Kyle Lowry Day Declared in Toronto, Raptors will Retire #7

As Mayor Olivia Chow declared July 7, 2026, as Kyle Lowry Day, the Toronto Raptors announced they will retire Lowry’s No. 7 during the 2026-27 NBA Season; during a September weekend of events announced to honor the GROAT (Greatest Raptor Of All Time).

After 20 NBA seasons, six All-Star appearances, an Olympic gold medal and the 2019 NBA Championship, Kyle Lowry has signed a one-day contract on Tuesday July 7, 2026 with the Toronto Raptors and announced his retirement from professional basketball — ending his career in the city where he grew into the greatest player in franchise history and helped raise the team’s first championship banner. 

 “This is home, and Toronto will always be home. Together we built something special here, and together we became champions,” Lowry said. “I always said I would retire as a Raptor, and to be able to do that today means everything to me.”

Kyle Lowry Day

Meanwhile, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow took to social media to post the City of Toronto’s official proclamation of Kyle Lowry.

“Known to many fans as the GROAT, Greatest Raptor of All Time, Kyle Lowry holds a special place in Toronto’s history. On Kyle Lowry Day, we thank him for the years he gave to the Raptors, the memories he created for the fans and the role he played in the growth of basketball in Toronto and across Canada,” reads the proclamation from Mayor Olivia Chow.

Chow goes on to say that “Kyle Lowry holds a special place in Toronto’s story.”

“As he returns to retire as a Toronto Raptor, Toronto takes great pride in recognizing his career and the place he holds in our city’s story,” reads the proclamation, below:

No. 7 to be Retired by Toronto Raptors

The team announced Tuesday that his No. 7 will be retired – becoming only the second number in Raptors history to be so honoured, alongside Vince Carter’s No. 15.

“Kyle is the Toronto Raptors – he created an identity for the Raptors that we strive to uphold every time we take the floor, play hard and play to win, for your teammates, for Toronto and for Canada. Put your body on the line. Take a charge, dive for a loose ball – do all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score, but add up to a storied, celebrated career,” Raptors general manager and executive vice-president Bobby Webster said. “Kyle was the ultimate competitor whose No. 7 will always be remembered with the Raptors very first championship, and it’s our honour to raise it to the rafters, where it belongs.”

   As Lowry signed the contract on the practice court at OVO Athletic Centre, the Raptors announced a weekend slate of events to celebrate his career and his connection with the city of Toronto later this summer:

• The KLow Invitational: On Friday, Sept. 18, the Raptors and MLSE Foundation will host a charity golf tournament, bringing together friends, former teammates, partners and guests for a day of Lowry’s second-favourite sport. Proceeds will benefit one of the foundation’s youth initiatives selected by Kyle and Ayahna Lowry to help create opportunities for the next generation.
• Kyle’s Block Party: The celebration comes downtown Saturday, Sept. 19 with a daytime party dedicated to the fans – the people who were there for every step of the journey. Through highlights, activations, merchandise, and special appearances, we will come together to celebrate, relive unforgettable moments, and create new memories. Free passes will be made available through Raptors Fan Access at a later date.
• A Night For Seven: The party wraps up on Saturday night with an elevated celebration. The gala will feature entertainment, storytelling, and fundraising for MLSE Foundation, all in honour of the GROAT and the impact he continues to have on Toronto and beyond.

The charitable initiatives funded through these events will be announced throughout the 2026-27 season, creating new opportunities for the Lowry family to serve and impact Toronto’s youth and communities. And the celebration will continue at Scotiabank Arena through the season, as the Raptors hold three theme nights, focused on Lowry and his contributions to the team and the sport. These marquee games will feature dedicated, Lowry-themed in arena programming, special guest appearances, collectible merchandise, giveaways and more.

And finally, at a date to be determined – and which will be announced when the NBA schedule is released – the Raptors will retire Lowry’s No. 7 jersey. It will hang in the rafters at Scotiabank Arena, alongside the 2019 NBA Champions banner he and his teammates brought to the city.

Lowry is widely regarded as the greatest Toronto Raptor of all time, playing a pivotal role in transforming the franchise into a perennial contender. His leadership, toughness, and competitive spirit defined the most successful era in Raptors history.

During his nine seasons in Toronto, Lowry led the Raptors to seven consecutive playoff appearances (2013–19), two Eastern Conference Finals, and the franchise’s first NBA Championship in 2019. A six-time NBA All-Star and 2015–16 All-NBA Third Team selection, he was the driving force behind the team’s sustained success and rise to prominence.

He remains the Raptors’ all-time leader in assists (4,277), steals (873), and three-point field goals made (1,518). He also ranks second in franchise history in points scored (10,540) and games played (601), while sitting fourth in rebounds (2,954).

Over a distinguished 20-season NBA career, Lowry’s impact extended far beyond the box score. He helped establish a culture of accountability, resilience, and winning that continues to shape the organization today. Through his accomplishments on the court and his influence off it, Lowry has cemented his legacy as one of the most important figures in Raptors history and one of Toronto’s most celebrated athletes.

Images and news release notes supplied by Toronto Raptors