Prices are in CAD and do not include applicable tax (13% HST).

Payment Methods
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Cheque or e-Transfer.

Please note: Effective January 2026, a 2.4% surcharge applies to all credit card payments. No surcharge applies to non-credit card payment methods.

Paying by e-transfer
 e-Transfers are only available for Canadian events and residents, instructions will be included on the confirmation page through the registration system.

Introducing Event Guard
Offers your team peace of mind against the unknown. The rate for this event is $145 CAD plus applicable taxes and must be purchased when registering your team for the event. Cancellation or Postponement: If the event is cancelled or postponed more than 12 hours in advance of the scheduled first race, receive a full refund. Cancel for Any Reason: Cancel anytime up to 30 days in advance of the event for any reason and receive a full refund. For more information (i.e. refund policy, multi-event discount, etc), please visit our FAQ page.

Racing Divisions

• At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered. 
• To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.
• * 200M races: Time-permitting, top teams in each respective divisions and industry cup races will qualify for a 200M race, time permitting and based on overall number of teams registered.

DBC Race Series Event

We are pleased to announce we have been selected to be a Race Series Event.  DBC teams attending the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival will not only build eligibility for Club Crew Championships but will also earn points for each Race Series Event to be reflected on DBC’s Leaderboard.

Registration Add-Ons

Each team registered at the festival will get a 20 x 20 team site (footprint, not tent rental) within the Athletes’ Village. Teams have the option to bring their own tent or rent one from GWN. In addition to tents, chairs and tables are also available. For more information, please refer to the Athlete’s Village tab below. Teams may also order practice sessions, coaching, and race weekend coaches.

Address
The event will take place on Centre Island, the Toronto Islands.

Site Map
The 2026 TIDBRF Site Map will be posted approx. 1 week before the event.

Passenger Ferry to Centre Island
Please refer to the “Travel” section for further details.

Park Rules
We’re committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for participants and spectators. Before heading out to the races, there are some things you should know:

• Pets are welcome on the Toronto Islands but should be leashed at all times.
• No BBQ grills and/or cooking devices are allowed on park grounds.
• No bottled water will be sold or distributed under the Bottled Water Ban in City of Toronto parks.

Teams are responsible for picking up their waste within their team sites.  Teams will receive waste bags during check-in and there will be waste bins located throughout the Athletes’ Village.  Let’s all work together to keep the Toronto Islands clean and green.

Medical Services
Medical services and first aid will be available on site. If you’re in need of medical attention, please report to the medical tent for immediate assistance. Toronto Police officers will also be on-site patrolling the grounds.

Race Schedule
The race schedule will be posted on the Monday, June 8th.

Racing Divisions

• At least 3 teams must be registered in a division. Any division with less than 3 teams registered will be amalgamated into the next closest racing division offered. 
• To ensure races run smoothly, smaller divisions may be combined in heats but will race independently of each other.
• * 200M races: Time-permitting, top teams in each respective divisions and industry cup races will qualify for a 200M race, time permitting and based on overall number of teams registered.

Schedule Advancement
500m Races: For all crews, Saturday will consist of 2 x 500m time trials. These two races will seed teams into a 200m (Industry Cup or 200m final for qualifying teams) and 500m Semi-Final. The 500m Semi-Final will seed teams into a 500m Final. Semi-Finals and Finals are held on Sunday.

Junior Division: Final placement will be determined by combined times from all 3 races.

200m Races: Industry Cup, Mixed, Women’s and Open teams will qualify for a 200m race on Sunday morning, time permitting and based on final number of teams registered.

Industry Cup Races: To qualify for a Cup race, at least 70% of the crew must be part of the same company or industry. Exact industry cup races will be determined based on registered teams.

Race Marshalling
Marshalling for races will begin promptly half an hour before the first race of the day. Teams must be in the Marshalling area 30 minutes before their scheduled race throughout the day.

Race Day Check-In
Every Team Captain must check-in their team at Race Headquarters (located on the race site) on race day. Registration will be open at approximately 7:00AM. All waivers must be completed prior to check-in. Please visit the FAQ section for more information on how to check in on race day.

For a speedy check-in, ensure that all waivers for your team are completed. The electronic waiver deadline is 11:59AM EST on Wednesday, June 10th. Online access to waivers will be restricted after the deadline, after which only paper copies will be accepted on Saturday morning.

Team Captain’s Meeting
With ferry services to start at 8AM each day, to give everyone more time to travel to/and prepare for racing on Saturday morning, there will no Team Captain’s meeting on-site. Captain’s Meeting Notes will be included in the Festival Guide Newsletter to be sent out during race week.

Industry Cup Races
First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Consolation Finals
First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Grand Finals
Third and second-place teams will receive bronze and silver medals, respectively. First-place teams will receive a trophy and gold medals.

Awards Ceremonies
Ceremonies will take place after each Industry Cup, Consolation Race, and Grand Final Race. GWN Staff will gather the winning teams as they come off the water and will be directed to the Awards Area.

Awards Photo Wall
Winning teams are invited to capture the moment on race day at our featured MLDB photo wall, thanks to Showtime Photo Booth. Their memorable setups will add a fun, celebratory touch as you commemorate your race experience.

The Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival will feature music, demonstrations, and authentic Chinese cultural performances throughout the day. Stay tuned for the 2026 Schedule of Events.

Main Festival Marketplace

TBA

Interested in being a vendor? Email us at sales@gwnevents.com to find out more.

There are no public vehicles allowed on Toronto Island. There are various paid parking lots in the area surrounding the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

PASSENGER FERRY

Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3
(at the foot of Bay Street at Queens Quay)

Ferry Schedule

Ferry Schedule
On June 13th and 14th : Ferry service to Centre Island will begin at 8AM, 8:30AM, 9:00AM, and so on each day. We encourage participants to take one of the first 3 ferries of the day.

Alternatively, a special rate with Pirate Taxi has been set up once again, please see below for additional info.

Please click here for the full ferry service schedule.

Ferry Tickets
Ferry tickets should be purchased online and are valid from the date of purchase to the end of the calendar year and include the return trip. To check the ferry schedule and acquire tickets to get your team to Centre Island, click here**.

Pricing is subject to change, please refer to rates posted on Toronto Island Ferry Tickets website.

Purchasing 10 or more tickets will qualify your order for a 10% discount (please note for any group ticket purchases, all passengers must be present with the individual who purchased the tickets).

PIRATE TAXI WATER SERVICE

Special Rate for Participants
TIDBRF has once again partnered with Pirate Taxi who will be open for the Festival at 6:00AM on Saturday and Sunday. Paddlers, coaches, officials and volunteers pay only $10 (+GST) each way, with proof of your TIDBRF email, Pirate Taxi Booking confirmation email, or racing wristband.

Family & friends are welcome too — they pay the regular $13 (+GST) fare.

Payment Options: Pay by cash, debit, or credit at the dock.

Pirate Taxi strongly recommends booking a departure time, so we can be sure to have all the boats we need standing by to take you to Center Island. Priority boarding will be given to those with a reserved departure time.

Click Here to Book a Departure Time. 

• 235 Queens Quay West, on the boardwalk
• 375 Queens Quay West, beside HTO Park West, between Spadina and Rees

Looking to have some fun on the docks? GWN is always looking for fantastic volunteers.

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and fast-paced action that is dragon boat racing. You’ll also get to experience the energy and excitement of the festival event atmosphere and be a part of a vibrant community of dragon boat enthusiasts. Volunteers will be needed to help with various tasks in ensuring the safety and smooth operations of the event through the various outlined tasks:

• Boat Marshalls: Will be on the dock assisting paddlers with getting in and out of the boats. This position should be filled by people who are comfortable around the water.
• Results Runners: Will be posting the results from the Timing Officials at the Registration Headquarters. This position requires neat handwriting.
• Team Marshalls: Will assist the Marshalling Manager in ensuring that all teams are ready to load into boats at the correct time to maintain smooth running of the races.
• Crowd Control: Will ensure one-way flow traffic from the Marshalling Area after boats are unloaded.

If you would like to volunteer, we can promise some food, drinks, a really cool shirt, and community service hours (if applicable). Please contact us at volunteers@gwnevents.com.

Check out past event results.

2025

2024

2023