The weather in Toronto is warming up, just in time for thousands of passionate sports fans to join the now-traditional parties at Maple Leaf Square during the NHL and NBA playoffs.

Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment announced its plans for the square Wednesday, inviting fans to come down to watch the game on the big TV screen outside Scotiabank Arena with both the Maple Leafs and the Raptors making the post-season this spring.

It’s the third straight year both teams are in the playoffs in the same spring.

As in the past, the home team will get priority on the big screen if both clubs are playing at the same time. There will be smaller screens up to show the road game.

If both teams play on the same day but at different times, the square will transition from one party to the other.

The first party will take place Thursday night with the Maple Leafs in Boston at 7 p.m. to take on the Bruins in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarter-finals.

The Raptors first home game and opponent won’t be determined until after Wednesday night but they will open the playoffs at home, on either Saturday or Sunday. Fans call the square Jurassic Park when the Raptors play.

Fans at the party can win trips to road games and other prizes. To provide fans quicker service, kiosks serving beer, food and merchandise will be cashless.

The gates will open two hours in advance of the game, and fans enter from Lakeshore Blvd. W. and Bay St.

Maple Leaf Square will be closed to vehicle traffic for the duration of the playoffs. Bremner Blvd., between Maple Leaf Square and York St. will be closed on a game-by-game basis when a tailgate is being hosted. Residents will still have access to their parking garages.

Read more:

Fans of Leafs, TFC welcome at Raptors’ party

Why Jurassic Park is ground zero for Raptors fans

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Emerald Bensadoun is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @twerk_vonnegut

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