The RBC Amphitheatre alone will host between 85-90 shows this summer<\/p>\n
Published May 16, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 8\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 6 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s outdoor concert season officially kicks off this week as both the newly renamed RBC Amphitheatre and Rogers Stadium open for business on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, with shows by Imagine Dragons and Bruno Mars.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very robust and very serious schedule for Toronto music fans this summer,\u201d said Erik Hoffman, the president of Music (Canada) at Live Nation Entertainment.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He said both venues are about to enjoy record seasons with Mars \u2013 the undisputed concert king this summer \u2013 performing five shows to open Rogers Stadium<\/a> for its second year in operation.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s record-breaking in terms of show count,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cAt the amphitheatre we\u2019re going to be anywhere from 85-90 shows (up) from 73 last year. And so that\u2019s the busiest, largest amphitheatre in North America.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then the (Rogers) Stadium we\u2019re at 20 shows now. It\u2019s the busiest summer we\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n This despite what the New York Post\u2019s Page Six calls \u201cblue dot fever\u201d \u2013 indicating a high number of concert tickets available via blue dots when you go on TicketMaster\u2019s site \u2013 that allegedly led to both Meghan Trainor and the Pussycat Dolls cancelling their summer treks, including June 16 and July 3 stops, respectively, at the RBC Amphitheatre.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Post Malone and Jelly Roll also postponed the first three weeks of their tour but are still coming to Rogers Stadium on June 16.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are not victims of the blue dot (fever) here in Toronto,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cBut sometimes people make decisions around their tours and if affects the whole tour. There are no sales concerns for us in Toronto.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoffman said other hot selling Toronto shows besides Mars are Luke Combs, June 5-6, Noah Kahan, June 28, Foo Fighters, Aug. 4, Usher and Chris Brown, Aug. 11-12, BTS, Aug. 22-23, Chris Stapleton, Aug. 6 and Sept. 1, and AC\/DC, Sept. 16 \u2013 all at Rogers Stadium in Downsview.<\/p>\n Also a huge deal concert-wise is the return of Toronto prog-rock outfit Rush<\/a> with new female drummer Anika Nilles filling in for Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020, as the hometown heroes play four shows at Scotiabank Arena on Aug. 7, 9, 11 and 13.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so thrilled for them,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cObviously to have those shows in Toronto \u2013 those will be incredible nights.\u201d<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And after some first year operating kinks at Rogers Stadium concerning transit, parking, egress, bathrooms, water and traffic, the second year should go a lot smoother.<\/p>\n \u201cThe TTC is still the quickest and easiest way to get to the venue, that said we have added parking on site \u2013 a limited amount \u2013 but increased from last year,\u201d said Nathalie Burri, senior vice president of operations at Live Nation Canada.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is that everything is pre-purchased so patrons will have the opportunity to buy parking in advance online.\u201d<\/p>\n As for traffic, Burri said they\u2019ve added a connection point from the concert site out to Allen Rd., \u201cwhich get cars off of the south end of our site out the east end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to limit the traffic on Beffort, which was the road that runs parallel to the neighbourhood,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve added some new pedestrian pathways. And our goal is to route traffic away from residential areas.\u201d<\/p>\n As for better access to water and bathrooms on site, Burri said this year\u2019s there\u2019s a new app for Rogers Stadium downloadable through the Apple Store Google Play to \u201chelp you navigate when you arrive,\u201d and better signage.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Burri also said there\u2019s a new pathway that will make Sheppard West subway station \u201ca lot more accessible at the beginning of the night and at the end of the night so we\u2019re going to try to split the crowds a bit more easily between the three stations (including Downsview Park and Wilson) that service us.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Live album from The Tragically Hip’s final cross-Canada tour being released<\/p>\n <\/a> Glenn Gould prize winner Elton John on Canada: ‘It\u2019s not the 51st state’<\/p>\n <\/a> Bonnie Tyler, singer of Total Eclipse of the Heart, in induced coma in Portugal<\/p>\n <\/a>Festivals returning and new ones<\/p>\n Returning music festivals include Luminato (June 3-28), NXNE (June 10-14), Toronto Jazz Festival (June 19-28), and VELD Music Festival at Downsview Park (July 31-Aug. 2).<\/p>\n There\u2019s also the second edition of the All Things Go Festival with Kesha and The Beaches headlining on June 6 and Lorde headlining on June 7 at the RBC Amphitheatre.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s got a great inclusive message that does celebrate the LGBTQ community, it celebrates women, and it\u2019s a very contemporary, updated version,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s really striking a chord. It will be sold out.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Meanwhile, OVO Fest, typically put on by Toronto rapper Drake at the RBC Amphitheatre during the Caribbean Carnival, which runs July 30-Aug. 3 this year, is still a big question mark after not returning last year.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not in the business of speculating or commenting on Drake\u2019s plans,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cWhenever he wants to come and do something, we\u2019re very happy to take the call.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoffman does confirm there will be no shows at the RBC Amphtitheatre during FIFA World Cup games across the street at BMO Field in June and July.<\/p>\n \u201cWe decided that we wouldn\u2019t play a show on match day,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was just common sense.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Bruno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/960675714.jpg\")
Bruno Mars speaks onstage during the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Kevin Winter\/Getty Images)Article content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.2.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"Dave](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foo-Fighters-concert-files-Sept18.jpg\")
Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters looks out towards fans during a concert at the Verdun Auditorium in the Montreal area, July 10, 2023. Photo by John Kenney \/ Files \/MONTREAL GAZETTENoah Kahan and Foo Fighters among the big summer tickets<\/p>\n![\"opening](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.2.1\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-sun-middaySun.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-13-105309-e1778688162553.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Elton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-10-035035.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Welsh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2274368719_302985941-e1778171697770.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/music-dixie-chicks.jpg\")
Emily Robison, left, and Martie Maguire, right, adjust Natalie Maines\u2019 hair as The Chicks perform at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo by Gus Ruelas \/Supplied<\/p>\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-04-14-131051-e1744650685321.png\")
One of a Kind Rush Gibson Prototype Guitar signed by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart in 2010. wine.waddingtons.caJANE\u2019S TOP TEN SUMMER CONCERT PICKS<\/p>\n