Sandbox VR Continues Canada Expansion with a New Venue in Vaughan, Canada, on January 16

The ‘best virtual reality experience on the planet’ joins the entertainment lineup at the RioCan Colossus Center

VAUGHAN, ON, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sandbox VR, the world’s premier venue for virtual reality experiences, continues its international expansion with the grand opening of its newest venue in Vaughan, Canada, opening on Friday, January 16, in the RioCan Colossus Center. The move marks Sandbox VR’s 6th venue in Canada, with current locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and two in Montreal. With nearly 150K players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.

Sandbox VR is redefining group entertainment with immersive experiences that transform any outing into lasting memories. Built by a team of veteran developers from EA, Sony, and Ubisoft, Sandbox VR delivers full-body immersion through exclusive content and original experiences, offering guests the opportunity to step out of everyday reality into unforgettable adventures with friends and family.

“Canada remains a key growth market for Sandbox VR, and we’re looking forward to expanding into Vaughan,” said Steve Zhao, CEO and founder of Sandbox VR. “Our immersive, social VR experiences continue to resonate with guests, and we look forward to bringing Sandbox’s innovative approach to entertainment to the Vaughan community.”

“I’m honored to be a part of the Sandbox VR Franchise expansion,” said Fiona Cheng, Franchise Owner, Sandbox VR Vaughan. “Opening at the RioCan Colossus Centre in Vaughan allows us to bring a truly next-level immersive entertainment experience to our community, and we can’t wait to welcome guests through our doors.”

Sandbox VR’s Vaughan venue includes more than 5,000 square feet of entertainment space and a party room, along with four private rooms where groups of up to six guests suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion sensors for full-body immersion. This technology allows players to see and physically interact with one another, creating the feeling of living inside the action together. The premium experience extends from arrival to exit, with personalized highlight videos allowing guests to relive and share their adventures. Guests can take advantage of 20% off bookings at the new Vaughan with code LAUNCH20 on bookings made before the store opens.

Recently, Sandbox VR launched Stranger Things: Catalyst, the highly anticipated immersive experience now available at locations worldwide. In the experience, players become Dr. Brenner’s test subjects and explore the sinister halls of Hawkins National Laboratory, the eerie glow of the Rainbow Room, the shadow-haunted woods of Mirkwood, and the nightmarish Upside Down.

Guests can choose from any of ten exclusive immersive experiences created by Sandbox VR’s in-house team of video game industry veterans:

• *NEW* Stranger Things: Catalyst – Images available HERE
  • Created in partnership with Netflix, Stranger Things: Catalyst allows fans to step inside the global phenomenon in an all-new immersive chapter that puts you at the heart of Hawkins’ darkest secrets.
• Rebel Moon: The Descent – Images available HERE
  • Created in partnership with Netflix and legendary Director Zack Snyder, The Rebel Moon experience allows you to explore the world of Daggus. Descend through towering skyscrapers, gritty urban streets, and a subterranean mine as you battle against enemy soldiers, spacecraft, and more.
• Deadwood PHOBIA – Images available HERE
  • The latest installment of VR’s most iconic zombie series takes players into a derelict medical facility crawling with unprecedented, mind-bending horrors. Deadwood PHOBIA takes you on a journey through your fears, where you can’t trust everything you see.
• Squid Game Virtuals – Images available HERE
  • Compete against your crew in several pulse-pounding (yet more approachable, but just as thrilling) mini-games inspired by the #1 Netflix series. Play again and again to experience and master all-new games and challenges.
• Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire – Images available HERE
  • Journey through a world of fantasy and explore a ruined fortress, an underground river, a haunted tomb and the dragon’s tower as you become Seekers of the Shard.
• Deadwood Valley – Images available HERE
  • Engage in an adrenaline-pumping thrill-ride through a town overrun by zombies. Your squad could stop the zombie menace forever – or die trying!
• Deadwood Mansion – Images available HERE
  • Do you have what it takes to survive a zombie apocalypse? Work with your team to protect Deadwood Mansion from a terrifying horde of undead.
• Curse of Davy Jones – Images available HERE
  • Battle on the high seas against a variety of supernatural creatures and hunt for the long-lost treasure of Davy Jones.
• Amber Sky 2088 – Images available HERE
  • Become heroic Androids equipped with futuristic weapons and soar through the clouds on a space elevator while defending Earth from an alien invasion.
• UFL: Unbound Fighting League – Images available HERE
  • Transform into a futuristic gladiator and compete against your friends in thrilling duels in a breathtaking arena beyond the limits of reality.

Sandbox VR provides an unparalleled entertainment experience with over 200,000 five-star reviews from guests worldwide. With 5 million lifetime tickets sold across five continents, the company has established itself as the global leader in location-based virtual reality.

Sandbox VR is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, Craft, and Stanford University, along with individuals such as Kevin Durant, Justin Timberlake, and Katy Perry.

To learn more about Sandbox VR visit https://sandboxvr.com/vaughan.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR
Sandbox VR is the world’s premier destination for location-based virtual reality experiences. Operating across 65+ venues around the globe through a robust franchise and corporate-owned model, Sandbox VR attracts nearly 150,000 guests each month. Sandbox VR provides guests the opportunity to step out of everyday reality into unforgettable adventures through exhilarating, group-play immersive experiences. Using a proprietary full-body VR platform, the company develops original and licensed content, including exclusive experiences like Stranger Things: Catalyst and Squid Game Virtuals in collaboration with Netflix, and the Sandbox VR original Deadwood series. With over 5 million tickets sold worldwide, Sandbox VR has become the leader in immersive entertainment, combining premium technology with emotionally engaging storytelling. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies and the 129th fastest-growing company on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company has raised over $138 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, and Craft, with individual backers including Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Kevin Durant, and Will Smith.

Media Contact:
Metro Public Relations for Sandbox VR
sandboxvr@metropublicrelations.com 

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SOURCE Sandbox VR