Fans at the inaugural concert at Toronto’s new Rogers Stadium are expressing their dissatisfaction with crowd control measures, particularly regarding exit procedures after the event. Attendees reported waiting as long as two hours to leave the venue following the performance of the K-pop group Stray Kids. Many fans criticized the system in place, which involved stadium staff releasing concertgoers in batches and directing them towards Downsview Park station, leading to severe congestion. Limited parking facilities encouraged the use of public transportation, but even with added train services post-concert, the transit stations struggled to accommodate the influx of thousands of departing fans.
The experience of attendees like Autumn Halvorsen highlights the logistical challenges posed by the venue’s design. After spending over an hour trying to exit, Halvorsen faced another 20-minute walk to find an available Uber ride, which proved difficult due to the venue’s accessibility issues by car. She described the situation as a “nightmare,” echoing the frustrations of many who took to social media to voice their experiences, including long wait times and prolonged journeys home. This incident has prompted city officials to scrutinize crowd management strategies moving forward.
James Pasternak, the city councillor for Downsview, acknowledged the surge of crowds leaving the stadium and the ensuing chaos. He noted complaints regarding long lines for security and bathrooms, and limited access to hydration in hot weather, which posed potential health risks. In response, Pasternak plans to meet with representatives from Northcrest Developments, which owns the land, and Live Nation Canada, the concert organizer, to address these issues. Aiming for constructive outcomes, he emphasized the need for improvement in managing crowds at large events.
During the concert, fans like Shannon Spencer observed others suffering from heat-related issues while waiting in line for access to free water refill stations, which were reported to be overwhelmed. Spencer expressed her concern for those in distress due to waiting times, indicating the risks associated with hot weather conditions. She herself had to make a challenging decision to leave the concert early for the sake of avoiding chaos post-show, revealing a difficult trade-off between fully enjoying the performance and ensuring her timely and safe return home.
The quality of amenities also drew criticism, as Halvorsen recounted her experience of drinking warm water from refill stations and the decision to purchase a cold bottle from a vendor instead. This served as a reflection of the stadium’s inadequacies concerning basic needs at events, further affecting attendees’ overall experiences. Halvorsen, who traveled a long distance from Michigan to attend the concert, expressed that the unfavorable experience would deter her from returning to the venue, a sentiment echoed by others she encountered during their difficult exit.
Overall, the issues faced by concertgoers underscore the urgent need for a better crowd management strategy at Rogers Stadium. With more performances scheduled throughout the summer, concert attendees hope that the stadium operators will take note of the concerns raised and implement effective solutions to ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for future events. Enhanced planning around entry and exit logistics, adequate provisions for hydration, and improved access to transportation services will be crucial in addressing the challenges highlighted during the opening concert.
