People have been flocking to Toronto’s Ontario Place for live since the funky circular Forum opened in the spring of 1971. It’s long gone, of course, replaced by the much bigger Molson Amphitheatre in 1995. And over the last 30 years, the place has seen many renovations as well as being renamed Budweiser Stage in time for the 2018 outdoor concert season.
Now, more changes.
First, it will now be known as the RBC Amphitheatre. (RBC has been a Live Nation partner since 2017.) It will operate this way for 2026 and 2027 before being closed for extensive renovations. It will re-open in 2029 not just a place to go for shows in the summer, but a year-round venue. (The winter functions probably won’t be ready until 2030.)
The new facility will come with:
- Expanded year-round capacity to 1.5 million fans annually.
- Summer capacity will be upped from the current 18,000-ish. That will be done by making space available for another 2,000 people on a new lawn area.
- Winter capacity–everything closed in with movable a panels–will be 9,000.
- Better sound and acoustics.
- A second pedestrian bridge to improve access from Exhibition Place parking.
- More places to buy food and beveridges
- “Upgraded hospitality areas and a new lookout deck with elevator access to the lawn.”
- RBC customers will be able to use their Avion points to buy tickets to Live Nation events at the venue.
- All sorts of green and sustainable features.
What about 2028 through to the reopening in 2029? “Further information on a temporary solution to host shows during the closure will be shared once confirmed.”
