Coldplay’s Monday night concert at Toronto’s newly launched Rogers Stadium drew tens of thousands of fans—and tested the venue’s ability to manage massive crowds for the second time in a week.
While organizers made visible improvements following a chaotic debut show, some fans still described the exit process as tense and disorganized. Leigh Marshall and Adam Archdekin said they were held inside the venue for 40 minutes after the concert ended, with security directing the crowd through red and green lights in a method known as “pulsing.” “We felt herded like cattle,” Marshall said.
The system, used to prevent overcrowding at nearby transit stations like Downsview Park, allowed groups to leave in waves. It succeeded in reducing congestion outside, but many questioned whether the overall setup—especially with only two exit paths—was sustainable. “It has the makings of a disaster,” Marshall added.
Last week, it took some attendees up to two hours to exit the 50,000-capacity venue, sparking widespread criticism. In response, operator Live Nation Canada restructured exit routes, added more staff, lighting, signage, and water stations, and worked with Toronto Transit Commission to boost personnel at surrounding stations.
While some fans appreciated the improvements, others didn’t take any chances. Laurie Gatto and Jody McComb left the concert before the final song to avoid being caught in another gridlock. “I don’t think I’ve ever left a concert early,” Gatto said, “but we heard so many negative things we thought it best.”
Coldplay’s Chris Martin acknowledged the effort it took for fans to attend. “Thanks for all the traffic and the trains and the waiting to come to this weird stadium in the middle of nowhere,” he told the crowd.
Confusion over the venue’s name added to frustrations. Barb Lucas, who drove from Oshawa, thought she was attending a concert at Rogers Centre—Toronto’s downtown stadium—not the new Rogers Stadium near Downsview. “Had I known it was here, we wouldn’t have been going,” she said.
Brian Ellis, who drove in from Detroit, made the same mistake and ended up walking half an hour to the venue from a parking lot near Sheppard West Station. Others opted to pay $20 for a short ride on a pedicab blasting Coldplay hits, bypassing the long walk.
Despite the issues, some fans, like Emilio DeAngelis from Quebec City, were simply grateful to see their favorite band. “It’s Coldplay,” he shrugged. “It’s normal that there’s a lot of people.”
As the stadium continues to host back-to-back shows, the spotlight remains on whether improvements can keep up with expectations—and the crowd.