Montréal is a city known for sports. We have hosted the world’s largest sporting event (the summer Olympics). We have a massively successful hockey team (go Habs!). We host annual events that attract visitors from all over the world (such as the Canada Masters tennis tournament and the F1 Canadian Grand Prix). And we’re also a hotbed for urban sports.
What are urban sports?
Essentially, urban sports are sports that are performed in urban settings. For instance, downhill skiing and golf — in their traditional forms — would not be considered urban sports. But activities such as skateboarding, parkour, and bouldering were born and developed in city environments, and are still performed mostly in urban centres today.
A growing scene worldwide
There are millions of new urban athletes in North America. In the past few years, skateboard sales across the world have reached an all-time high. People are also flocking to climbing gyms. Both skateboarding and climbing made their debut at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and will be a part of Los Angeles (2028).
Montréal’s urban sports street cred
The city has a vibrant outdoor sports scene on both the amateur and the pro front. For over a decade, Montréal has been producing and hosting some of the world’s preeminent urban sports events (see below). But that’s not all — we also have some noteworthy claims to fame.
- A blend of extreme urban activities, the thrilling Jackalope is the largest action sports event in Canada held each August at the legendary Parc Olympique. Featuring bouldering, Jackalope is also the only Canadian stop on the World Cup skateboard circuit. Beloved by adrenaline junkies young and old, Jackalope’s nail-biting action leaves everyone on the edge of their seats.
- The Vans Skatepark is the first permanent skateboard facility to be installed at an existing Olympic site.
- The clothing brand Dime — born right here in Montréal — is one of the most prominent urban sports brands, and consolidates fashion and skate brilliantly.
- Empire is another local skate brand that’s world famous, partly for its recurring global snowboarding competition featuring pro competitions as well as demos, where the world’s best demonstrate their skills.
- Montréal has one of the top 10 ranked roller derby teams in the world and has been known to host the biggest battle for the title in the International Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, or WFTDA.
- The Allez-Up climbing center is an architectural icon and the largest climbing gym in Canada.
- As of the spring of 2025, Montréal Bungee will be offering the highest urban jump in Canada, at 210 feet. Thrill-seekers will be welcomed on the Quai des Convoyeurs from morning to night, 7 days a week.
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