Toronto is getting a massive new outdoor concert venue at a site that has welcomed thousands of signature acts like the Rolling Stones over the years. Live Nation Canada confirmed on Thursday that Rogers Stadium will debut at YZD, the former Downsview Airport location, in June 2025. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford were on hand for the announcement.
Rogers Stadium will become Toronto’s largest purpose-built outdoor concert venue, with a capacity of 50,000 on approximately 44 acres of the north end of the runway. Live Nation Canada says the new concert venue will be a “temporary fixture,” serving as an open-air facility designed to operate during the summer, with a primary destination for live music and “international acts of diversified genres.”
“I’m so pleased to welcome Live Nation and the future Rogers Stadium to YZD,” said Premier Ford. “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.”
Company officials say the former Downsview Airport was chosen as the venue’s location due to its “proximity to major transportation and transit connections in a north area of Toronto that makes it easily accessible from other cities in the GTA.”
Downsview: From Airport to Entertainment Hub
The site’s history is intertwined with Toronto’s growth and its connection to the world. Downsview Airport opened in 1929 and served as an air base for the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Bombardier sold the site in 2018 to a Canadian pension manager, which created Northcrest to oversee the development.
In May, Northcrest Developments took over the site and announced a landmark $30-billion, 370-acre development of the former airport, renaming it “YZD.” Once completed “in the coming decades,” YZD will feature seven neighbourhoods and 24,000 new homes.
“Rogers Stadium is a fit with Northcrest Developments’ vision for YZD as a destination for housing, work, culture, and entertainment, moving the centre of gravity north for new signature Toronto activities,” Live Nation Canada staff say.
A New Era for Live Music
The new stadium represents a big bet on the future of live music in Canada's largest city. Live Nation, a global events conglomerate, believes that Rogers Stadium will attract the biggest names in the music industry, further solidifying Toronto’s position as a leading music market.
Erik Hoffman, Live Nation Canada’s president overseeing music, emphasizes the need for Toronto to remain competitive in the global touring market. “In a global touring market, artists have a lot of choices, and we need to make sure we’re not missing out on anything in Toronto,” he said in an interview Thursday.
The stadium’s design is intended to be flexible, with a removable stage that allows artists to bring in their own customized designs. The stadium will have seats for 30,000 fans, with the rest standing. While it will not have the facilities to host a sports team, it will certainly provide an exciting concert experience.
A Temporary Venue, But With Long-Term Potential
Despite the temporary nature of the stadium, Northcrest has plans to develop the site into residential housing in the coming decades, meaning Rogers Stadium will eventually be replaced. This has not deterred Live Nation, who are confident in the stadium’s ability to attract major acts and generate revenue.
Downsview: A History of Music and Entertainment
The Downsview site has long been associated with major music events. It hosted the infamous 2003 Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto concert, also known as SARSstock, the Rolling Stones-headlined event held to boost Toronto’s fortunes and spirits after the breakout and containment of SARS. Downsview has also been home to festivals such as Veld and Riot Fest, and was the site of the 2012 stage collapse that killed Radiohead drum technician Scott Johnson.
Live Nation’s Big Bet
Live Nation has been investing heavily in the future of live music, and Rogers Stadium represents another ambitious venture. They believe that the stadium will generate enough revenue to offset its high operating expenses and the expensive nature of Toronto real estate.
While Rogers Stadium will be a temporary addition to the Toronto landscape, it is poised to become a major force in the city's music scene for the next several years. It will offer an exciting opportunity for artists to connect with their fans in a new way, and for fans to experience live music in a unique and memorable setting.
A New Era for Toronto’s Music Scene
With the addition of Rogers Stadium, Toronto is positioning itself as a global hub for live music. This massive, open-air venue, with its temporary nature and ambitious goals, promises to bring a new energy and excitement to the city’s music scene. As the world's biggest acts take the stage at Rogers Stadium, Toronto will be at the forefront of the global music landscape, and the city's reputation as a premier destination for live entertainment will only grow stronger.
