What better place to wrap up the 2009 football season than Toronto - home to North America's oldest professional football franchise. There's no question Toronto is a great football town - in addition to having the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, last year Toronto played host to the first ever regular season NFL game played in Canada with the Buffalo Bills hosting the Miami Dolphins. The NFL and Buffalo Bills experience returns to Toronto on December 3rd, 2009 with the Buffalo Bills hosting their long-time rivalry, the New York Jets.

What makes Toronto such a great city for sports? Let's start with Rogers Centre—a multi-purpose stadium situated next to the CN Tower near the shores of Lake Ontario. Home to Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays and the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, Rogers Centre was the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable motorized roof.

Rogers Centre includes other options for dining and hospitality, including:

• Renaissance Hotel: a 340-room hotel, which features 70 rooms overlooking the field
• Windows Restaurant: a 400 seat fine-dining restaurant overlooking the field
• Sightlines Club Restaurant: two-tiered, 280 seat restaurant overlooking the field
• Bistro: 210 seat restaurant overlooking the field
• The Hard Rock Café: overlooking the field, home to the world's largest electric guitar

In Toronto you have everything at your finger tips. Great hotels within walking distance of the stadium, incredible attractions like the CN Tower and Hockey Hall of Fame. Toronto's fabulous Entertainment District has whatever you're looking for, including clubs, restaurants and theatres, museums, shopping and art galleries.

The United Nations has named Toronto the most diverse city in the world. A transit token can take you from one country to another, passing through the quaint neighbourhoods that make up our intimate metropolis. Toronto's more than 7,000 restaurants reflect tastes, cultures and ingredients from around the world. From upscale to down home, you'll find dining experiences and culinary adventures to satisfy every taste.

A City for All Seasons

Situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is one of the southernmost cities in Canada - in fact, the latitude is very close to that of northern California. And while it does snow from time to time, you'll be amazed where you can get to on the PATH - Toronto's underground city. Named by the Guinness Book of Records as the "Biggest Underground Shopping Complex", with over ten kilometres of underground, indoor pedestrian walkways linking hotels, shopping, dining and major attractions. In fact, you can walk most of the way indoors from the Sheraton Hotel to Rogers Centre.

Top

From the world's tallest building to distinct multi-cultural neighbourhoods, you'll find lots to do in Toronto. Ready for some exercise – try renting ice-skates at Nathan Phillips Square. Tourism Toronto offers a comprehensive listing of attractions, events, museums, galleries, shopping and dining. Check out their online Visitors Guide at www.mytorontomeeting.com

Sightseeing, Tours, Tickets

To help you get the most out of your visit to Toronto, Toronto Tours (www.torontotours.com) operates friendly and courteous concierge desks at the Sheraton Centre and Westin Harbour Castle. Toronto Tours staff will be glad to answer any questions you might have about tours, restaurants, city attractions, shopping, and more. Visit the Toronto Tours concierge desk in the lobby for more information on:

• Tour and attraction tickets

• Restaurant recommendations and reservations

• City information and directions

• Shopping information

• Theatre tickets

• Car rentals

• Transportation

Top

Many people often wonder why Bowl games are important, why there are multiple bowl games, and why there isn't a playoff system like in other sports. Below are some answers:

• In the 2007 season, twenty-seven communities throughout the U.S. and Canada hosted thirty-two post-season college football bowl games. Some 6,400 student-athletes, 12,900 college band members, 1,200 cheerleaders, and about 1.6 million fans took part in the "college bowl experience."

• Bowl games have been a part of college football for ninety years. They have provided some of the greatest moments in college football history.

• The addition of the recent new bowl games has provided opportunities for more schools, communities and fans to participate in the unforgettable bowl experience.

• Bowl games bring a measure of importance to the regular season not seen in other sports. No other intercollegiate sport plays as few regular season games as football, and every game is critical.

• There are 32 college bowls that allow participation by 64 teams or nearly 50% of all the eligible schools. Players travel to interesting venues, take part in unique experiences, receive national exposure and are treated as if they are all national champions.

• Fans get to "vacation" with their favorite team in a fun and often unique destination. Universities have a focal point to rally their fans, and build relationships with alumni and supporters.

• With a playoff, virtually all of this is lost for all but a few teams. In addition, and maybe even more important to the overall game, the regular season would be undermined.

The bottom line is that bowl games are college football. The pageantry, tradition and excitement are unmistakable and irreplaceable.

Top

In addition to showcasing a great brand of football, the International Bowl has many objectives, such as:

• Showcasing the pageantry, excitement and atmosphere of NCAA Division I College Football;

• Drawing positive international attention to the City of Toronto to stimulate tourism during an historically low time of year for tourism;

• Generating a significant positive economic impact for the region; and

• Supporting worthy causes in the community.

Charitable Association

With respect to supporting worthy causes in the community, the International Bowl will be closely associated with one or more local charities. Details on these charitable associations will be posted here shortly.

Other Community Related Activities

The teams participating in the International Bowl would like to thank their host city by giving back to people in need within that community and spreading some holiday cheer. To that end, certain players and administrators from both teams will be lending a helping hand during bowl week. Details on these activities will be posted here shortly.

Top

The 2007, 2008, and 2009 International Bowls produced a substantial positive economic impact on the City of Toronto. During a traditionally slow tourism period, the International Bowl attracts thousands of fans from the U.S. and Southern Ontario to the City of Toronto.

Local hotels, restaurants and shops were the beneficiaries (not to mention government tax revenues). In addition, the City of Toronto also received significant national and international exposure with the game televised in Canada and on ESPN2 in the U.S.

As the International Bowl grows and expands, so too will the economic impact on the City of Toronto. We would like to say thanks to all those who attended the 2009 International Bowl and thanks in advance for the thousands who will attend the 2010 International Bowl.

We would like to say thanks to all those who attended the 2008 International Bowl and thanks in advance for the thousands who will attend the 2009 International Bowl.

Top