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IN PHOTOS | See Swiftmania sweep Toronto | CBC News

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IN PHOTOS | See Swiftmania sweep Toronto | CBC News

Taylor Swift opens her first of six sold-out concerts at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which began March 17, 2023, arrived in Toronto Thursday for six sold-out shows and will wrap after three Vancouver performances in early December. 

About 60,000 ticket-holders will gather at the Toronto stadium for each show from Nov. 14-23, with thousands more Swifties expected to attend the pre-show event called Taylgate ’24 at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre. 

With opening night upon us, check out the excitement in Toronto, from the artist herself taking the stage to the lineups for merchandise, to the hundreds of thousands of fans at Rogers Centre and more. 

Nov. 14: Taylgate ’24 and opening night

After much anticipation, Taylor Swift opens her first of six sold-out shows at Rogers Centre. 

Taylor Swift on stage, performing first two songs of The Eras Tour at Rogers Centre.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The Eras Tour celebrates all 10 of the artist’s existing studio albums with a set list of 44 songs. Swift opened the first show with Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, followed by Cruel Summer. 

Looking to her right, Taylor Swift gestures on stage during The Eras Tour at Rogers Centre in Toronto

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

After performing the first few songs, Swift told the audience: “Toronto, welcome to The Eras Tour.” 

Taylor Swift performing on stage on the first night of her Eras Tour in Toronto.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The popstar will also perform at Rogers Centre on Friday and Saturday, then three more shows on Nov. 21, 22 and 23.

Taylor Swift on stage with her back singers and dancers, performing

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams opened for Taylor Swift ahead of the pop sensation’s three-hour show.

On stage with backup musicians, Gracie Abrams sings during the opening act for Taylor Swift

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans listening to Abrams.

A crowd of fans in the audience at Rogers Centre, listening to Gracie Abrams the opening act for Taylor Swift.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Closeup of fans listening to Gracie Abrams, who opens for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at Rogers Centre.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Wearing Swift-inspired outfits, fans lined up outside Rogers Centre on opening night.

Four young women dressed in sequin outfits outside Rogers Centre, ahead of the Taylor Swift Eras tour concert.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

A closeup of a Swiftie's sparkly boots and matching outfit holding a Taylor Swift themed purse.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Smiling, two young women in tank dresses, wrapping themselves in a pink blanket, as they wait in a lineup to get inside Rogers Centre stadium for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Just hours before the first show, Swifties gathered for Taylgate ’24 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It’s where attendees can get their pre-concert makeup done, participate in a massive bracelet making and exchange session and more. Here, Lydia Menshenfriend makes a friendship bracelet at Taylgate ’24.

In a slip sequin dress, a Taylor Swift look-alike sits at a table, making friendship bracelets and smiling for the camera.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans watch a costume show during the Taylgate ’24 event. 

Swifties sitting in chairs and watching a costume show during Taylgate '24 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre ahead of the first Taylor Swift Eras concert in Toronto.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Tabatha and Summer Fournier, from Woodstock, Ont., stand for a portrait at Taylgate ’24. The pair later won the costume contest. 

In Taylor Swift inspired outfits, a blond mom and daughter smile for portraits at the Taylgate '24 event ahead of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Chelsea Trafford, left, and Rachelle Liguori (in their Lover and Reputation eras, respectively) stand for a portrait at the Taylgate. 

Two Swifties standing against a tiled wall for a portrait.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Nov. 13: Swifties at the CN Tower 

It’s the first time fan Taylor Stapleton has visited Toronto, and Thursday will be her first time seeing the pop sensation in concert. Stapleton, from Los Angeles, decided to check out the CN Tower on Wednesday. 

Fan smiles for the camera, wearing a houndstooth pattern beret and Taylor Swift Eras Tour scarf, with visitors behind her at the CN Tower's main observation deck.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Here, she shows off her Swift-themed outfit while at the tower’s main observation level. 

Person shows a sweatshirt sleeve that reads: I am proud to be a Swiftie.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

In addition to the breathtaking views, CN Tower visitors also got to see a photo exhibit of Taylor Swift tour photography that’s on display during the Toronto leg of the Eras Tour.

Couple having their photo taken next to a poster that reads: Toronto's version 1976, at the CN Tower's main observation deck.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

A person walks and looks at a Taylor Swift photo exhibit at the CN Tower's main observation deck.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

What’s behind this stadium fence?

Across the street from Rogers Centre, there’s a parking lot with metal fencing.

A metal screen with small openings that looks into a parking lot with many red transport trucks.

(Showwei Chu/CBC)

And right now, it’s filled with idling semis. It’s reported that 90 transport trucks are needed to set up, take down and move Swift’s production. A photo taken with CBC’s aerial drone shows just over 50 semis.

A bird's-eye view of a parking lot across from Rogers Centre with over 50 transport trucks ahead of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour show in Toronto.

(Patrick Morrell/CBC)

Nov. 12: Concert merch up for grabs

Tour merchandise went on sale at Rogers Centre on Tuesday morning. It’s the only location in Toronto selling official tour merchandise. Here, fans line up outside the stadium.

Two people atop a set of stairs looking down on a lineup of Taylor Swift fans outside Rogers Centre.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fan Brenda Martinez holds an Eras Tour poster outside the venue.

Holding a canvas bag on one shouldner, a woman shows off a poster that reads: Taylor Swift The Eras Tour, Toronto, Canada, outside Rogers Centre.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

A fan shows friendship bracelets outside Rogers Centre. 

A closeup of a person cupping both hands that's holding friendship bracelets, outside Rogers Centre.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Another fan in mid-pose outside the stadium. 

A person moving to a beat, in front of the giant friendship bracelet sign outside Rogers Centre that reads: Taylor Swift The Eras Tour.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Valentyna Miziuk takes a selfie on Tuesday outside Rogers Centre, the venue hosting the Toronto shows.

A woman takes a selfie in front of Rogers Centre stadium where hangs a giant friendship bracelet sign that reads: Taylor Swift The Eras Tour.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

An aerial view by drone of the growing lineup outside Gates 5 and 6.

Aerial drone still of Rogers Centre, showing lineup for merch store as well as the giant friendship bracelet sign that reads: Taylor Swift The Eras Tour.

(Michael Cole/CBC)

Nov. 4: Toronto renames streets temporarily

A main route through downtown Toronto got a temporary makeover to honour Swift ahead of her six-concert run in the city — and to raise money to help people facing food insecurity. 

Signs bearing the name Taylor Swift Way designate the route from Rogers Centre — where Swift will perform — to Nathan Phillips Square, where city hall is located, for the month of November. 

A total of 22 signs go up along Queen Street West, John Street, Front Street and Blue Jays Way.

Neil Hetherington, Daily Bread Food Bank, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and Coun. Ausma Malik at the Taylor Swift Way sign unveiling outside near Rogers Centre.
From left to right: Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and Coun. Ausma Malik, at the unveiling of the Taylor Swift Way sign on Nov. 4. (Clara Pasieka/CBC)

People take pictures with a newly erected Taylor Swift Way street sign in Toronto on Nov. 5. 

People take pictures near a newly erected Taylor Swift Way street sign outside Rogers Centre in Toronto.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

A person takes cellphone pic of a newly erected Taylor Swift Way street sign in Toronto.

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

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