Airsoft and milsim events in Southern Ontario have a special place in my heart. It is one of my favourite hobbies and I try to get out to play at least three times a year at major events. Most of my tactical gear purchases revolve around these events and I make a conscious effort to support local businesses. As I reflect on what the 2025 season will look like, I decided to write up my observations on various fields, venues and hosts in Southern Ontario.  The intent is to show the nostalgic experiences I have had over the years and to give insight as to what there is to offer in Ontario for airsoft and milsim as well to show people outside of Southern Ontario what our community is like.  At the end of the post, I have included a list of venues and hosts that I have experienced over the past years.

I first got into airsoft in late 2016. My then girlfriend (now wife) bought me a glock 17 airsoft pistol for Christmas. That single gift sent me spiraling into the world of tactical nylon, magazine pouches and other gear. The next day I attended Toronto Airsoft on boxing day to purchase an airsoft rifle so I could go play. To my luck, I won the generous door prize – a Krytac SPR MK2! I felt bad, I was amongst other grown men and teenagers in line to try their luck. I think someone behind me got a lesson of how unfair life can be when they found out I didn’t even know what it was.

I immediately brought it over to my friend’s house who I remembered played airsoft and his dad saw me come in with airsoft gun in tow. He shook his head in disappointment. I told him I won it and it was free. He sighed and said “You think you won, but really this is how they get you, have you looked at our basement, it is filled with airsoft, my son has spent thousands of dollars on this and you will too.” He was right.

Throughout the years, I have played casual pick up games at various local indoor fields and more serious events across Ontario at outdoor venues.

Indoor venues are great for quick games and community building. Notably amongst my most treasured indoor airsoft experiences were at the Toronto Tactical Action Close Combat College (TTAC3). It has since closed but TTAC3 was amongst the best of places for instruction, short scenarios and application of force on force concepts for airsoft in Toronto. Some nights would have some theory, flat range type drills and then a little bit of force on force and functioned liked a class. Other nights would be completely scenario based like cave fighting reminiscent of early GWOT things or scenarios that simulate altercations. They would have plywood panels that could be deployed in different configurations to represent different angles.  One of the best things about it was that when you left, you had a lot of concepts and mistakes to go home and think about. It might not have been meant to be, but it retrospectively turned out to also be a sort of leadership school for the airsoft community in the GTA. It has since closed but the legacy lives on amongst the students and players informally imparting knowledge and experiences with others. 

 

(Various Pictures from TTAC3 in Toronto that has since closed circa 2017ish – Photo Credit: TTAC3 Archives)

There are quite a few outdoor fields across Ontario but I have not been to all of them. Most of my experiences have been in southern Ontario. There are several fields that are regularly open and offer a place for people to play outdoors. The games are usually informal and are similar to the games at indoor fields.

There are also places that are “venues” or locations that are not purpose built for airsoft but nonetheless host larger organized airsoft events and milsims. We have lost a few of these over the years like the College, PRZ, Devil Dog Airsoft, and Finch’s field but many more remain. They typically exist due to the event host’s relationship with the land owner. You will typically find milsim events at these non-purpose built venues. It should be noted that sometimes the vocabulary of event hosts and venues are used interchangeably but we are only referring to the locations when we mean venues.  These venues typically have annual reoccurring games annual like Green Mile, Narco State, Nightfall, No Nods, Dead Fall etc. 

Venues and our notes

The Compound – This is a large field that opened a few years ago. The owner has made a strong statement in supporting airsoft in Ontario by buying this land and offering it up as a place to play.  I believe it is the same owners/partial owners of the Action Air. It features trails and off trail play areas as well as a circuit at the center of the field with a mock town and buildings made for airsoft play. A lot of large games are now played here and it has helped to fill the vacuum of the closing of PRZ.

Siege Airsoft – This was an indoor field in Toronto. It was an important part of the Ontario airsoft community, they produced good content and provided great pickup games. Sadly it closed down due to rise in rent and uncertainty for the future of airsoft in Canada. It had different types of players and cliques but was generally family friendly. It had a very good calendar of events planned in advance.

Ultimate Airsoft – An indoor field in North York, I have played there a few times. I think this may have been the first place I played at. Players there were generally friendly with some exceptions. It is probably the most central place to play in Toronto right now. Would love to see more scenario nights.

Longstone Field – A small outdoor field in Milton, Ontario. I have played here a few times and did some work ups for some more serious events. I have not met the owner but they generously allowed event hosts to use the land to play and train. It features a large open field for parking/ranging in and some forest and trails to play in.

Magnus Field – A property in East Gwillimbury. The owner is a nice guy and active in the community. To my knowledge, the property does not host large games or regular games. But I have attended on a few occasions by invitation for some training. I have also done one milsim here. The host is really nice and supportive of the airsoft community. There are some residential buildings that are generally out of play. There is a lot of poison ivy here. I would love to see some season openers or gear shake out events here.

Action Airsoft Club – A indoor venue in Mississauga. I believe it is the same owners as The Compound (or at least some of them). It has filled a part of the vacuum Siege has left. They have pick up / walk on games and some ad hoc scenario nights. There is family friendly fun to be had here.

PRZ – This was the outdoor / large game venue. I think it used to be an asylum? The largest milsims like Nightfall were hosted here annually. It has since shut down airsoft operations as I think the land will be used for something else or sold. Lots of memories here. They had a good mix of serious milsim games and less formal ones. 

Wasaga Adventure Park  – An outdoor field in Wasaga. It features various props and play areas made for airsoft. I have played a few smaller milsims here. The field has good fluctuation in elevation to make for exciting game play. 

Finch’s Field – This was an outdoor field that would open for events a few times a year. It has since stopped offering itself for airsoft play. It featured forests, trails and some interesting elevations. Some of my most treasured memories were here playing NO NODs years ago, wandering around the forest at night with friends.

Devil Dog Airsoft – A field in Kitchener/Waterloo area that offered airsoft play. I don’t think I played a game here but I have attended for various night vision and airsoft training events that the owner and game hosts were able to organize. 

Petawawa Airsoft – The have skirmish games here and scenario/ organized play here and is a purpose built field. I haven’t been there but have seen it pop up on my radar. I would consider going to a larger game here.

Clarington Woods – Outdoor field with lots of events located in Clarington. I have been here a few times and would be where I would go for outdoor skirmish play given its proximity to the GTA.

Select Paintball/Airsoft North Bay – I have been here twice to play. The hosts are very friendly and work hard to offer a family friendly environment for players. The hosts appear to be well liked in their community and I felt they feel strongly about making sure everyone is having a good time. They seem to be conscious of the wide age range of players and take steps to make sure the fun is good and clean.

Angry Loner Ranch – I love this place. There are a few smaller and serious milsims that are played here. Deadfall is often hosted here. The events held there are adequately paced and are not as guided as other events. It is generally big boy rules and a close knit community where rules or limitations can get set to enhance gameplay. The venue isn’t a airsoft “field” but rather a recreational property that the owner allows airsoft to be played there from time to time. The owner is a mentor to many players in southern Ontario and provides a great environment for the community. The venue and the opportunities the owner has provided has had a major impact on the character building of a lot of the players and role models in the community.  I have done some of my best soul searching here chatting with friends and decompressing after a game. The property is also used for Second World War reenactment.  The host even generously let us have a bachelor party there where we got to enjoy some shenanigans. 

Event Hosts for Airsoft and Milsim in Southern Ontario

Black Cell Productions – They put on a few annual games and events. They have been doing this longer than I have been playing airsoft. Some of their events are organized crime vs law enforcement themed and as such have produced some interesting gameplay dynamics. I also have some treasured memories with the organizers playing at games hosted by other hosts.

OP4S – The event host is well experienced in producing milsim games in southern Ontario and has a good understanding of what types of experience milsim players want.  They run reoccurring games like Green Mile, Pathfinder, No Nods and have access to some fields others do not. A lot of their games were played at Finch’s field but now are mainly in Fenelon Falls(Burnt River)/Compound.

Force Recon – They host the largest milsim (NightFall) in Ontario and probably Canada annually. Their events are generally big budget and draws a good crowd. I feel like there are some people in the community I only get to catch up with at Night Fall as people come from far and wide to play. The game mechanics make it more game-like than serious scenario based milsims but their events are really important for community building. They also offer their annual game Day Break. I had the pleasure to play NightFall for a few years and as OPFOR for a few years.

Battle Dwarf Productions – A newer host over the last few years offering milsims. I have been meaning to get out to more of their games, but it often conflicts with other obligations I have. 

Lightfighters Milsim Productions – I think their reoccuring game is Gun Runners. I have not had a chance to play but I have been eagerly waiting for my schedule to permit me to attend one of their games.

Nipissing Airsoft / Worst Case Airsoft – These guys run a wide range of events and are located in North Bay and further south. This year is their second annual Under No Flag game.  I have gone to a few of their events and food bank drives. They are pretty friendly and are generally good rolemodels for younger players.  I might mixing up the two but I think in spirit they are the same.  Their games can be more casual milsim experiences and are well run and organized. They also organized a food drive for a local food bank as a part of one of their games.  

Blackline Simulations – They run high quality, big budget, tactical espionage/milsim experiences. Their build quality and production is very good and has a lot of high quality props and ambiance. The setting, briefings, events, intelligence profiles are all very detailed and immersive. Over the last few years they have opened the doors to the public to attend their events. These events are not like any other events and generally encourage team work, planning and intelligence gathering. I have had the pleasure of attending these events starting from 2017. There is a culture of mystery around these types of events and it is all well and part of the fun. If you are the type of person who is accused of taking airsoft too seriously, their events might be for you as you may be surrounded by like minds.

Final Thoughts

I wrote this article while I was looking ahead to the 2025 season. After writing the bulk of the items above, I wanted to reflect on the state of the airsoft community. Airsoft is still going strong in Ontario in 2024/2025. 

The uncertainties caused by bill C-21 has made many stakeholders rethink their interest. It is understandably difficult to stake your livelihood on uncertainties. As a community, we need to show them our support as much as possible. Go and visit your local fields, stores and vendors. Represent the community by showing and demonstrating good behaviour. Clean up after yourself and others if necessary when at venues. Value what we have and enjoy it. 

I am sure I have missed venues / hosts and the above is not an exhaustive list but just a list of places I have experiences with that have come to mind.

Let me know if I have missed any.