Taylor Swift to play 1st of 6 sold out Toronto shows

After a long wait, Taylor Swift is finally set to kick off the first of six sold-out shows in Toronto at the Rogers Centre. Fans, known as Swifties, are expected to flood the streets of Toronto over the course of her record-breaking Eras Tour, which has become the first tour in history to gross over $1 billion. The anticipation for her concerts is so high that resale nosebleed tickets were selling for upwards of $2,000 on Wednesday, although police have warned fans to be cautious of scammers.

Swift will be performing at the Rogers Centre on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as on November 21, 22, and 23. The city is expecting up to 500,000 visitors to attend her shows, generating an estimated $282 million for Toronto, according to Destination Toronto, a non-profit representing the city’s tourism sector.

Excited fans began gathering outside the Rogers Centre early Thursday afternoon, singing along to Swift’s discography blasting from loudspeakers. The energy and excitement in the air are palpable as fans eagerly await the start of the concert.

In addition to the concerts, fan events are planned at various venues across Toronto on show dates. Tay BoBo, a Taylor Swift drag artist, is hosting an Eras Tour drag brunch at O’Grady’s on Church Street, with demand for Taylor Swift drag queens spiking during these two weeks. Other events like friendship bracelet-making workshops and Taylor Swift trivia nights are also taking place throughout the city.

For some fans, attending Swift’s concert is a dream come true. Marsha Stagg, who flew into Toronto from Halifax, is hoping to snag last-minute tickets for her and her best friend, who is flying in from Calgary and battling Stage 4 cancer. Swift’s show is on her friend’s bucket list, and Stagg is determined to make it happen.

As the city gears up for the influx of fans, the TTC will be providing extra service on subway lines downtown in the hours before and after the concerts, with no planned closures. Additional service will also be available on select streetcar routes to accommodate the increased demand.

For those attending the concert, Rogers Centre gates will open at 4:30 p.m., with the show starting at 6:45 p.m. Rising singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams will be opening for Swift at all her Toronto shows. Ticketholders are reminded not to arrive or line up before 3:30 p.m. on show dates.

As Swift takes the stage for her highly anticipated concerts, the city of Toronto is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. From fan events to last-minute ticket hunts, Swifties are ready to make the most of these unforgettable nights with their beloved pop superstar.