Sports

Vieauqc TeamYesterdayMontreal

Sports

Getting active on a budget: sports and recreation for newcomers

Pools, rinks, fields and municipal classes: affordable ways to get active in Montreal.

Getting active in Montreal doesn't have to be expensive: the City offers a vast network of facilities and activities at affordable prices, often free. It's one of the best ways to stay fit and meet people when you've just arrived. What's on offer. The City of Montreal's Sports and Recreation portal brings together indoor and outdoor pools, skating rinks, arenas, sports fields, plus classes and workshops in community centres. You'll also find facility schedules and winter rink conditions there. Registering. The Loisirs Montréal platform lets you register for a sports activity or book a field. Good to know: you need a valid library card, recreation card, or membership to sign up, and you must be 14 or older to use the service or create a family file. The library card is free for residents. Watching sports too. Beyond playing, Montreal has an affordable spectator scene. The Montreal Alouettes, the city's Canadian football team, play at Percival Molson Stadium on the flank of Mount Royal; their summer season is underway, and the official schedule lists upcoming home games. Canadian football tickets are among the most accessible in pro sports. Good to know for newcomers. A swimming class, a recreational soccer league, or an open-skate evening are all chances to socialize without much expense or perfect language skills. Check with your borough (arrondissement): each has its own…

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Vieauqc TeamYesterdayMontreal

Sports

Catching a CF Montréal match at Stade Saputo

Soccer season is in full swing: here's how a newcomer can catch CF Montréal this summer.

CF Montréal, the city's Major League Soccer (MLS) team, plays its home games at Stade Saputo, in the east end of Montreal near the Olympic Park. The season is well underway: the official 2026 schedule runs from February to November, with 17 home matches spread across the summer and fall. The schedule. Rather than aiming for a single date, check the match schedule to pick an evening that works for you. Several summer fixtures are still ahead at Stade Saputo, including a match against Inter Miami CF on July 25 and a meeting with the LA Galaxy in August. Exact times and opponents are listed on the official page. Tickets. Single-match tickets are sold for every home game through the official CF Montréal box office. For regular fans, a season membership offers the best price per match — starting at around $27 plus tax per game according to the club. Check the official box office for current rates before buying, as they vary by section and opponent. Getting there. Stade Saputo is served by the metro, Viau station (green line), a few minutes' walk away. It's the same area as the Olympic Stadium and the Botanical Garden — easy to pair with an end-of-day outing. Good to know for newcomers. A soccer match is an affordable, accessible outing to get a feel for Montreal's sports atmosphere, even without fluent French or English. The mood is family-friendly, the supporters' sections are…

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Vieauqc TeamYesterdayMontreal

Sports

Following the Canadiens: hockey, Quebec's religion

Understanding Quebec's hockey culture and how to follow or watch the Montreal Canadiens.

In Quebec, hockey isn't just a sport: it's a collective ritual. The Montreal Canadiens — nicknamed the Tricolore, the CH, or the Habs — are one of the oldest and most decorated teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). Understanding hockey means understanding a big part of the winter conversations here. Where they play. The Canadiens play their home games at the Bell Centre, in downtown Montreal, the largest hockey arena in North America. The NHL regular season usually runs from October to April; the 2026-27 season begins in the fall. The official schedule is posted on the Canadiens' site. Tickets. Tickets are sold through the official Canadiens box office and Ticketmaster. Prices vary widely by opponent and section — rivalry games are the priciest. Check the official box office for current availability and rates. Watching without going to the arena. You don't need a ticket to experience hockey. Games are broadcast on TV, and many Quebecers watch them in sports bars and neighbourhood pubs. It's a great chance to socialize: a Canadiens game is a neutral, universal conversation topic no matter where you're from. Good to know for newcomers. You don't need to know the rules by heart to take part. Learn a few players' names, wear blue-white-red on game night, and you'll have plenty to strike up a conversation with coworkers or neighbours. Hockey is often the first social…

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