Photo Credit: Live Nation

Flaunt Weeekly Live Nation has plans to build a temporary, open-air music venue for 50,000 people on the grounds of the former Downsview Airport (YZD) in north Toronto.

“This was a natural response to an unprecedented level of stadium-level artists on the road today,” said President, Music, Live Nation Canada Eric Hoffman at a press conference alongside Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “We now have another home for them to perform. The Rogers Stadium will host its first concerts in June 2025.

Live Nation says there will be an emphasis on catering to the diverse communities of the greater Toronto area, with some of the acts scheduled including some of the biggest names in K-pop, Afrobeats, Latin, and Punjabi music. The new venue is being positioned as a major upgrade from the current stage at Downsview, which has a capacity of 40,000. Hoffman described the new venue as a “premium music festival.” Live Nation has declined to share the expected cost of the project.

Rogers Stadium will operate seasonally and is expected to provide a boost to the province’s arts, culture, and tourism sectors. The 150-hectare Downsview Airport Lands are in the early phases of a three-decades long residential and commercial redevelopment plan led by Northcrest Developments. The Rogers Stadium will operate for several years before the land is turned into neighborhoods intended to house more than 55,000 people.

“The number of stadium-level acts touring today is unprecedented, with more acts than available nights at existing venues,” Hoffman continues. “That’s why we’re making this investment—to ensure Toronto fans don’t miss out on world-class artists. Rogers Stadium will not only meet this demand but also offer a premium stadium show experience, combined with the festival vibe that our fans love.”

“This is a natural evolution of our stadium programming and we’re excited to bring this new venue to life with our partners at Rogers while continuing to book world-class shows at Rogers Centre as well.”

“I’m so pleased to welcome Live Nation and the future Rogers Stadium to YZD,” adds Premier Doug Ford. “This exciting venue will bring even more tourists and investment to our province, boosting local business, creating new jobs, and drawing in artists and events from around the world.”

Rogers Stadium will be strategically positioned at the north end of the former airport’s runway, serving as the temporary live venue as the $30 billion construction masterplan unfolds over the coming years. The stadium is centrally located, with easy access to highways and public transit connections. Live Nation expects the stadium to inject an estimated $80-$100M into the local economy during its operation.