Live Nation to build new concert stadium in Toronto

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A new concert stadium is coming to Toronto in the summer of 2025 that will hold up to 50,000 music fans.

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The venue, which will be named Rogers Stadium, was announced Thursday morning with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford on hand. It will be built in the city’s north end near the area of what was formerly known as Downsview Airport Lands. 

“The number of stadium-level acts touring today is unprecedented, with more acts than available nights at existing venues. That’s why we’re making this investment — to ensure Toronto fans don’t miss out on world-class artists,” Erik Hoffman, Live Nation Canada president, music, said in a statement.

During the summer months, from May to late September and early October, the majority of the outdoor concerts are held at Toronto’s waterfront venue Budweiser Stage, which can hold just over 16,000 fans.

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Hoffman said the need for another concert site comes from unprecedented demand throughout the summertime months.

“Rogers Stadium will not only meet this demand but also offer a premium stadium show experience, combined with the festival vibe that our fans love,” he said. “This a natural evolution of our stadium programming and we’re excited to bring this new venue to life with our partners at Rogers while continuing to book world-class shows at Rogers Centre, as well.”

“I’m so pleased to welcome Live Nation and the future Rogers Stadium to YZD,” Ford said. “This exciting venue will bring even more tourists and investment to our province, boosting local businesses, creating new jobs and drawing in artists and events from around the world.”

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Recently reformed Britpop heroes Oasis are one of the acts rumoured to be playing the site next year.

After selling out a string of shows in the U.K. and Ireland, the NME reported that Liam and Noel Gallagher will do a North American tour with rumblings that a show is scheduled to take place in Toronto next August.

When it gets underway, the new stadium is expected to inject an estimated $80-$100 million into the local economy.

“This new music venue will enhance Toronto’s reputation as a world-leading destination for the biggest touring acts from around the globe,” said Chow.

The project is part of a larger development being spearheaded by Northcrest Developments, which plans on turning the destination into a multiuse area with seven new neighbourhoods that will accommodate more than 55,000 residents.

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The development includes 28 million square feet of residential space, seven million square feet of commercial and cultural spaces, and nearly 74 acres of parks and green spaces.

“Rogers Stadium is a testament to our vision for this masterplan, which includes a series of communities, creating a space where people come together to experience the best the city has to offer,” said Derek Goring, CEO of Northcrest Developments.

“With development plans for these lands years away, this new venue serves not only as a premier concert venue but also reflects Northcrest’s commitment to creating a seasonal destination that brings much-needed infrastructure for the city’s arts and culture sector. This partnership is one of the many ways we continue to shape the soul of this community before development even begins, ensuring that YZD becomes a beacon of cultural and community life for years to come.”

mdaniell@postmedia.com

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