AC/DC’s Toronto Concert Faces Uncertainty After Severe Storm Damages Rogers Stadium
By Website Content Manager
Storm Damages Rogers Stadium in Toronto, Causing Temporary Stands to Partially Collapse Ahead of AC/DC Concert
AC/DC’s sold-out Toronto concert is facing uncertainty after severe weather caused major damage to Rogers Stadium earlier this week.
The 50,000-capacity venue was hit by powerful storms on Wednesday, Sept. 2, as heavy rain, flooding and strong winds swept across the Toronto area. Several sections of the stadium’s temporary seating were badly damaged, with part of one grandstand collapsing.
The damage has raised concerns about whether the venue will be ready when AC/DC’s Power Up world tour arrives in Toronto on Sept. 16.
Following an inspection, the City of Toronto issued Live Nation Canada an order requiring the company to address safety concerns and complete the necessary repairs before the stadium can reopen. The requirements include bringing in an engineer, developing a repair plan, securing the appropriate permits and meeting the city’s safety conditions.
Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak, who represents York Centre, acknowledged that there is now a possibility the concert may not happen as scheduled.
The councillor questioned whether the damaged sections could be rebuilt quickly enough to meet safety standards, noting that the situation could potentially prevent AC/DC from performing at the venue this year.
Live Nation has said that the safety of its employees and contractors remains its top priority. The company is continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and work with city officials on the next steps. No cancellation or postponement of AC/DC’s Toronto date had been announced at the time of reporting.
Rogers Stadium has also attracted criticism since opening, particularly over its location and accessibility. The outdoor venue sits on the former Downsview Airport grounds and is separate from downtown’s Rogers Centre, the home of MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.
Unlike many large stadiums in North America, Rogers Stadium is primarily a concert venue rather than a facility built around a professional sports franchise. The site has already hosted major acts, but its remote setting has generated mixed reactions from concertgoers.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin previously poked fun at the venue’s location, referring to it as a “weird stadium in the middle of nowhere” while performing there last year.
For now, AC/DC’s Sept. 16 Toronto performance remains on the schedule, but the damaged stadium will need to pass the necessary inspections and repairs before the show can safely proceed.