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Anna Lee Media / Coldplay / Disney+ Hotstar
Chris Martin of Coldplay
Concerts
Rogers Stadium Making 'Adjustments' Ahead of Sold-Out Coldplay Toronto Shows
The newly opened space will host the British rock band for four performances starting on July 7.
9h
Shortly after its opening, Toronto’s Rogers Stadium is already making “adjustments.”
In anticipation of Coldplay’s four sold-out shows, which start tonight (July 7), the open-air venue is addressing early concerns raised during its inaugural event: a June 29 concert by K-pop group Stray Kids.
Attendees said it took up to two hours to leave the venue, with crowd control and nearby transit unable to keep up with the post-show rush.
Inside the venue, concertgoers complained about limited access to cell service and water, with some describing hour-long lineups at bottle-filling stations that dispensed warm water at certain points.
Some fans in the upper grandstands said they felt their seats shift during the show. Live Nation Canada addressed the concern, explaining that the movement is “expected as part of the design” and that the structure “exceeds international safety codes.”
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In the days following, Live Nation and venue stakeholders announced they were “already making adjustments,” including enhanced lighting, signage, staffing and additional water refill stations.
Crowd exit strategies are also being reworked to better distribute foot traffic between Downsview Park and Wilson subway stations, easing congestion at Downsview Park station.
Transit authorities are also stepping in: The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has said it will be adding more staff to its nearby stations on concert nights, while Metrolinx will “closely monitor” GO Train ridership levels for events at the stadium.
Over the weekend, Ticketmaster sent an email to Coldplay ticket holders advising them that cellular reception at Rogers Stadium gates “will be limited as this is a large-capacity venue.”
York Centre councillor James Pasternak confirmed that “respectful but blunt” conversations were held on July 2 with Live Nation Canada and property developers Northcrest, urging them to address gaps before the summer concert season ramps up.
“With concerts scheduled all summer and shortcomings apparent from the first performance, we put pressure on all responsible parties to sort out concerns,” Pasternak wrote on Instagram.
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As Coldplay steps in, all eyes are on Rogers Stadium to deliver.
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