Your Ultimate Guide to Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour Stops in Toronto – CP24

It’s been a long time coming for Canadian Swifties and the wait is over.

Taylor Swift and her top-grossing “The Eras Tour” will make their Canadian debut in Toronto, and hundreds of thousands of fans will visit the city to catch the shows.

So we’ve rounded up everything Swifties need to know about the concerts.

WHEN ARE THE SHOWINGS?

The 34-year-old award-winning singer will play the Rogers Center on November 14th, 15th, 16th and then again on November 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

The Eras Tour began on March 17, 2023 in Arizona, and Swift has played 140 shows on five continents. Three shows in Vienna, Austria, were canceled due to an alleged terrorist plot.

After her six shows in Toronto, the singer will play three nights in BC, ending the tour on December 8th, just days before the pop star’s birthday.

ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

According to Ticketmaster’s website, all dates are sold out. However, the company has reportedly released limited tickets to those who were waitlisted during the initial sale. It is unclear if more tickets will be available.

Some tickets are sold on third-party websites at ridiculous prices.

The Rogers Center says screenshots of ticket barcodes and paper or PDF tickets are not valid and will not be accepted. Tickets accessed using the Ticketmaster app are the only ones allowed and scanned on the website.

WHICH SONGS ARE ON THE SET LIST?

Based on previous shows, Taylor Swift is expected to sing over 40 songs for three and a half hours. The concert is divided into several “eras,” each representing her 11 studio albums, including “The Tortured Poets Department,” released earlier this year (and recently nominated for a Grammy).

The set list includes her No. 1 hits: “Cruel Summer,” “Anti-Hero,” “Blank Space,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version),” ” Bad Blood” and “Fortnight”.

She is also expected to play two surprise songs each concert.

IS THERE AN OPENING LAW?

Yes. Gracie Abrams will open for Swift at all of her Toronto concerts. Abrams, daughter of director JJ Abrams, released her debut single in 2019. She released her second studio album this year, which features the song “Us” featuring Swift.

WHEN DO THE ROGERS CENTER GATES OPEN?

According to the Rogers Centre, the gates open at 4:30 p.m., and fans are not permitted to arrive or set up before 4 p.m. 15.30 on exhibition days.

The show time is indicated at 18:45

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?

Swifties may bring a small bag which is either a plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ with or without a handle or strap.

There will be no bag storage or coat check at the dome. Only oversized bags with breast pumps and medical equipment are allowed.

Fans are advised not to bring gifts to Swift as they will not be accepted or picked up.

The Eras Tour has been known for friendship bracelets with fans trading them during concerts.

The Rogers Center says all friendship bracelets must fit your person. Metal or plastic carabiners, hooks/rings for shower curtains and bags with additional friendship bracelets are not permitted.

Fans may bring signs no larger than 11×17” or A3 paper. Signage that is inappropriate, illegal, obscene, obstructive, derogatory, offensive, objectionable or intended to draw attention to international, political or other similar events, causes or conflicts is not permitted inside.

Fans may bring a small, factory-sealed, soft, clear plastic water bottle (500ml or less). No outside food and drink is allowed.

LOOKING FOR MERCH?

The Rogers Center says official merch will be available inside and at select exterior locations on site.

On show days, ticketed fans can only purchase merch.

For those without tickets, they can purchase merchandise at Gate 1, 5 and 9A on November 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20 between 10 and 20. Fans must not queue before

COME ABOUT TORONTO

The downtown core will be busy, especially on show days, prompting officials to urge those without tickets not to travel to the core. There are also other events that happen during that time, including Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors games and the Santa Clause Parade.

Concertgoers are advised to use transit to get downtown. The city has also designated some dedicated drop-off and pick-up locations. There are also road closures to keep in mind, so here’s what you need to know.

TTC, GO TRANSIT, UP EXPESS

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Toronto’s public transit system, is increasing service on several routes to accommodate fans. There will be dozens of staff to help fans get where they need to go.

If you’re flying into Toronto for the concerts, you can take the UP Express train downtown or take the TTC’s 900 express bus to Kipling Station, where you can take the subway to Union Station or other destinations in the city.

GO Transit, Ontario’s regional line, also operates special event service during the concerts on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines. There will also be late-night special event trips on the Milton Line, and service on the Kitchener, Barrie and Stouffville lines will be adjusted.

“There will also be a special event service on some bus routes. Some bus trips will be modified to accommodate expected heavy traffic in downtown Toronto.”

DEDICATED ZONES

The city has dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones. They are located at:

• Front Street West between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue (south side)

• Bay Street between Richmond and Wellington streets (west side)

• York Street between Wellington and Adelaide streets (west side)

• Queens Quay between Bay and Freeland streets (south side)

• Lake Shore Boulevard at Rees Street (north side)

The Rogers Center says fans requiring accessible pick-up or drop-off must speak with staff on duty to access the following area:

• Gate 7 – located on the south side of Rogers Center off Bremner Boulevard, accessible via Rees Street off Lakeshore Boulevard
• Gate 13 – located in the northwest corner of Blue Jays Way. Recommended accessible access for ticket holders in TD Executive Suites, Ticketmaster Lounge, Premier Suite, TD Executive Lounge and TD Summit Suite.

PARKING

The city says more than 2,000 parking spaces will be available at Green P parking garages at 40 York Street and 2 Church Street, both located within a “convenient distance” of the Rogers Centre.

The city is running a special event promotion at these two parking lots as well as at 10 Portland Street, with a price of $19.89. (More info here.)

Limited parking is also available at Exhibition Place at 6 Saskatchewan Road and 20 British Columbia Road.

The Rogers Center says there is no on-site parking.

ROAD GAMES

On concert dates, the following roads will be closed:

• 1 p.m. – westbound lanes on Bremner Boulevard between Rees Street and Navy Wharf Court; eastbound lanes remain open to two-way traffic
• 10pm – Front Street between Blue Jays Way and Simcoe Street; John Street south of Wellington Street; Windsor Street south of Wellington Street
• 11 p.m. – Eastbound and westbound Gardiner Expressway exits to Spadina Avenue

The city says there will be additional road closures for crowds and traffic management.

All roads and ramps will reopen when traffic and crowds clear, which is expected to be at 01.00 after each concert.

In the meantime, the following roads will be restricted to local traffic only (residents and businesses) from 14.00 on concert dates:

• Bremner Boulevard between Spadina Avenue and Simcoe Street

• Northbound lanes on Rees Street. Southbound lanes will remain open to two-way traffic, including an accessible entry point.

• Blue Jays Way between Spadina Avenue and south of Front Street

• The Marriott Hotel will be accessible from Front Street via Blue Jays Way.

Access to condominiums will be via a police checkpoint at the Spadina Avenue and Bremner Boulevard intersection.

Lake Shore Boulevard will be reduced to two westbound lanes at the intersection with Rees Street for a drop-off/pick-up location.

BICYCLE PART

The city says there is a $19.89 three-day “Swiftie Pass” for cyclists from Nov. 13 to 23 for three days with purchase.

Two Bike Share service stations are in operation each night during the concert, guaranteeing free docks and bikes for cyclists.

RESTRICTED ACTIVITY ZONE

From November 14 to November 23, the restricted activity zone applies between King, Jarvis and Bathurst streets and Queens Quay.

The city says planned work requiring a road occupation permit will not be allowed on concert dates within the zone.

Work can be done in this zone on weekdays without a concert between 7 and at 19, until approval from the municipality.

NON-ERA TOUR TREATMENTS

If you’re one of the unlucky fans who doesn’t have a ticket, there are several events happening across the city over the two weekends.

TAYLGATE

A pre-party will be held for fans at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which is down the street from the Rogers Centre.

From From 1pm to 11pm on each show day, Swifties – with or without tickets to the pop star’s concerts – can check out live DJ sets or take part in either a sing-along or interactive dance. There will also be a glam station, bracelet making and places to take photos.

Those planning to go can purchase tickets online for $55.

TAYLOR SWIFT WAY

The city is also hosting pre-concert programming along Taylor Swift Way, a tribute route connecting Nathan Phillips Square to the Rogers Center this month.

Dubbed the “TO Poets Department,” the programming features family-friendly and free public activations. It is curated by the city’s poet laureate Lilian Allen with support from the city’s youth poet laureate Shahaddah Jack.

It will include roaming poets reciting poetry along the route on concert dates from 1 to 4 p.m., interactive large blocks with another word taken from Taylor Swift lyrics and street talk templates, which show poetry drawn along sidewalks.

With files from CP24 and CTV Toronto staff