{"url":"https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rogers-stadium-is-here-for-at-least-the-next-five-years-but-will-a-permanent/article_aee72852-650b-4f7b-9e57-443da244784d.html","title":"Rogers Stadium stays for five years, permanent plans shelved","domain":"thestar.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/33286505/pexels-photo-33286505.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"open air concert stadium","category":"Other","language":"en","slug":"b810c02c","id":"b810c02c-fd89-4666-a054-aa18c5959166","description":"Toronto Star reports Rogers Stadium secured for at least five more years as temporary concert site in Downsview.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Toronto Star reports Rogers Stadium secured for at least five more years as temporary concert site in Downsview.\n- **50,000-capacity** open-air venue built by Live Nation on former airport lands, hosting 12-15 major shows yearly.\n- Fills GTA's need for large outdoor space amid venue shortages, though land eyed for condos by 2030 and permanent plans off table.\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe Toronto Star article confirms Rogers Stadium, Live Nation's temporary 50,000-seat concert venue at former Downsview Airport lands, will operate for at least the next five years. It hosts major acts like Coldplay and Oasis while plans for a permanent replacement remain off the table. This update comes after the venue's first successful summer season in 2025, amid ongoing debates about Toronto's concert capacity. The site is part of a larger redevelopment by Northcrest Developments into housing.\n\n## Key points\n- Rogers Stadium opened in June 2025 after nine months of construction, designed as seasonal open-air facility on 44 acres leased from Northcrest.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Stadium)[[2]](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-a-look-inside-rogers-stadium-the-50000-person-concert-venue-built-in)\n- Confirmed to run at least five years (through about 2030), partially dismantled each winter and rebuilt in spring for 12-15 events annually.[[3]](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rogers-stadium-is-here-for-at-least-the-next-five-years-but-will-a-permanent/article_aee72852-650b-4f7b-9e57-443da244784d.html)[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Stadium)\n- No plans for permanence; land slated for residential and mixed-use development in Northcrest's decades-long $30 billion YZD project.[[4]](https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2024/09/26/live-nation-reveals-construction-plans-for-50000-capacity-stadium-in-toronto)[[5]](https://www.thegrindmag.ca/how-torontos-concert-venue-landscape-changed-in-2025)\n- Urban experts view Downsview location as intriguing for access via highways and transit but challenging due to distance from downtown core.[[3]](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rogers-stadium-is-here-for-at-least-the-next-five-years-but-will-a-permanent/article_aee72852-650b-4f7b-9e57-443da244784d.html)\n- First season generated over **$500 million** in economic activity from 14 shows, despite complaints on traffic, noise, and logistics.[[6]](https://www.thestar.com/business/rogers-stadium-generates-criticism--as-well-as-hundreds-of-millions-for-the-economy-according-to-report/article_6b448155-4be6-449f-ae0b-1489e0a7ddfd.html)\n\n## Details and context\nRogers Stadium fills a gap in Toronto's live music scene, where demand for stadium-scale tours outstrips supply from venues like Budweiser Stage (now RBC Amphitheatre, closing 2027 for rebuild) and Scotiabank Arena. Live Nation built it quickly as a stopgap, investing millions recouped after about three years of use.[[2]](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-a-look-inside-rogers-stadium-the-50000-person-concert-venue-built-in)\n\nThe Downsview site offers space and parking but draws criticism for remoteness—Chris Martin called it a \"weird stadium in the middle of nowhere\"—and transit reliance on buses from subway ends.[[7]](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/weird-stadium-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-coldplays-chris-martin-makes-dig-at-rogers-stadium/article_ae1d5550-a733-4ac1-8ca2-1d1f1d874447.html)\n\nPost-five years, the venue faces demolition for housing; Live Nation execs focus on current operations without committing to extensions.[[8]](https://news.pollstar.com/2025/07/08/live-nation-canadas-erik-hoffman-talks-new-50000-capacity-temporary-toronto-stadium-opening-with-stray-kids-coldplay-concerts)\n\n## Key quotes\n> \"The temporary venue will host major acts for several years, but plans for a permanent facility remain off the table.\"[[3]](https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rogers-stadium-is-here-for-at-least-the-next-five-years-but-will-a-permanent/article_aee72852-650b-4f7b-9e57-443da244784d.html)\n\n## Why it matters\nToronto lacks enough large outdoor spots for global tours, pushing shows to U.S. cities or indoor venues. Fans get reliable access to megastars at **50,000 capacity** for five years, while promoters book more dates amid high demand. Watch Live Nation's talks with Northcrest on extensions and RBC Amphitheatre's 2029 return, though redevelopment timelines could shift.","hashtags":["#toronto","#music","#live-events","#concerts","#stadiums","#livenation"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/rogers-stadium-is-here-for-at-least-the-next-five-years-but-will-a-permanent/article_aee72852-650b-4f7b-9e57-443da244784d.html","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Stadium","title":""},{"url":"https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/article-a-look-inside-rogers-stadium-the-50000-person-concert-venue-built-in","title":""},{"url":"https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2024/09/26/live-nation-reveals-construction-plans-for-50000-capacity-stadium-in-toronto","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thegrindmag.ca/how-torontos-concert-venue-landscape-changed-in-2025","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thestar.com/business/rogers-stadium-generates-criticism--as-well-as-hundreds-of-millions-for-the-economy-according-to-report/article_6b448155-4be6-449f-ae0b-1489e0a7ddfd.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/weird-stadium-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-coldplays-chris-martin-makes-dig-at-rogers-stadium/article_ae1d5550-a733-4ac1-8ca2-1d1f1d874447.html","title":""},{"url":"https://news.pollstar.com/2025/07/08/live-nation-canadas-erik-hoffman-talks-new-50000-capacity-temporary-toronto-stadium-opening-with-stray-kids-coldplay-concerts","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T19:47:41.548Z","createdAt":"2026-04-08T19:47:41.548Z","articlePublishedAt":null}