RBC Amphitheatre — Attraction in Toronto

I would like to say I had a great time at the Black Keys concert and they were amazing. But Budweiser Stadium had serious organizational issues and canned water.

They didn’t indicate on their website that you could not bring a backpack, no matter how small or even if it was the size of a purse, but in the shape of a backpack. This resulted in huge long lines where people had to have their backpack searched, and then you had to create a pin And find a locker.

This is ridiculous. This is an outdoor venue people bring blankets extra clothes. I also find this extremely discriminatory against women as women’s clothing has no pockets. Which forces us to consolidate more things into a bag like a backpack for an outdoor concert. Now you are stuck, carrying your extra sweater or whatever in your hands. Never mind the nightmare of trying to get your stuff on the way out I just opted on ditching the backpack.

One of the reasons I like to go to Budweiser Stadium is I got a dance I cannot sit still at the concert. I need to move and so I always loved the lawns for this reason. Also, when the concert starts, they don’t care if you smoke weed or cigarettes, even though cigarettes are disgusting. I have come to concerts to Budweiser stage when it was Mohsen amphitheatre and always enjoyed lawns. I got lawns on purpose so I can move. I have never seen the lawn so dirty or an ill repair. It was even mulched in some sections. That means people were literally sitting on dirty wood chips That was gross.

The canned water my issue with the canned water is that it’s not resealable. Perhaps they produce canned water that is resealable it’s supposed to be more environmentally friendly because it’s aluminum and the can will be recycled. My issue is The can is not resealable, and this is extremely unsafe. For women this is again another and equitable issue like they stole our backpacks we don’t have pockets and now the water they provide is easily drugged.

These are new rules and I think that they are silly and they are quoted to be security reasons. It’s weird because they search your bag had to toe when you go in through the metal detector anyways so why are they taking peoples blankets and forcing them to carry? This is an outdoor concert with lawn seats people bring blankets to sit on people bring rain jackets, just in case.

So me giving Budweiser Stadium a two should not reflect on the awesome musicians that play there. It’s really just how badly run Budweiser is currently how disgusting they maintain their lawns which is mulch gross!!! They don’t really provide good concert light shows either. and I gotta say for the first time ever I found the crowd to be so disrespectful That the amount of talking that was happening during the concert was interfering with the sound of the band. I find this outrageous because the band had good speakers and still the amount of people scream talking at each other kind of drowned out the music.

So my disappointing experience had nothing to do with the musicians and everything to do With Bad organization, maintenance of the venue m, canned water?! and the bad attitudes of the concertgoers. Please take peoples phones.

I would like to finish on a positive note. The Black Keys put an amazing show, and I had an absolute blast dancing, regardless of the canned water.

OK, I know I’m going on about the canned water but even the police were like I know people think we’re drinking alcohol and then I did tell them this is not equitable. This is very easy to drug. It should be resealable. They agreed. Even as I was walking, we’re leaving the venue and the concert Security or whatever are taking people’s beer cans and I’m like calm down. It’s canned water for some reason, sir and they look embarrassed. They’re like I know we’re sorry. My biggest bone to pick with the canned water is that it’s not resealable it also...

I’ve attended well over 40 shows at Budweiser Stage, so this review comes from a place of experience and appreciation - but also growing frustration.

The venue itself is solid once you’re inside. Sound is consistently strong, the vibe is great on a nice night, and the security team deserves credit for being proactive during shows. I’ve personally seen them provide quick and calm assistance to people who fainted or had medical issues - they take crowd safety seriously, and it shows.

But the entry process and parking situation continue to be the biggest drawbacks. With the main lots now closed off, parking is not only overpriced, but you’re looking at a 20–30 minute walk to the front gates in many cases. For anyone with gear or time-sensitive plans, that’s a major inconvenience.

As a photographer/media attendee, I’ve had several issues at the front entrance where I was told one thing in advance, only to be followed or trailed by security or even police while trying to connect with my contact inside. It’s uncomfortable, and clearly a communication breakdown. Media accreditation is very difficult to secure, and the on-site process is inconsistent at best. This seems to be a pattern with Live Nation venues, but it’s especially noticeable here.

The smoking area is tucked away behind the lawn, with no view of the stage. It’s nice that they allow smoking at all, but it feels like they could improve this area so you’re not completely removed from the experience.

The Corona Viewing Deck is a nice upsell in theory - you get your own washroom and viewing section - but beyond that, it’s limited value for the premium pricing. Feels like more of a branded photo op than a premium experience.

Food and drinks are expensive, as expected, but one bright spot is the brand activations. I’ve seen some fun things from RBC x Music, like the DDR-style booth where you can win seat upgrades, merch, or even cash, which is a cool touch. There’s also a vape booth, which is a rare find at venues. $10 gets you a kit with two disposables and one reusable device - great price, though the flavours are limited (mint and tobacco) and the product itself is mediocre at best.

As for the lawn, it’s a great option on quieter nights - but during busy shows, it’s hard to find space unless you arrive early. Not ideal for groups, and definitely less comfortable if you don’t snag a good spot.

In short, I keep coming back because I love live music and this venue has seen some incredible performances over the years - but the entry process, parking, and media handling need serious work. If they invested more in communication, guest flow, and basic comfort upgrades, Bud Stage could be the gold standard for Toronto venues. Right now, it’s hit or miss depending...

Budweiser Stage, formerly known as Molson Canadian Amphitheatre before 2017, offers a solid experience for concertgoers. Concertgoers are advised to use the TTC for commuting and to walk over the bridge or along Lake Shore Boulevard to enter the venue, as car traffic can be challenging, especially with ongoing construction in the area.

Seating options at Budweiser Stage range from the floors, 100s to the 400s, and lawn seating. Seats in sections 100 to 300 are covered, providing some protection from the weather, while the 400s are exposed. For those in lawn seating, make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, as the venue is rain or shine. Guests can bring towels or blankets for comfort, but should be aware that the ground may be wet or dry depending on the day's weather. Sound quality is generally good from most areas of the venue, although concertgoers should be prepared for people moving through the crowd and stepping on blankets, which may lead to items getting stepped on.

The venue has multiple gate entrances that facilitate security checks and small bag inspections. Homemade food wrapped in clear plastic is allowed, and ticket scanning can be done via barcode or NFC. It is highly recommended that concertgoers download their tickets or add them to their phone wallets ahead of time, as the Ticketmaster app may experience issues during peak concert times.

Guest services at Budweiser Stage offer complimentary free earplugs (like the Uline quality ones) and lawn chair rentals, though availability may vary depending on the specific concert and must be lawn-enabled. Their lawn chairs come built in with a cup holder and are built for the slope of the lawn. You can reserve this in advance by paying $20 in advance online (not included in your concert ticket). You can get the chairs by bringing your phone or ticket to the Guest Service Building located inside by the main entrance or the Guest Services between Gate 2 and Gate 3 near the entrance to the lawns. The American Express Lounge, located on the far west side by West Plaza, is exclusive to cardholders and one additional guest. This lounge features its own bathrooms and bar, which can get fairly busy (which they may close off the entrance).

For those driving to the venue, paid parking is available across the bridge near the CNE side. However, this parking option can become quite chaotic, particularly when concertgoers are trying to leave, as they often overlap the roads with those heading back to public...