As the seasons change, so does Toronto's sports scene. From hockey to basketball to baseball and everything in between, Toronto's sports teams have built great empires for themselves, raking in millions of dollars every season.

This summer saw the city host the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, bringing an influx of tourists, but also drawing locals to rediscover their city. And when the Games ended, Torontonians rediscovered the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays, who recently clinched a spot in the MLB playoffs for the first time in 22 years.

How has tourism been affected by these sporting events? Let's take a look.

When the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games came to town, there was much hesitation and criticism surrounding transit and shutdowns to accommodate visitors in the city. However, it was smooth sailing, as the Games brought together tourists and locals to cheer on athletes and their home countries.

The Games also increased the amount of cash flowing into the downtown core. A Moneris study found that debit and credit card transactions were up 8 per cent in Toronto, while international spending was up 19 per cent. While the study did not include cash transactions, it is easy to assume that visitors contributed some of their cash funds to souvenirs, restaurants and other local establishments and attractions.

By the end of the Games, many wondered if Toronto would be submitting a big to host a much larger event — the 2024 Olympics.

As it turned out, Mayor John Tory announced the city would not be bidding now, but he did not rule out the possibility of someday making a push to be a host city. In a case of too little time, and not enough money, residents and taxpayers felt a sense of relief that their government chose to favour the city's current needs — namely transit and infrastructure.

But what about the Pan Am venues? With more than $1 billion spent on upgrading recreation centres for the Games, where does this leave Torontonians? The buildings can be put to use once again, should the city ever host an Olympics, but for now, they remain closed to the public (with plans to eventually re-open). However, that hasn't stopped locals and tourists alike from seeing the sites, including the Instagram-worthy Toronto sign outside Nathan Phillips Square, which will stick around for the foreseeable future.

I recently wrote about how the value of the Canadian dollar has discouraged Canadians from crossing the border into the States. However, there has been a bright spot for Canadians, courtesy of Major League Baseball.

The Toronto Blue Jays, Canada's only MLB team, have had the league's best record since the All-Star break. They also made a splash at the trade deadline, acquiring ace pitcher David Price and star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Given that the Blue Jays haven't made the playoffs since winning the World Series in 1993, this is a big deal.

Not only are the Blue Jays looking at postseason action, but fans across Canada have been supporting their team greatly. Merchandise sales have skyrocketed across Canada, to the point that Jays Shop, the official online shop of the team, has alerted shoppers that all orders face at least a one- to three-week delay before shipping.

Torontonians typically begin to think about hockey as fall arrives, but now Toronto's downtown core faces double the traffic, with Blue Jays fans at the Rogers Centre, and the Toronto Maple Leafs kicking off their preseason at the Air Canada Centre.

What if you're a fan outside of Toronto? There has been an influx across Canada of fans cheering on the Blue Jays at their closest neighbouring American city. Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, Detroit and New York have all seen their fair share of Blue Jays fans.

In a recent series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, it was estimated that one-fifth of the crowd were Blue Jays fans. With a stadium capacity of 46,278, that's almost 10,000 people. Imagine their impact: The boost in travel and accommodations for one game alone, multiplied by weeks of games, in various cities across the States.

And an extended playoff run by the Blue Jays will only further enhance the tourism value for Toronto. How much, you ask?

Take a look at the NBA's Miami Heat. In 2013, business experts estimated that their playoff run was worth tens of millions of dollars, which trickled from the team down to local hospitality and tourism providers. Every extra game played meant more revenue for concession stands, local bars and restaurants, even taxi drivers. The team gained an $200 million in revenue in a single year, thanks to their 2012 NBA championship.

On a more local note, the Ottawa Senators have admitted to a $100 million ripple effect when their team makes the playoffs, estimating that the average visitor spends between $500 and $5,000 to experience a home game.

Perhaps the wealth can extend itself to the Blue Jays, if they can prove themselves as a true contender. A devalued dollar isn't keeping fans from their team, and neither will sold-out playoff tickets. Tickets for viewing a full series start at $150, but jump to $5,800 should they make the World Series.

How long will the Blue Jays' streak last? As Toronto experiences a multitude of successful sporting events and teams, this can only boost the city's reputation for future hosting gigs, as well as a future Olympic bid. After all, the Pan Am venues are waiting to be filled.

Not to mention, the tourism industry won't have to solely rely on a baseball team's playoff hopes for future revenues — the same can be expected if any of Toronto's other teams experience the same boost in winning as the Blue Jays. The fans and the tourism industry certainly hope so.