‍TORONTO, Ont. (June 24, 2022) – Canada Basketball and Raptors Uprising GC, NBA 2K League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, announced today a partnership between the two organizations to celebrate the intersection of gaming and basketball with a focus around the inaugural GLOBL JAM.

Set to take place in Toronto from July 5-10, GLOBL JAM will shine the international spotlight on the game’s rising stars and feature women’s and men’s teams from around the world competing in an Under-23 tournament live at Mattamy Athletic Centre and broadcast nationally on Sportsnet. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster starting as low as $47.

In partnership with Canada Basketball and Kids Up Front, an organization which distributes tickets to arts, culture and sporting events to deserving kids and their families, Raptors Uprising GC has committed to sending hundreds of local youth from basketball clubs across the GTA to games throughout the GLOBL JAM FIVES tournament.

“The esports industry continues to grow with a global audience of all ages and Raptors Uprising has tapped into a fanbase dedicated to watching our team compete in the NBA 2K League,” said Sumit Arora, VP, Strategy, Analytics and Esports at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). “We are thrilled to partner with Canada Basketball and share our passion for the game during their inaugural GLOBL JAM tournament.”

Additionally, members of Raptors Uprising GC will participate in the GLOBL JAM FESTIVAL, which will take over Yonge-Dundas Square July 8-10 and celebrate the intersection of sport, art, and culture with a 3x3 community court, vendor market, food trucks, music and more.

“As a sport in Canada, basketball continues to experience unprecedented growth from a participation perspective,” said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO of Canada Basketball.  “However, the significant impact that NBA 2K and gaming has on the popularity of the sport cannot be underestimated. Partnering with Raptors Uprising GC around GLOBL JAM is a great first step for both organizations as we look to bring basketball to a new generation of fans across the country.” 

Over the next two weeks, Raptors Uprising GC and Canada Basketball will give away tickets, prize packs and more in the lead-up to the tip-off of GLOBL JAM on July 5. Be sure to follow both @raptorsgc and @canadabasketball for your chance to win.

Raptors Uprising will also look to host members of Team Canada at the team’s new home, Bell Gaming Centre, located on the Exhibition Grounds directly next to Coca-Cola Coliseum.  Developed by MLSE Digital Labs, the new state-of-the-art facility is used for competing in NBA 2K League, streaming content and training.

Founded in 2018 when the NBA 2K League launched, Raptors Uprising had a record-breaking 2020 campaign that included the franchise winning back-to-back tournament banners (THE TIPOFF and THE TURN powered by AT&T) and the NBA 2K League’s only undefeated regular season (16-0) in their four-year history.

For additional information on the inaugural GLOBL JAM, visit globljam.ca.