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RBC Amphitheatre
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Toronto's Budweiser Stage to Become RBC Amphitheatre
Today (Oct. 28), Live Nation Canada announced the new name for Toronto’s waterfront amphitheatre, which will expand into a year-round venue by 2030.
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Say hello to RBC Amphitheatre.
Today (Oct. 28), Live Nation Canada and RBC announced a multi-year partnership to expand the Toronto waterfront venue — starting with the replacement of its former name, Budweiser Stage, effective immediately.
RBC Amphitheatre is set to be transformed and expanded into a year-round venue by 2030.
The concert venue, on the site of the old Ontario Place Forum, opened in the mid-1990s under its initial name, Molson Amphitheatre, and was renamed Budweiser Stage in 2017. Its new name is seemingly a callback to its origins.
Embarking on renovations, the event space will expand its indoor and outdoor capabilities. By becoming a full-year venue, RBC Amphitheatre will include an expanded capacity in the summer and approximately 9,000 seats in the winter, featuring seated and an open-air lawn section from May to October.
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The event space is expected to close for renovations in fall 2027 and reopen in spring 2029, with full-year capabilities complete by summer 2030. A temporary venue is to be announced.
Inspired by fan feedback, the venue will feature a pedestrian bridge that improves access and eases crowd flow. Live Nation also promises upgraded amenities like expanded food and beverage options, hospitality areas and a new lookout deck with elevator access to the lawn. The city skyline views will remain central to the venue’s identity.
With the proposed changes and transformation, RBC Amphitheatre is set to significantly increase its show count, hosting over 1.5 million fans annually.
“The redevelopment of RBC Amphitheatre, formerly Budweiser Stage, strengthens Toronto’s position as a global entertainment hub and a must-play city for artists who are touring,” says Michael Rapino, CEO and president of Live Nation Entertainment.
“With these changes, RBC Amphitheatre will become a world-class venue with unmatched acoustics, fan-friendly design and elevated hospitality experiences.”
Building signage of the previous venue name will remain visible as the space transforms in the months leading up to the 2026 season. The venue currently has four shows announced for next year’s lineup, including Canadian rapper bbno$, American musician MGK, country star Bailey Zimmerman and Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer.
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Live music is a major sector of growth for the Canadian economy, generating almost $11 billion in GDP, according to the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA). While this number doesn’t come without its challenges — as many small venues and festivals face closures as they compete with bigger companies — the reimagined RBC Amphitheatre is purported to create hundreds of new jobs in the live entertainment space.
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