About 50,000 Bruno Mars fans are set to kick off Toronto’s summer concert season at Rogers Stadium on Saturday — the first of five shows for the singer — giving the outdoor venue its first major test of the year after a series of sweeping changes aimed at fixing crowding, washroom and noise complaints.
The temporary outdoor venue at the former Downsview Airport lands became a major concert hub in its debut season last year, hosting acts including the Oasis reunion and Coldplay tour, but it also drew criticism over crowd-control bottlenecks, long exit times, limited washrooms and noise bleeding into nearby neighbourhoods.
Organizers at Live Nation Canada say they’ve taken those complaints into account heading into the stadium’s second summer, with expanded transit support, additional washrooms and water stations, and redesigned crowd-flow and exit routes. City officials, however, have continued to raise concerns about how the site will handle an expanded schedule.
The stadium is set to host 20 concerts this summer, up from 14 last year, including upcoming shows by Post Malone, Guns N’ Roses, BTS and Luke Combs. Mars’s opening-night performance is the first public test of the changes made at the venue.
Here’s what fans need to know ahead of Saturday’s show.
Is there parking at Rogers Stadium?
Concertgoers can park at 400 William R. Allen Road, though they must buy passes on Ticketmaster beforehand, and the stadium says it is still a “moderate walk” from the gates. Another lot on the east side of Sheppard Avenue West and Tuscan Gate holds more spaces, though organizers warn that it is unpaved.
Concertgoers are encouraged to park at nearby subway stations like Sheppard West, Pioneer Village, Finch West, Highway 407 and York University’s paid commuter parking. On opening night last year, the Star reported that a 632-space parking lot at Sheppard West was full by 4:30 p.m., three hours before the performance was scheduled to begin.
The stadium has sought to address concerns about ridesharing after designated drop-off sites were quickly swamped with cars. Attendees can be dropped off at 81 YZD Lane, on the north side of the stadium, about 400 metres from the gates, and 590 Wilson Ave at the south end, which is about 900 metres away.
How do you get to Rogers Stadium by TTC?
The venue has beefed up public transit to the stadium, but a weekend closure during Mars’s opening show complicates travel for his “Hooligans.”
Downsview Park and Sheppard West are the closest stations and are both 900 metres away from the venue. Wilson Station is about 1,800 metres away, though there is a free shuttle service that will take fans to Gate 3. Rides from these stations will be free on concert days, according to Live Nation Canada, which says fans just have to show their ticket to TTC staff.
Live Nation adds that extra trains will run to help serve additional riders.
The Barrie GO train line, which Downsview Park Station runs along, will be closed during Mars’s shows on May 23, 24 and 30 for track work. Metrolinx says there won’t be any replacement buses and is recommending fans use the TTC to navigate the area.
The 84 Sheppard West, 96 Wilson and 108 Driftwood buses stop near the station as well.
Expect a rainy start to outdoor concert season.
Environment Canada forecasts showers all day Saturday with temperatures hovering around 10 C. Chances of rain dip to 40 per cent on Sunday with 12 C weather expected for the evening. The good, or bad, news for fans is that concerts start rain or shine, according to the uncovered venue, though Live Nation says it does monitor “severe weather” and will send out updates via social media.
There is hope if you’re seeing shows later in the week, as the government agency predicts clear skies and temperatures around 13 C for Mars’s shows on Wednesday and Thursday.
What is the seating and washroom situation?
There are about 32,000 physical seats around the stage, though the venue can squeeze 50,000 people through floor and general admission tickets.
Organizers say they’ve addressed many fan concerns with the concourse. They have added more washrooms after some attendees, like music critic Tamar Herman, described the lines as the longest they’ve ever seen.
Concessions have been shuffled around to help ease congestion as well, according to Live Nation, which have also added more water stations and shady areas to battle the heat in the dead of summer.
A new Rogers Stadium app has been created to help guide concertgoers through the area. It will feature weather and transit updates, along with a detailed map and concert updates.
Is the stadium accessible-friendly?
Fans last year raised concerns about the walking paths and described the ground as a wet, muddy, gravel-filled path that was “easy to trip over and difficult to walk on,” one TikToker who uses a cane to get around said.
The venue has added a new paved walkway from Sheppard West Station that is about a 10-minute walk, according to Live Nation Canada. The two other pathways leading to Downsview Park and Wilson stations have been widened to allow for more foot traffic.
Accessible parking spaces are still limited, according to the venue, and they must be arranged beforehand by sending an email to [email protected]. Wheelchair assistance is available at any gate, and the entrances themselves are all at ground level.
The stadium does not have any designated companion seating, though Live Nation says that people with tickets can visit their Guest Services Pod to ask about their “very limited” accessibility relocation seats. Those areas are assigned on a “first-come, first-served basis” on the event day.
No official word has come out from Mars’s camp, though his Las Vegas shows could provide some clues.
Mars would play his biggest dance hits like “Uptown Funk,” “Versace on the Floor,” and “24k Magic,” with some ballads like “Die with a Smile,” “Grenade,” and “When I Was Your Man.” He also played “Smokin’ Out the Window,” “Leave the Door Open,” and others from Silk Sonic, his group with drummer and rapper Anderson .Paak.
As it is called “The Romantic Tour,” fans should expect some cuts from his February album “The Romantic,” his first solo effort in 10 years.
With files from David Friend and Asma Sahebzada.
