Having kicked off operations at Downsview Park on Sunday with a performance by K-pop group Stray Kids, Toronto’s new 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium (not to be confused with the Rogers Centre), is set to stage 14 concerts this summer featuring some of the world’s biggest acts, including Oasis and Coldplay, and attracting tens of thousands of fans.
Rogers Stadium is now the second-largest venue in the city behind the Rogers Centre, which has a capacity of around 55,000 and is home to the Toronto Blue Jays when not serving as a concert venue.
The site also includes a fan zone, anchored by a Ferris wheel, where concertgoers can buy food and drinks from vendors, or visit two private eateries that require reservations in advance of a show. The fan zone will open a couple of hours before the start of a show to stagger the entry of attendees.
Live Nation President of Music Erik Hoffman says a stadium of this size is “a need” for the city and will inject $100 million into the local economy this summer.
Hoffman said the plan to build Rogers Stadium came about after British rock band Coldplay couldn’t find a Toronto venue to put on a show in the timeline it needed. “The idea was born around trying to facilitate them,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman said that Toronto is one of the top cities in North America for concerts, though acts looking to play larger venues would often face scheduling conflicts with sports teams.
“So, we realized that we could wait around forever and see if somebody builds something bigger or we can build something for ourselves,” he said.
Not the Rogers Centre
Confusion surrounding Rogers Stadium’s name because of its similarity to Rogers Centre followed its unveiling late last year, something Hoffman said Live Nation understands and is addressing.
“We put out a big campaign clarifying where you’re going,” Hoffman said, adding that Live Nation is confident with the information it’s putting out to reduce mix-ups.
Following each concert this summer, Metrolinx and TTC are offering free rides from Downsview Station, which is about 10 minutes from the stadium. The TTC is also offering free rides from Sheppard West, Downsview Park and Wilson stations.
Live Nation says it is covering the cost of the free trips and TTC and Metrolinx will provide additional service on concert nights to help manage crowds.
While the two August shows by Brit rockers Oasis are sold out, tickets to Coldplay’s four nights in July are available through resale and vary in price from several hundred dollars to more than $1,500.
Nathalie Burri, VP of venues and operations at Live Nation, said events will proceed rain or shine, just like any festival experience, and will only be cancelled in the case of severe weather.
Rogers Stadium will only operate in the summer months, which explains the site’s weather-resistant, modular infrastructure, Burri said.
There are a few white tent structures littered throughout the fan zone that provide areas of shade or protection from rain, along with flushable toilets and sensory, prayer and breast-feeding rooms.
Nurses and doctors will also be available to provide care so as to not inundate hospitals.
While fans are being encouraged to take public transportation, limited on-site parking exists for premium and accessibility ticket holders. There is also passenger drop off and ride-share area.
Rogers is also bringing 5G technology to Rogers Stadium through a $5.2 million in-building network system investment to support all fans at the venue. There is also an on-site entrance exclusively reserved for Rogers customers.
The new stadium is fully funded by Live Nation, Burri said, and doesn’t interfere with any plans to redevelop the 150-hectare former Downsview Airport lands over the next 30 years.
As a temporary venue, Hoffman said Live Nation is still working on what elements of the stadium will stick around for the fall and winter months and how long the stadium will live at Downsview Park.
“It won’t be here forever, but it will be here for the next bunch of years for sure,” Hoffman said.
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