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 descend on the city to see the shows.

That’s why we’ve put together everything Swifties need to know about the concerts.

When do the shows take place?

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

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

After her six shows in Toronto, the singer will play three nights in B.C., where the tour ends on December 8, 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 got on the waiting list during the initial sale. It is unclear whether additional tickets will be available.

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

According to Rogers Center, screenshots of ticket barcodes and paper or PDF tickets are invalid and will not be accepted. Tickets accessed through the Ticketmaster app are the only ones that will be admitted and scanned on site.

Which songs are on the setlist?

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 their 11 studio albums, including “The Tortured Poets Department,” which was released earlier this year (and was recently nominated for a Grammy).

The setlist 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 perform two surprise songs at each concert.

IS THERE AN OPENING ACT?

Yes. Gracie Abrams opens for Swift at all of her Toronto concerts. Abrams, the daughter of director JJ Abrams, released her debut single in 2019. This year she released her second studio album with the song “Us” featuring Swift.

When do the gates open at Rogers Center?

According to the Rogers Center, gates open at 4:30 p.m. and fans are not allowed to arrive or line up before 3:30 p.m. on show days.

The show time is listed at 6:45 p.m

WHAT CAN YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

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

There is no luggage storage or cloakroom in the dome. Only oversized bags containing breast pumps and medical equipment are permitted.

Fans are advised not to bring gifts for Swift as they will not be accepted or received.

The Eras Tour is known for the friendship bracelets that fans exchange at concerts.

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

Fans are allowed to bring signs no larger than 11 x 17 inches or A3 paper. Signage that is inappropriate, unlawful, offensive, obstructive, derogatory, insulting or offensive, or intended to draw attention to international, political or similar events, concerns or conflicts is not permitted indoors.

Fans may bring a small, factory-sealed, soft, clear plastic water bottle (500ml or less). No outside food or drinks are permitted.

LOOKING FOR MERCH?

According to Rogers Center, official merchandise will be available indoors and at select outdoor locations on the property.

On show days, fans with tickets can only purchase merch.

Those without a ticket can purchase merchandise at Gates 1, 5 and 9A between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on November 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Fans are not allowed to line up before 9 p.m

STAY IN TORONTO

The city center is particularly busy on event days, prompting those responsible to ask those who do not have tickets not to travel downtown. Other events also take place during this time, including Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors games and the Santa Clause Parade.

Concert goers are recommended to use public transportation to get to the city center. The city has also designated some special drop-off and pick-up points. There are also road closures that you need to keep in mind. Here’s what you need to know.

TTC, GO TRANSIT, UP EXPESS

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Toronto’s public transportation system, is expanding service on several routes to accommodate fans. There will be dozens of staff members helping 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 area Can drive around town.

GO Transit, Ontario’s regional line, also offers special events on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines during the concerts. There will also be late-night special events on the Milton line and service adjustments will be made on the Kitchener, Barrie and Stouffville lines.

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

SPECIAL ZONES

The city has its own drop-off and pick-up zones. You are 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 Street (south side)

• Lake Shore Boulevard at Rees Street (north side)

The Rogers Center says fans requiring accessible pickup or drop-off service should speak with on-duty staff to gain access to the following area:

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

PARK

The city says more than 2,000 parking spaces will be available in the Green P parking garages at 40 York Street and 2 Church Street, both of which are “conveniently located” to the Rogers Center.

The city is running a special promotion at these two parking lots and at 10 Portland Street for $19.89. (More information here.)

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

The Rogers Center says there is no parking on site.

ROAD CLOSURES

The following streets are closed on concert dates:

• 1:00 p.m. – Westbound lanes on Bremner Boulevard between Rees Street and Navy Wharf Court; The eastbound lanes will remain open to oncoming traffic
• 10 p.m. – Front Street between Blue Jays Way and Simcoe Street; John Street south of Wellington Street; Windsor Street south of Wellington Street
• 11:00 p.m. – Gardiner Expressway eastbound and westbound exits to Spadina Avenue

The city says there will be additional selective road closures for crowd control and traffic management reasons.

All streets and ramps will reopen when traffic and crowds ease, which is expected to be around 1 a.m. after each concert.

The following streets are only permitted for residential and commercial traffic from 2:00 p.m. on concert dates:

• Bremner Boulevard between Spadina Avenue and Simcoe Street

• Northbound lanes on Rees Street. The 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 the condominiums is via a police checkpoint at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Bremner Boulevard.

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

BIKE SHARE

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

Two bike share valet stations will be in operation each night of the concert, providing free docks and bikes to cyclists.

LIMITED AREA OF ACTIVITY

The restricted activity zone applies from November 14th to 23rd King, Jarvis and Bathurst Streets and Queens Quay.

The city says planned work requiring a street occupancy permit will not be permitted on concert dates within the zone.

Subject to city approval, work may be carried out in this area on non-concert weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

NON-ERAS TOUR EVENTS

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

TAYLGATE

There will be a pre-show party for fans at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, down the street from the Rogers Centre.

From 1pm to 11pm each performance day, Swifties – whether they have tickets to the pop star’s concerts or not – can attend live DJ sets or take part in either a sing-along or interactive dance. There will also be a glamor station, bracelet making opportunities and photography spots.

Those interested in riding can purchase tickets online for $55.

TAYLOR SWIFT WAY

The city is also hosting a pre-concert program this month along Taylor Swift Way, a volunteer route that connects Nathan Phillips Square to the Rogers Center.

The program, called “TO Poets Department,” offers family-friendly and free public activations. It is curated by Municipal Poet Laureate Lilian Allen, with support from the city’s youth poet Shahaddah Jack.

These include roving poets reciting poems along the route on concert days from 1 to 4 p.m., interactive large-scale blocks of a different word from Taylor Swift’s lyrics, and street talk stencils that present poems drawn along sidewalks.

With files from CP24 and CTV Toronto staff