Canadian Weekly Roundup: Smash Tournaments, Burger News, and Grand Slam Breakthroughs
TORONTO, January 29 2026 – The past seven days have seen significant activity across Canadian gaming, food, and sports scenes. From major Super Smash Bros. tournaments concluding on the East Coast to a Toronto culinary staple announcing its closure and a Canadian teenager making waves at the Australian Open, here is a breakdown of the key developments.
Esports: Major Smash Bros. Events Conclude
Several high-profile Super Smash Bros. tournaments wrapped up across North America in the last week. Let’s Make BIG Moves 2026, a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate supermajor, was held in New York City from January 23 to 25. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the Pataka Esports Festival 2026 took place in Surrey, British Columbia, on January 17-18, featuring competitions for both Melee and Ultimate. In New Jersey, the invitational Vars Ultimate Summit 1, organized by a popular YouTuber, concluded on January 22. For those looking to compete, the website BC Smash remains a daily-updated resource for upcoming tournaments in Metro Vancouver.
Food & Dining: A Toronto Favourite Says Goodbye
Toronto’s culinary landscape is set to change as Big Trouble Pizza, a beloved establishment known for its smash burgers and signature pizzas, will serve its last slice on January 31. After eight years in business, the restaurant is closing to prepare for a new project. For smash burger enthusiasts still seeking a fix, establishments like Sash Restaurant, Grace O’Malley’s, and Champ Burger continue to offer variations on the popular style. Holy Shakes in Mississauga also receives positive mentions for its “smash box” offering.
Tennis: Mboko’s Historic Australian Open Debut
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko captured national attention with a breakthrough performance at the Australian Open. On her debut at the tournament, she battled into the fourth round, setting a new personal best at a Grand Slam. Her run was ended by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Off the court, Mboko’s rising profile was confirmed with the announcement of a new sponsorship deal with Rolex. In other Canadian tennis news, Nadia Lagaev achieved her best Grand Slam result so far by reaching the third round of the Australian Open junior girls’ singles event.
Key Facts & Recent Results
| Event | Details & Result |
|---|---|
| Let’s Make BIG Moves 2026 | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate supermajor in New York, NY. Held January 23-25, 2026. |
| Pataka Esports Festival 2026 | Smash Bros. tournament in Surrey, BC. Featured Melee & Ultimate. Held January 17-18, 2026. |
| Big Trouble Pizza Closure | Toronto restaurant closing on January 31, 2026, after eight years. |
| Victoria Mboko (AUS Open) | Reached 4th Round on debut, a new Grand Slam best. Eliminated by Sabalenka. Signed sponsorship with Rolex. |
| Nadia Lagaev (AUS Open Juniors) | Canadian reached the 3rd round, her best result at a Grand Slam junior event. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find upcoming Smash Bros. tournaments in British Columbia?
The website BC Smash (bcsmash.ca) is updated daily and lists upcoming tournaments in Metro Vancouver, providing direct links to their official event pages.
Is Big Trouble Pizza in Toronto permanently closed?
It will close permanently on January 31, 2026. The owners have indicated they are preparing for a new project, but details have not been announced.
What was Victoria Mboko’s result at the 2026 Australian Open?
The 19-year-old Canadian made a historic debut, winning three matches to reach the fourth round before losing to the eventual champion and world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka. This was her best performance at a Grand Slam to date.