yankee Stadium – home of the most successful franchise in the history of American sport. This year, on Independence Day, the Yankees face the Baltimore Orioles as both teams battle for control of the AL East. As barbecues are fired up at family gatherings across the country, Yankees fans will be hoping their team can rustle up a home win that would improve their chances of clinching a playoff berth in the fall. Tickets for this game begin at USD $13.
Volleyball Men’s Nations League - Week 3: Pool 5 (4-9 July 2023), Volleyball
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, United States
The Volleyball Nations League is in full swing with this Week 3 round in Anaheim, California helping to determine which teams will make it to the Finals in Poland. Each of the participating teams of each preliminary round – Pool 5 features the USA, Iran, Argentina, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Serbia, and Cuba – plays one match against each of their opponents. The top 5 teams at the end of these rounds will qualify for the final. Tickets for Week 3: Pool 5 can be purchased for individual matches, as full-day passes, as weekend passes, or as full-event passes, with the most affordable single- match tickets starting at USD $21.
Rocket League Championship Series Spring Major (6-9 July 2023), Esports
Agganis Arena, Boston, USA
Starting a couple of days after 4 July, the Rocket League Championship Series Spring Major will ensure that the fireworks continue a little longer – in Boston at least. With Karmine Corp’s dramatic Winter Major victory still fresh in fans’ minds, and with the Rocket League World Championship just a few weeks away, the Spring Major is perfectly poised to bring esports fans plenty of rocket-powered drama. A live crowd will be in attendance during the event’s final 2 days, when the world’s best professional Rocket League players will be giving their all to grab a Major win and secure a World Championship berth. Day ticket prices start at USD $50, with 2-day access available from $90.
For more information on these events, including ticket prices, click the links below:
- NHL Draft (28-29 June 2023), Ice Hockey
- Phillips 66 2023 National Championships (27 June – 1 July 2023), Swimming
- CFL: Montreal Alouettes v Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1 July 2023), American Football
- Salt Lake City Summer League (3-6 July 2023), Basketball
- US Women’s Open, (3-9 July 2023), Golf
- Monday Night Raw: Baltimore (3 July 2023), Wrestling
- LA Galaxy v Los Angeles FC (4 July 2023), Football
- New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles (4 July 2023), Baseball
- Volleyball Men’s Nations League - Week 3: Pool 5 (4-9 July 2023), Volleyball
- Rocket League Championship Series Spring Major (6-9 July 2023), Esports
None of the above quite what you’re looking for? Find more sports events on Koobit.