Rogers Stadium’s highly anticipated debut on June 29 was supposed to be a celebration of live music in Toronto, but for many fans, it turned into a night of logistical nightmares, safety concerns, and accessibility issues.
More than 50,000 concert-goers gathered at the new outdoor venue, located on the former Downsview Airport lands, to see K-pop group Stray Kids perform. While some attendees described the show as electric and well-run, many others took to social media and Reddit to call out what they say were serious organizational failures.
From lengthy walks to the venue, to long lines for water and washrooms, and even unstable bleacher-style seating, critics say the venue wasn’t ready for an event of that scale.
One Reddit user summed up the chaos, writing, “The venue is literally just bleachers. They shook the entire concert… It feels so unstable and scary.”
For fans with disabilities, the issues were especially acute. The 20–25 minute walk from the nearest subway station became a major barrier, and many said the site lacked proper accommodations for wheelchair users and others with mobility issues. “Anyone I saw with mobility issues had the worst time of their life,” a post read.
Reports of people fainting due to overcrowding, delays in emergency response, and confusion over exits and transit added to the concerns. One user described the exit as “people packed like sardines,” with some fans even missing their final GO Train.
However, the night wasn’t a complete disaster for all. Several fans countered the backlash with more positive takes, citing smooth transit, short lines, and helpful signage. One user wrote, “The vibes were immaculate,” while another noted, “This was by far the best experience I’ve had.”
In response to the criticism, Live Nation issued a statement acknowledging the problems and pledging quick improvements.
“We are already making adjustments based on fan and community feedback and will continue to refine our operations,” a spokesperson said.
Live Nation emphasized that accessibility has been a key part of the stadium’s planning from the beginning and said further enhancements are on the way. The company also addressed the controversial bleacher movement, explaining that “slight movement in the upper grandstands” is part of the design and meets international safety codes.
They added that it is working closely with the City of Toronto, TTC, Metrolinx, and emergency services to improve crowd management, transportation, and on-site amenities for upcoming shows.
Despite the rough start, Live Nation called the Stray Kids concert “a landmark moment” and thanked fans for their patience. Rogers Stadium has a packed summer ahead, with Coldplay, BLACKPINK, Chris Brown, Oasis, System of a Down, and Hozier all slated to perform over the next few months.
Still, with so many large-scale shows ahead, fans are hoping that the opening night chaos was just growing pains—and not a sign of what’s to come.
