New open air music venue to be constructed in Toronto

Live Nation has announced plans to build a temporary, open-air music venue at the former Downsview Airport (YZD) in north Toronto.

This venue, with a capacity of 50,000, will serve as a significant upgrade from the current Downsview stage, which holds 40,000 people.

The decision to create this venue comes in response to the increasing number of stadium-level artists touring globally, outpacing the availability of suitable venues.

As stated by Erik Hoffman, President of Music at Live Nation Canada, “This was a natural response to an unprecedented level of stadium-level artists on the road today. We now have another home for them to perform.”

Rogers Stadium, the name given to this new venue, is set to host its first concerts in June 2025. It will operate seasonally, offering a platform for large-scale concerts and events until the land is fully developed into residential and commercial neighborhoods as part of a broader redevelopment plan led by Northcrest Developments.

This redevelopment will transform the 150-hectare Downsview Airport Lands into communities that will eventually house more than 55,000 people over the next three decades.

The venue will focus on embracing Toronto’s rich cultural diversity, with an emphasis on acts from genres such as K-pop, Afrobeats, Latin, and Punjabi music.

According to Hoffman, the venue is being positioned as a “premium music festival” experience, offering fans a unique combination of a high-quality stadium atmosphere and the dynamic energy of a music festival.

Although Live Nation has not disclosed the specific cost of the project, the company anticipates that the venue will significantly boost Toronto’s arts, culture, and tourism sectors. The strategic placement of Rogers Stadium, at the northern end of the former airport’s runway, will offer convenient access via major highways and public transit. The venue is expected to contribute an estimated $80 to $100 million to the local economy during its operation.

The Rogers Stadium is a major part of Live Nation’s broader vision to accommodate the growing demand for stadium-level concerts. As Hoffman highlighted, “The number of stadium-level acts touring today is unprecedented, with more acts than available nights at existing venues. That’s why we’re making this investment—to ensure Toronto fans don’t miss out on world-class artists.” The stadium’s operation will be complemented by continued bookings of large-scale events at Rogers Centre, ensuring a steady influx of world-class shows to Toronto.

Premier Doug Ford, speaking at the announcement alongside Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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.”

The creation of Rogers Stadium represents not only an investment in Toronto’s music and entertainment landscape but also a critical step in the long-term redevelopment of the Downsview area, further integrating arts, culture, and economic growth into the city’s evolving infrastructure.