What sports facilities and youth leagues does Markham offer?Markham is a strong choice for sports families. The Markham Pan Am Centre at 16 Main Street Unionville, built for the 2015 Pan Am Games, has a 50-metre, 10-lane pool and a gymnasium with 15 badminton, 7 volleyball and 3 basketball courts. Arenas at community centres such as Angus Glen and Centennial host hockey and skating, and the city has long-running clubs in hockey, ringette, baseball, soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, rugby, tennis and cricket. Registration often opens months ahead, so plan early, and check commute times to the facilities your children will use most.
For many Markham families, weekends revolve around early-morning practices, tournaments and swim meets. The city’s facilities and clubs make it possible to pursue almost any sport close to home, from house league to high-performance training.
Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, often helps sports families weigh how close a home is to the pool, arena or field they will drive to several times a week.
The Markham Pan Am Centre
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 16 Main Street Unionville |
| Pool | 50 metres, 10 lanes, 2.5 metres deep, with a moveable floor and bulkheads |
| Gymnasium | More than 36,000 square feet: 15 badminton, 7 volleyball and 3 basketball courts, plus a warm-up hall |
| Fitness | A two-level, 5,000-square-foot fitness centre |
| 2015 Pan Am Games | Hosted water polo, badminton and table tennis |
| Since opening in 2014 | About 500 events and 1.6 million visitors, according to the centre |
Details from the Markham Pan Am Centre and the Canadian Olympic Committee, as of October 12, 2026.
What the Pan Am legacy means for local families
A competition-grade pool and courts in the middle of the city mean local swimmers, water polo players, badminton players and volleyball teams can train and compete without long drives. The centre also hosts regional and national events, which brings visiting teams to Markham Centre’s hotels and restaurants. For everyday programs, it offers public swims and drop-in sports alongside club rentals.
Hockey, ringette and skating
Markham’s arenas are busy from early fall to spring. The Angus Glen Community Centre at 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East and the Centennial Community Centre, long home to junior hockey, are two of the best known. Local organizations include:
- Markham Waxers minor hockey, which plays in the Eastern AAA league
- Markham Majors and Markham Islanders in the Greater Toronto Hockey League
- Markham Stouffville Stars girls’ hockey
- Markham Bears ringette
Club names, divisions and leagues change over time, so check each organization’s current programs.
Looking for a home close to the arena or pool?
Michael John Lau can help you shortlist homes by distance to the facilities and schools your family uses most.
Book a buyer consultationSearch Markham homesPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Soccer, baseball and field sports
| Sport | Local clubs |
|---|---|
| Soccer | Markham Lightning Soccer Club, Unionville Milliken Soccer Club, Thornhill Thunder Soccer Club |
| Baseball and softball | Markham Mariners, Markham District Baseball Association, Thornhill Baseball Club, Unionville Spartans softball |
| Football | Markham Raiders minor football |
| Lacrosse | Markham Thunder minor lacrosse |
| Rugby | Markham Irish Canadian Rugby Club, Markham Rugby Club |
| Cricket | Markham Cricket Club |
Basketball, tennis and more
Basketball families often look at MUMBA, the Markham-Unionville Minor Basketball Association. Tennis players can choose from several community clubs, including the Markham Tennis Club, which has played since about 1968 and has six hard courts in Reesor Park, as well as the Unionville and Armadale tennis clubs. Markham also has a lawn bowling club, an aquatic club and the Unionville Curling Club. For the city’s recreation centres, see Markham’s best community centres and arenas.
Golf in and around Markham
Markham has an unusual number of golf courses for a city of its size. Angus Glen Golf Club opened in 1995 and hosted the Canadian Open in 2002 and 2007. Markham Green Golf Club and Remington Parkview Golf Club both opened in 1997 on the former IBM golf course, and the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto, dating to 1924 and designed by Stanley Thompson, is often described as North America’s only women’s golf course. Junior programs at several clubs introduce young players to the game each summer.
Adult sports and staying active
Sports life does not stop at youth leagues. Adults join slo-pitch leagues in Markham, Unionville and Thornhill, men’s recreational hockey, community tennis clubs and drop-in badminton and volleyball at the Pan Am Centre. Many parents find that their own social circle grows around the rink or the soccer field, which is one reason sports-focused families tend to settle in for the long term.
Choosing a home as a sports family
- Map the facilities you will use most: pool, arena, fields or courts.
- Test the drive at the times you will travel, such as 6 a.m. weekdays or Saturday mornings.
- Look for storage: a garage or basement for hockey bags and equipment.
- Check school programs, since some Markham high schools have sport-focused options.
- Consider parks and outdoor courts within walking distance for extra practice.
Registration tips
Popular programs fill quickly. Many clubs open registration months ahead of each season, and City programs have set registration dates. Join club mailing lists, note tryout dates for rep teams, and ask about financial help. York Region offers recreation subsidies for eligible families. Ultimately, the decision about where to live is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information.
For sports families, the right home can save hours of driving every week. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is at the Markham Pan Am Centre?
It has a 50-metre, 10-lane pool, a gymnasium with 15 badminton, 7 volleyball and 3 basketball courts, a warm-up hall and a two-level fitness centre.
Where is the Markham Pan Am Centre?
It is at 16 Main Street Unionville in Markham Centre.
What sports were held at the Markham Pan Am Centre in 2015?
During the 2015 Pan Am Games, it hosted water polo, badminton and table tennis.
What minor hockey options are in Markham?
Options include the Markham Waxers in the Eastern AAA league, the Markham Majors and Islanders in the GTHL, and the Markham Stouffville Stars for girls.
What soccer clubs are in Markham?
Local clubs include Markham Lightning Soccer Club, Unionville Milliken Soccer Club and Thornhill Thunder Soccer Club.
Is there financial help for youth sports in Markham?
York Region offers recreation subsidies for eligible families, and many clubs have their own assistance programs. Ask when you register.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. Licence #4784577. Call (647) 370-8885. Pan Am Centre details are from the Markham Pan Am Centre and the Canadian Olympic Committee. Club information is from public sources including Wikipedia’s Sports in Markham article and Ontario Tennis, as available on October 12, 2026. Programs and leagues change, so confirm with each organization. This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
