July 7, 2025
RED FM News Desk
As British rock band Coldplay prepares to take the stage tonight for the first of four sold-out shows at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium, event organizers say they are implementing a series of crowd control improvements following issues at the venue’s debut concert last weekend.
The newly opened outdoor music venue near Downsview Park drew criticism from concertgoers who reported long delays exiting the stadium, some waiting up to two hours, as well as limited access to drinking water, including hour-long lineups at bottle-filling stations that, in some cases, dispensed warm water.
In response, Live Nation Canada, which operates the stadium, announced it will be making several adjustments to enhance the fan experience. These include additional signage, improved lighting, more staff on site, and increased access to water stations.
Exit routes will also be reconfigured to better manage post-show crowds, directing attendees toward all three nearby subway stations instead of funneling everyone toward Downsview Park Station, which also services GO Transit passengers.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has confirmed it will deploy more staff at Downsview Park and Wilson stations during concert nights to support crowd flow. Metrolinx, meanwhile, stated it will “closely monitor” GO train ridership levels during events at the venue.
Ticketmaster also issued a pre-show notice to Coldplay ticket holders, warning that cellular reception at Rogers Stadium gates may be limited due to the venue’s large capacity.
Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak, whose ward includes the Downsview Park area, said key stakeholders met this week to address concerns raised after the first event. “Respectful but blunt conversations took place with Live Nation and Northcrest Developments to ensure the necessary improvements are made,” he said in a social media post. “With concerts scheduled all summer and shortcomings apparent from the first performance, we put pressure on all responsible parties to sort out concerns.”
Coldplay’s highly anticipated shows are expected to draw tens of thousands of fans each night, putting these adjustments to the test.
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