Rogers Stadium — Attraction in Toronto

I am not from Toronto, I am from the US, and this was my first time going to a big concert. I went to see Coldplay on July 12 with my husband. I heard a lot of mixed reviews from people about this new concert stadium. A lot of people weren't big fans of it. But for someone who has never been to a big concert, I had a really good time.

I liked that it wasn't in the heart of downtown Toronto. I couldn't imagine trying to book hotels or getting around before or after the concert there. I loved being able to be outdoors for Coldplay. The space is very open. There was so much room at the venue for vendors, merch tents, food trucks, lounges, water refill stations (AMAZING), and even a ferris wheel!! It was like walking up to a music festival and then heading inside for the main event. I loved that.

The only things my husband and I didn't love was that some of the signage for our section was confusing. A handful of people were sitting in section 109, thinking it was 108 and vice versa. We were one of them, even though we were directed by signs and security to sit there. We tried asking some of the workers for clarification, but even they didn't know which section was which. I would think they should know which section they are in charge of. We ended up in the very top back corner of the stadium, which was fine because there is no bad seat at Coldplay.

But when the concert started and everyone started standing and jumping, we could all feel the bleachers moving quite a bit. Being that high up made it much more dramatic. It was an uneasy feeling, especially being in the top corner. We also had lighting equipment behind us that was shaking separately from the movement, and security even came up to check on it at one point to make sure it was still strapped in. They noted "its still ziptied, so it should be fine." 😳 On one hand, people kept saying they were afraid the stands would fall over. On the other hand, it made them jump around more gently, so I wasn't getting knocked into. I felt like I had enough space at my seat anyway.

Leaving the venue after the concert ended wasn't as chaotic as I anticipated. Security seemed well prepared for the masses of people, and there were several exits and directions to go. Most people were heading towards the subway station. I really loved how security broke up the crowd into queues with 'red light, green light' to prevent a crowd rush in the station. It was very smart and prevented too many people in one place.

My husband and I chose to head towards the street to get a Lyft, but we wish we did better planning on a place to get picked up because the next open street was packed with taxis and cars that were loitering and waiting for people. Drivers kept asking concert goers if they needed an Uber ride or a taxi. I'm sure it was helpful for some, but after a while, my husband and I decided to give it a go when our app was taking too long. The guy that took us ended up scamming us. He said he was with Uber, but as soon as we got in, he refused to use the app and was trying to make us pay almost $80. It was very overwhelming getting back to our hotel because of this. I know none of it was the venues fault, but there are a lot of drivers parked along the street waiting to take advantage of people coming out of the concert trying to get home after a late night. Just like us. So be careful and make a strict plan.

Overall, I think Rogers Stadium has a great concept, and I had a really great time. Coldplay was unbelievable, and a dream come true for me. There are some improvements to be made at the venue, but I've been seeing them being made as days go by. And it's only been open a few weeks, so there is a learning period. I can see this venue being a really great location for summer concerts. I would make the trip back to Toronto to see a concert here if I couldn't see it back home for an artist I really wanted to see. I had a...

Just went to go see BlackPink at the Rogers Stadium. My first time actually going because I didn’t go to the first two concerts prior to BlackPink. There was a lot of speculation about how there were so many things going wrong with the venue however my experience wasn’t too bad. First, I will say the walk was really LONG. I mean sure it’s 15-20ish minutes, but it was scorching hot that day and it took a while to get to where we needed to. Otherwise entering was no issue. Once we arrived inside, it was breathtaking. The views were immaculate. Lots and lots of seating. I was a bit nervous about the seats because I heard that they would shake when people jumped or moved to the music, and yeah it did, but it wasn’t as bad as I had initially thought. There were lots of bathrooms and surprisingly they were clean. The only thing I would say is, they did not have soap, just hand sanitizer which I thought was a bit strange. Thankfully I had some hand soap with me (the kind that comes out as a sheet of paper but when mixed with water turns soapy). There was no issues for lining up for the water stations, but be sure to bring an empty clear water bottle (not glass) so that way you can refill your water if needed. The price for the food & drinks were VERY overpriced. I just opted out on not buying the food (so please make sure you have a big lunch or big dinner before your concert). I didn’t really line up for any merch, but I’ve heard that even though the lines were long, they moved fast! I think my biggest complaint is parking. There weren’t a lot of parking spots, and we actually ended up having to park elsewhere and pay $30 for it. Leaving the venue wasn’t too bad since the sun was down, but the walk was still long. I also noticed at the end of the night there weren’t night shuttle buses and for some reason the police closed Sheppard street for a bit which was kind of an inconvenience but to be expected I suppose. I don’t think it was the venues fault for that but nonetheless I’m mostly just giving a heads up for those who are considering going here pretty soon.

I know it’s newly built so there’s a lot of things they probably did that they had to reconsider or just drop the idea for in general, but I think really my only complaint was the walk, the price of food/drink and the parking. Overall, great experience and it didn’t even feel like a concert and more of like a festival which I absolutely loved. I would go again for sure (but more prepared) if there’s someone I wanted to go see.

Key things to note: If you can bring a clear (not glass) water bottle. Make sure you are hydrated as it can be hot If you don’t want to spend your money on food/drink please be sure to eat (big) before you go, and maybe bring a small snack with you during the walk. Make sure to plan your routes and parking before you show up, and make sure to consider the time, anticipate how many people might do the same thing, and where you’re going to park. Wear something comfortable (but cute if you wanna look cute obviously) shoes wise. For other information, check the website for more details before you make your trip. personal tip: prep and pack your bag before you go. I feel so grateful for doing that because really it saved me a lot of discomfort (especially the hand sanitizer part). I’m sure there’s some videos somewhere online on what to pack in your bag. speaking of bags, they also have a size limit and bag regulation so make sure to check that out on the website.

Otherwise, have fun, be safe...

Rogers Stadium is an absolute clown show, and I’m here to let it rip. This place is a masterclass in screwing over fans while charging them an arm, a leg, and half their soul for the privilege. Let’s talk about the access to this overpriced concrete jungle and the fact that its outdoor setup is a giant middle finger to anyone dumb enough to drop hundreds or thousands on tickets.

First off, getting to Rogers Stadium is like navigating a dystopian obstacle course designed by someone who hates joy. The roads around it are a choked mess—traffic so bad you’d think the apocalypse is happening, and public transit? Ha! It’s a cruel joke. The TTC (Toronto’s so-called “transit system”) is either late, packed like a sardine can, or just not running because, why not? You’re shelling out $300 for nosebleed seats, so naturally, you get to spend an extra hour sweating in a bus that smells like regret. Parking? Oh, sure, if you want to sell your car to afford a spot that’s a 20-minute hike from the gates. And don’t even get me started on the walkways—narrow, congested, and filled with scalpers and overpriced food carts trying to fleece you before you even get inside. It’s like the stadium’s saying, “You’re not here to have fun; you’re here to suffer.”

Now, let’s talk about the fact that this place is outdoors, which is a choice so brain-dead it deserves its own TED Talk on incompetence. Toronto’s weather is a roulette wheel of misery—rain, wind, heatwaves, or that special kind of humid hell that makes you question your life choices. You’re dropping $500, $1,000, maybe more for a “premium” experience, and what do you get? A seat that’s basically a lottery ticket for getting soaked, sunburned, or frostbitten, depending on the day. No roof, no mercy. They’ll sell you a $15 poncho when the skies open up, but your investment? Your dream of seeing your team or that bucket-list concert? Tough luck, pal. You’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, and she’s not a Jays fan.

And the gall to charge these prices for such a half-baked setup is straight-up insulting. Tickets aren’t cheap—$200 gets you a seat so far from the action you need binoculars, and premium seats can run you into the thousands. For that kind of cash, you’d expect, I don’t know, a basic guarantee that you won’t be dodging raindrops or baking like a rotisserie chicken. Other stadiums manage retractable roofs or at least some semblance of crowd flow management, but Rogers? Nah, they’re cool with you marinating in a thunderstorm or spending an hour just trying to get through the gates. It’s like they’re daring you to complain while they count their money.

The kicker? They know this setup is garbage. The stadium’s been around forever, and instead of investing in a roof or better infrastructure, they just keep jacking up ticket prices and calling it a day. It’s a blatant cash grab—your investment isn’t “safe” because they don’t care if you have a good time. They’ve got your money, and you’ve got a soggy seat and a $12 beer. Congrats! The whole experience feels like a scam dressed up as entertainment, and the fact that fans keep coming back is just proof of how much we love our teams and artists, not because Rogers Stadium deserves it.

In short, Rogers Stadium is a monument to cutting corners while charging a fortune. Outdoor venue, terrible access, and zero regard for the fans who keep it alive—it’s a disgrace. For the prices they’re charging, you deserve a red-carpet experience, not a survival gauntlet. Rant over, but the bitterness?...