Toronto restaurants expect a major business boost as World Series comes to town

The 2025 World Series lands in Toronto this Friday as the Blue Jays host the L.A. Dodgers at the Rogers Centre for Games 1 and 2, but the players won't be the only ones who could come out as winners.

It's been one home run of a baseball season so far this year, with Toronto's underdog team managing to secure their first World Series appearance since 1993. The team itself has plenty to celebrate, but so do Toronto's restaurants.

According to data from Moneris, restaurants near the Rogers Centre saw significant increases in both transaction volume and size game-over-game during the ALDS: a trend that's likely to only increase as the city plays host to baseball's biggest stage.

During Game 1, a home game, of the last series, Moneris reports that dining destinations around the Rogers Centre saw a 6 per cent increase in transaction volume, coupled with a 1 per cent increase in transaction size. For game two, the transaction volume increased to 11 per cent.

Home games aren't the only time when the city's restaurants saw a boost in business during the ALDS, though. For game four, played in New York, the same restaurants saw a whopping 15 per cent increase in transaction volume and an 11 per cent increase in transaction size.

Catherine Oppedisano, Vice President of Marketing at Steam Whistle Brewing, tells blogTO that the beer company's restaurant and taproom, located just a stone's throw from the Rogers Centre, has "absolutely" seen a boost during the Blue Jays postseason.

"Steam Whistle is lucky to be right across the street from the Dome, so whether the Jays are home or away, Steam Whistle has become a go-to spot for fans," she says, adding that, "Beer and baseball just go together, and this playoff run has brought a big boost in visitors."

According to Oppedisano, during the regular season and postseason alike, home games bring out the largest restaurant crowds; however, Steam Whistle has begun to see a far larger turnout than usual for away games during the playoffs.

Compared to an average October, Oppedisano estimates that Steam Whistle has seen a nearly 50 per cent increase in customer volume thanks to the playoffs.

"This will be one of the strongest Octobers we've ever had at the Roundhouse," she tells blogTO. "The endless patio weather is helpful, but  we can thank fans for nearly all of this upside."

As for the upcoming World Series, Oppedisano predicts that sales will only continue to climb.

"The energy in the city is incredible, and with tickets getting even harder to come by, fans are looking for that crowd experience, we are lucky to have the space to host them and share in the excitement together."

Restaurants aren't the only businesses getting a welcome kick thanks to the Blue Jays' postseason.

Tech company Square reports that, at retailers across the city, Jays merchandise sales increased by 15 per cent in August of 2025 and 16 per cent in September compared to the previous year