From SkyDome to Swiftmania, how the Rogers Centre became Toronto’s entertainment capital
Last week, Taylor Swift kicked off her six-show run at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Perhaps surprisingly, this series of shows is groundbreaking for the Eras Tour, with only Los Angeles boasting the same number of performances at the conclusion of the globe-trotting spectacle.
Toronto is one of just two Canadian stops on the Eras Tour, which further underscores the city’s stature as a cultural hotspot and while the frenzy around Taylor Swift may be unique, this is not the first time everyday life in Toronto has been altered due to a concert. The Rolling Stones, U2, Beyonce and One Direction all drew huge crowds to one of Canada’s largest stadiums and the surrounding area.
Toronto being home to one of the world’s most popular venues for musical artists and sporting events has a massive economic impact on the city. Destination Toronto reported that tourism contributed over $12 billion to the economy in 2023. Events hosted at the Rogers Centre bring in visitors each year, adding to our economy and reputation as a world-class city.
So how did this massive domed landmark come to house some of the world’s most influential artists? Believe it or not, it started with a bit of inclement weather.
Conception and Construction (1970s–1980s)
The idea for a new, multipurpose stadium emerged in the 1970s when Toronto's existing venue, Exhibition Stadium, struggled to meet the growing needs of professional sports. Weather was a perpetual challenge, with rain, cold, and snow affecting games, particularly those played by the Toronto Blue Jays, who joined Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1977.
The idea of a retractable-roof stadium quickly gained popularity, sparking a wave of public support and financial backing. Thus, the SkyDome was conceptualized under as the “Ontario Stadium Project”.
In 1983, the Ontario government created a stadium corporation to oversee the project, soon after a controversial game between the Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers was halted by rain. Premier Bill Davis was inspired by this incident and announced the approval of a new stadium project the same year.
Architects Rod Robbie and Michael Allen won the design competition, envisioning a fully functional, multipurpose stadium with a retractable roof — a first of its kind. EllisDon broke ground on construction in October 1986.
When it was complete, the workers involved in the massive project engraved their names on a wall of the interior, which can still be seen today.
SkyDome Opening (1989)
On June 3, 1989, SkyDome officially opened, representing the height of innovation in stadium architecture. The venue’s groundbreaking roof design put Toronto on the map. It also contained a hotel with rooms overlooking the field, a novel feature that added to its appeal. The stadium quickly became an architectural and cultural marvel.
SkyDome’s debut was celebrated with an extravagant opening ceremony, including performances, fireworks, and various dignitaries like Domer, the stadium’s very own mascot. Its first major event came on June 5, 1989, when the Blue Jays played against the Milwaukee Brewers. Although the Jays lost that game, the excitement surrounding the stadium’s opening overshadowed the result.
The innovative stadium hosted more than just sports events; it became a venue for concerts, trade shows, and other major gatherings, making it a versatile addition to Toronto's skyline. Its musical legacy was inaugurated with a Rod Stewart performance June 8, 1989 And while the stadium wouldn’t remain forever young, the best years were still yet to come.
The Blue Jays' Championship Years (1990s)
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The early 1990s were a golden era for SkyDome as the Toronto Blue Jays became one of baseball's most successful teams.
In 1992 and 1993, the Jays captured back-to-back World Series titles, drawing massive crowds to the Dome in the process. These championships cemented the stadium's reputation as a centre of sports excellence and a source of pride for Torontonians. It was during this time that? SkyDome cemented its status as a top-tier sports venue.
The Blue Jays’ success coincided with the stadium's popularity for tourism and live events, with high-profile concerts from artists like U2, Madonna, and The Rolling Stones attracting visitors from across North America. Even Nelson Mandela took center stage at the Dome in 1998, speaking to over 40,000 students. The largest event in the history of the stadium was WrestleMania X8 in 2002, with 68,237 fans in attendance.
During this time, the Rogers Centre served as the first home for the Toronto Raptors. The NBA team played there from November 1995 to February 1999, during the construction of their current home, the Scotiabank Arena, originally named the Air Canada Centre.
Ownership Changes (2000s)
Despite its initial success, the Dome encountered financial hurdles in the late 1990s. In order to keep the structure safe and up to date, construction costs had ballooned to $570 million, much of which was government funded. As the stadium’s operating costs proved challenging, Rogers Communications purchased the stadium in 2004 for $25 million and renamed it the Rogers Centre.
Under Rogers’ ownership, the stadium saw significant upgrades, including enhanced seating, upgraded video screens, and improved facilities. The rebranding marked a new chapter, and the Rogers Centre continued to host the Blue Jays and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts while expanding into more large-scale entertainment events.
Modern Renovations and What’s Next (2010s–Present)
Throughout the 2010s, the Rogers Centre underwent various slight modernization efforts, although it remained structurally similar to its original design.
A more drastic round of renovations began in 2023 and continues today. The years-long $300 million construction project saw renovations to the bullpen, additional food vendors, more comfortable seating and more social areas. More changes will occur in the 2025 off-season. Fans have largely enjoyed the modern era of the Rogers Centre – at what other sports event can you get a salmon poke bowl between innings?
The Rogers Centre today
Today, the Rogers Centre has stood the test of time as a necessary stop on the list of shows on any given world tour, not to mention the home of our beloved Blue Jays.
Taylor Swift had just one Canadian city on her roster for the Eras Tour, and she chose Toronto. The legacy of a massive stadium in the heart of the downtown drives tourism and entertainment to our city, making the Rogers Centre a focal cultural hub for over 25 years.
Where would we be without a downtown stadium of this kind? Well, probably not hosting the Eras Tour, that’s for sure.
Facts and Figures
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