Latest news with #LiveNationCanada
Global News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Free transit, fan-zone ferris wheel: Toronto's Rogers Stadium set to open
Live Nation Canada is offering a first look at a new open-air music venue set to host some of the world's biggest acts this summer. A tour of the expansive 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium at Downsview Park in North York showed blue plastic chairs lining the edge of the venue's bowl, and a stripped-down stage ready to be retrofitted to an artist's needs. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected for a string of 14 concerts running through September, starting Sunday with K-pop group Stray Kids. A ferris wheel anchors the fan zone, where concertgoers can buy food and drinks from vendors, or visit two private eateries that require reservations in advance of a show. The fan zone will open a couple of hours before the start of a show to stagger the entry of attendees. Live Nation President of Music Erik Hoffman says a stadium of this size is 'a need' for the city and will inject $100 million into the local economy this summer. Story continues below advertisement Hoffman said the plan to build Rogers Stadium came about after British rock band Coldplay couldn't find a Toronto venue to put on a show in the timeline it needed. 'The idea was born around trying to facilitate them,' Hoffman said. Hoffman said that Toronto is one of the top cities in North America for concerts, though acts looking to play larger venues would often face scheduling conflicts with sports teams. 'So we realized that we could wait around forever and see if somebody builds something bigger or we can build something for ourselves,' he said. 2:04 Toronto's Rogers Stadium on track to open on time, says Live Nation The other perks of a music-first venue, Hoffman said, include having built-in areas for pyrotechnics and fireworks and not having to work around sports equipment that comes with a stadium. Story continues below advertisement Rogers Stadium is now the second-largest venue in the city behind the Rogers Centre, which has a capacity of around 55,000 and is home to the Toronto Blue Jays when not serving as a concert venue. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Confusion surrounding Rogers Stadium's name because of its similarity to Rogers Centre followed its unveiling late last year, something Hoffman said Live Nation understands and is addressing. 'We put out a big campaign clarifying where you're going,' Hoffman said, adding that Live Nation is confident with the information it's putting out to reduce mix-ups. Following each concert this summer, Metrolinx and TTC are offering free rides home from Downsview Station, which is about 10 minutes from the stadium. The TTC is also offering free rides from Sheppard West, Downsview Park and Wilson Stations. Live Nation says it is covering the cost of the free trips and TTC and Metrolinx will provide additional service on concert nights to help manage crowds. While the two August shows by Brit rockers Oasis are sold out, tickets to Coldplay's four nights in July are available through resale and vary in price from several hundred dollars to more than $1,500. Hoffman said ticket prices are set by artists who charge 'what they have to' to put on a large-scale show. 'The scope of a lot of these productions are incredible,' Hoffman said. 'So there are a bunch of costs associated with that.' Story continues below advertisement Although Thursday's tour was dampened by rain, Nathalie Burri, vice president of venues and operations at Live Nation, said events will proceed on rain or shine, just like any festival experience. 'Weather is a massive focus for us,' said Burri. 'The site is very large so there are places we can move people to if there is weather in certain pockets and immediately over us as well.' Concerts will only be cancelled in the case of severe weather, said Burri, adding that a meteorologist is on-site to make that call. Nurses and doctors will also be available to provide care so as to not inundate hospitals. Rogers Stadium will only operate in the summer months, which explains the site's weather-resistant, modular infrastructure, Burri said. 6:00 Municipal Matters: AI and future of Rogers Stadium There are a few white tent structures littered throughout the fan zone that provide areas of shade or protection from rain, along with flushable toiles and sensory, prayer and breast-feeding rooms. Story continues below advertisement 'We've built this so everything is super convenient for fans, staff and artists,' Burri said. While fans are being encouraged to take public transportation, Burri said limited on-site parking exists for premium and accessibility ticket holders. There is also passenger drop off and ride-share area. Behind the stage, an artist space of trailers connected with overhead string lights contain green rooms, a laundry facility, gym and recording studio. Rogers announced earlier this week that it's bringing 5G technology to Rogers Stadium through a $5.2 million in-building network system investment to support all fans at the venue. There is also an on-site entrance exclusively reserved for Rogers customers. The new stadium is fully funded by Live Nation, Burri said, and doesn't interfere with any plans to redevelop the 150-hectare former Downsview Airport lands over the next 30 years. As a temporary venue, Hoffman said Live Nation is still working on what elements of the stadium will stick around for the fall and winter months and how long the stadium will live at Downsview Park. 'It won't be here forever, but it will be here for the next bunch of years for sure,' Hoffman said.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
From free transit to a fan zone ferris wheel: a sneak peek at Toronto's Rogers Stadium ahead of 1st show
TORONTO - Live Nation Canada is offering a first look at a new open-air music venue set to host some of the world's biggest acts this summer. A tour of the expansive 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium at Downsview Park in North York showed blue plastic chairs lining the edge of the venue's bowl, and a stripped-down stage ready to be retrofitted to an artist's needs. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected for a string of 14 concerts running through September, starting Sunday with K-pop group Stray Kids. A ferris wheel anchors the fan zone, where concertgoers can buy food and drinks from vendors, or visit two private eateries that require reservations. Live Nation President of Music Erik Hoffman says a stadium of this size is 'a need' for the city and will inject $100 million into the local economy. Metrolinx and TTC will both offer free rides from Downsview Station, which is about 10 minutes from the stadium. While the two August shows by Brit rockers Oasis are sold out, tickets to Coldplay's four nights in July are available through re-sale and vary in price from several hundred dollars to more than $1,500. Hoffman says ticket prices are set by artists who charge 'what they have to' to put on a large-scale show. Although Thursday's tour was dampened by rain, Live Nation representatives say events will proceed on rain or shine, just like any festival experience. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
From free transit to a fan zone ferris wheel: a sneak peek at Toronto's Rogers Stadium ahead of 1st show
TORONTO – Live Nation Canada is offering a first look at a new open-air music venue set to host some of the world's biggest acts this summer. A tour of the expansive 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium at Downsview Park in North York showed blue plastic chairs lining the edge of the venue's bowl, and a stripped-down stage ready to be retrofitted to an artist's needs. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected for a string of 14 concerts running through September, starting Sunday with K-pop group Stray Kids. A ferris wheel anchors the fan zone, where concertgoers can buy food and drinks from vendors, or visit two private eateries that require reservations. Live Nation President of Music Erik Hoffman says a stadium of this size is 'a need' for the city and will inject $100 million into the local economy. Metrolinx and TTC will both offer free rides from Downsview Station, which is about 10 minutes from the stadium. While the two August shows by Brit rockers Oasis are sold out, tickets to Coldplay's four nights in July are available through re-sale and vary in price from several hundred dollars to more than $1,500. Hoffman says ticket prices are set by artists who charge 'what they have to' to put on a large-scale show. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. Although Thursday's tour was dampened by rain, Live Nation representatives say events will proceed on rain or shine, just like any festival experience. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Block (NYSE:XYZ) Seals Exclusive Payment Partnership With Live Nation Canada
Recent developments at Block, including an expanded partnership with Live Nation Canada, have highlighted the company's commitment to enhancing customer experiences through strategic technology applications. Despite a decrease in revenue and net income for Q1 2025, the company's share price rose by nearly 15% over the last quarter, potentially influenced by these positive collaborations and product innovations like the new Square Handheld device. The company's initiatives may have supported broader market trends, where the market has risen 1.9% in the past week and 12% over the year, indicating a solid recovery momentum. We've identified 1 weakness for Block that you should be aware of. This technology could replace computers: discover the 25 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. The recent partnership between Block and Live Nation Canada is poised to bolster Block's diverse ecosystem, potentially enhancing customer experiences and engagement. This initiative aligns with Block's narrative of leveraging strategic collaborations and product innovations, like the Square Handheld device. These moves might have contributed to the company's 15% share price increase over the last quarter, despite a decrease in both revenue and earnings for Q1 2025. Additionally, Block's shares saw a total return of 3.24% over the past year, which, when juxtaposed with the broader market's 12.2% rise in the same timeframe, denotes underperformance. Comparatively, the US Diversified Financial industry experienced a 21.6% increase, highlighting Block's relative lag to its peers over the past year. The developments could potentially stimulate future revenue and earnings growth, with Block's emphasis on expanding Cash App features and Bitcoin initiatives expected to raise user engagement. Analyst forecasts see revenue growing by 11% annually over the next three years, with earnings expected to rise substantially. However, regulatory and economic challenges pose risks that could impact these forecasts. Current analyst consensus sets Block's price target at US$96.99, which is 9.6% above the current share price of US$87.68, indicating room for growth if the company's strategic initiatives bear fruit. Evaluate Block's prospects by accessing our earnings growth report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NYSE:XYZ. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Square and Live Nation Canada Announce Official Partnership, Extending Seamless Commerce to Rogers Stadium and Beyond
Article content Square is Live Nation Canada's exclusive point of sale and payment processing partner at major concert venues and festivals across the country Article content TORONTO — Square is enhancing Canada's live music experience this summer, making food, beverage and concert merchandise purchases faster and more convenient than ever at some of the country's top music destinations. Building on a successful presence at landmark venues such as Toronto's Budweiser Stage and Veld Music Festival since 2022, Square and Live Nation Canada are now expanding their relationship into an official partnership—marked by Square's rollout at the new Rogers Stadium starting on June 29. Article content With Live Nation Canada and Square's exclusive three-year agreement, Square will continue to power seamless commerce experiences for fans at all Live Nation Canada venues, with Rogers Stadium becoming the latest to unlock Square's next-generation technology. This expanded partnership cements Square as the exclusive point of sale and payment processing provider at Live Nation Canada's venues and major festivals from coast to coast. Article content 'Square is the trusted payments and commerce platform for large-scale live entertainment venues around the world, and we're excited to expand our partnership with Live Nation Canada to help them create unforgettable experiences for millions of Canadian fans every year,' said Nick Molnar, Global Head of Sales at Block, which includes Square and Cash App. 'Every minute saved in line is another memory made at the show. With Square's powerful ecosystem of hardware and software products, Live Nation Canada will enable fans to spend more time enjoying their favourite artists.' Article content Square's technology ecosystem at Live Nation Canada venues and festivals across the country include the fully integrated Square Register to allow for seamless checkout, compact Square Terminal and newly launched Square Handheld devices—Square's most sleek, portable and powerful POS yet—to enable vendors to manage payments right from their pocket. Square Online's eCommerce capabilities also enable in-seat ordering at Budweiser Stage's premium in-suite section for added customer convenience. Article content In addition to food and beverage processing, Square will also provide point of sale and payments for merchandise locations within Toronto's new Rogers Stadium, scheduled to open its doors on June 29. Article content Square technology is currently live at: Article content Budweiser Stage, Toronto HISTORY, Toronto Danforth Music Hall, Toronto Opera House, Toronto The MOD Club, Toronto Midway Music Hall, Edmonton Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver KEE to Bala, Bala Article content Upcoming festivals supported by Square include: Article content Veld Music Festival, Toronto Electric Island, Toronto Badlands, Calgary Chasing Summer, Calgary Escapade, Ottawa Fvded in The Park, Surrey Article content For more information about how Square can support businesses of all types and sizes in Canada, visit Article content About Square Article content Square makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible with its integrated ecosystem of commerce solutions. Square offers purpose-built software to run complex restaurant, retail, and professional services operations, versatile e-commerce tools, embedded financial services, buy now, pay later functionality through Afterpay, staff management and payroll capabilities, and much more – all of which work together to save sellers time and effort. Millions of sellers across the globe trust Square to power their business and help them thrive in the economy. For more information, visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
