Toronto Welcomes Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking Eras Tour

“Toronto, Welcome to the Eras Tour!” Taylor Swift enthusiastically addressed a euphoric, sold-out crowd of over 50,000 at the iconic Rogers Centre on Thursday night, marking the electrifying start of the Canadian leg of her record-breaking tour.

Fans, affectionately known as “Swifties,” eagerly descended upon the city from all corners of the globe, creating an enthusiastic buzz in anticipation of the concert scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Many began to gather hours in advance, donning glittery outfits and trading friendship bracelets in celebration of the occasion.

Here are some of the highlights from Night One of the tour:

10 p.m.

Taylor Swift proclaimed that the “Folklore” era “belongs in Canada,” captivating her audience as they erupted in cheers.

Swift painted a vivid picture of the inspiration behind her beloved album, saying, “The kind of place that I envisioned in my mind where Folklore took place – it’s very, like natural wilderness, beautiful forests that have been there since the beginning of time. And, this kind of feels like we’re returning the Folklore era to where it just belongs.”

Folklore is her eighth studio album, having debuted during the pandemic and subsequently winning Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2021.

8:45 p.m.

Before the concert began, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognized the significance of the opening night of the “Eras Tour” in Canada.

In a social media post, he warmly welcomed Swift, saying, “We’re ready for you, @taylorswift13. Good choice wrapping the Eras Tour in Canada. Has this always been your endgame? #TorontoVancouver.”

Following her six exhilarating shows in Toronto, Swift is set to take the stage in Vancouver for three additional nights next month, bringing her tour to a grand conclusion.

8:27 p.m.

Images emerged from inside the Rogers Centre showcasing Taylor Swift performing before a frenzied, sold-out crowd. (Photo credit: The Canadian Press/Chris Young)

Taylor Swift graced the stage for the inaugural performance of her highly anticipated Toronto dates on Thursday, November 14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

7:52 p.m.

Taylor Swift took center stage, kicking off the first night of “The Eras Tour” in Toronto with the hauntingly beautiful track “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” from her acclaimed album “Lover.”

Concertgoers were in for a treat, as the show was slated to run for an exhilarating three-and-a-half hours, during which Swift would guide her fans through an extraordinary journey across her 11 studio albums or musical “eras,” performing selected songs from each.

In addition to her setlist, the Grammy award-winning singer was set to surprise her fans with a special song during the concert.

7:30 p.m.

With Taylor Swift moments away from her highly anticipated entrance, resale tickets were still available on StubHub, with the cheapest tickets priced at a staggering $1,516 for locations on the Corona Rooftop Patio.

6:45 p.m.

The excitement in Toronto reached a crescendo as the first night of the “Eras Tour” officially commenced, featuring opener Gracie Abrams performing to a captivated audience.

Abrams’ critically acclaimed song “us.”, which features Taylor Swift, has recently been nominated for a Grammy at the 67th annual awards, adding to the buzz of the evening.

6:15 p.m.

A heartwarming story unfolded prior to the concert as Ottawa’s Jack Laidlaw, who was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 — a rare genetic disease — received the gift of Taylor Swift tickets through a remarkable fundraising effort.

“What it means is the neurons that connect the brain to his lower body are slowly deteriorating and he’s slowly becoming paralyzed,” his father recounted, highlighting the urgency of their efforts to raise $3 million for a potential cure.

The family’s fundraising auction included donated Swift concert tickets that fetched $20,000 from the highest bidder, however, an anonymous donor matched that generous donation.

“The lady that bought the tickets donated the tickets back to the original girls, who then sent us to Taylor Swift.” Jack expressed his joy in anticipation of the concert, stating he is going to “have a blast” tonight.

5:45 p.m.

A mother and daughter duo traveled all the way from North Carolina, brandishing handmade signs and hoping to acquire tickets for tonight’s sold-out performance.

They had originally secured tickets for the now-canceled Vienna tour stops, which were called off due to an unsettling plot to attack Swift’s concerts in Austria.

“We have not gotten tickets yet. We are hoping to get tickets from StubHub. After they go on stage, it usually drops a couple a $100,” the hopeful mother shared with CP24’s Leena Latafat and Bakari Savage.

5:25 p.m.

Another devoted mother from Cape Breton took a flight to Toronto with her daughter, sharing with CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman that she hopes they can still find tickets to Thursday’s concert to join their friends who successfully secured seats.

The mother’s heartfelt sign read: “Tryin 2B World’s Best Mom!! Flew From Cape Breton. #TixPlease.”

5 p.m.

Fans who missed out on buying tickets for tonight’s show still have a chance to grab them — that is, if they are willing to spend a pretty penny.

Currently, the cheapest resale tickets are going for over $1,960 each, while premium seats are listed for nearly $9,779, available on StubHub for Section 129.

This comes after general sale tickets sold out within moments months prior, with Ticketmaster appearing to release additional options to registered fans just hours before the show commenced.

4:30 p.m.

As concert-goers filed into the gates of the Rogers Centre, excitement reverberated through the air, with Gracie Abrams set to perform as the opener at 6:45 p.m.

As a reminder, attendees were informed that screenshots of ticket barcodes would not be accepted, along with paper or PDF tickets for entry.

Swifties unsure of bag regulations were encouraged to consult the ultimate guide for do’s and don’ts prior to the show.

4:10 p.m.

The atmosphere was electric as fifty-thousand eager fans prepared to enter the Rogers Centre, with gates opening just half an hour away.

CTV News Toronto’s Sean Leathong engaged with Swifties from various places, including Vancouver and Las Vegas, sharing their exuberant anticipation for the show.

Fans Beckey and Isabelle Moore relayed their dismay over missing the Vienna tour dates abruptly canceled due to an attempted terror attack.

Check out here to see how Toronto is embracing the “Bejeweled” singer and the creative outfits fans have designed for tonight’s much-anticipated performance.

3:45 p.m.

Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw addressed CP24 regarding the patrol measures in place for the event, emphasizing community engagement.

“We are resourced in a way that helps us prepare for these big events, but, of course, it is a strain on cost, and Toronto is impacted by world events and different scope and scale of events in a unique way,” Demkiw stated, acknowledges the financial pressures associated with large-scale events in the city.

3:35 p.m.

Even the Toronto Police Service horses were enchanted by the star, adorned with friendship bracelets emblazoned with the words “Reputation” and “Debut TV,” as CP24’s Steve Ryan humorously reported.

3:30 p.m.

The anticipation surged as the Grammy-winning artist was officially confirmed to be in Toronto.

A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service relayed to CTV News Toronto that Taylor Swift’s motorcade had passed through along the Gardiner Expressway.

“Traffic would have been temporarily interrupted while the motorcade made its way downtown, but the Gardiner wasn’t ‘closed,’ per se,” Stephanie Sayer noted in an email statement.

3:15 p.m.

The downtown core began filling with eager fans as the time approached for Taylor Swift to take the stage at the Rogers Centre.

A family from Orangeville, Ontario, who had diligently planned for this experience for over a year, expressed their excitement about finally attending the concert. “Core memories are being made. What a special day we get to have with them. We got our tissues ready,” one mom remarked to CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman.

2:30 p.m.

Although the gates at the Rogers Centre wouldn’t open for another two hours, Swifties already began pouring into the city clad in glittery or theme-appropriate attire for “The Eras Tour.”

Fans, equipped with friendship bracelets and sporting the number 13—a tribute to both Swift’s lucky number and her birthdate—were fully embracing the spirit of the tour.

2 p.m.

At a Taylor Swift concert, it’s customary to sport beaded friendship bracelets and engage in the tradition of exchanging them, and this excitement was already palpable outside the Rogers Centre.

An Ontario Provincial Police post on X, formerly Twitter, shared how one of their officers delightedly interacted with dedicated Swifties heading to the sold-out show.

“These Swifties shared their excitement – and a few friendship bracelets too! Stay safe and have fun this weekend, Swifties!” the encouraging post stated.

1:35 p.m.

In an act of compassion, two unhoused individuals residing near the Rogers Centre were relocated to a shelter hotel ahead of the massive influx of concertgoers.

Having made their home in Roundhouse Park, they agreed to transition into the permanent shelter program, and city staff were actively assisting two more unhoused individuals in the area.

Police confirmed that while they responded to the park, they “did not move individuals or clear any encampments.”

A city spokesperson noted the importance of addressing “all aspects of safety for residents, businesses and visitors when large-scale events occur,” underscoring the effort to prioritize outreach work in the Rogers Centre vicinity.

1 p.m.

Swifties seeking entertainment ahead of the inaugural Toronto concert began gathering at “Taylgate ‘24,” a pre-concert celebration that warmly welcomed fans into the vibrant atmosphere.

This ticketed event ($55 per person) was designed for all fans — whether they held concert tickets or not — and ran until 11 p.m., creating an immersive experience for attendees with sing-alongs, bracelet-making stations, and glam areas.

12:35 p.m.

Destination Toronto projected a staggering $282 million boost to the local economy due to Taylor Swift’s sold-out shows, with $152 million stemming from direct purchasing alone.

The city pulsed with excitement as Taylor Swift’s presence was felt, even inspiring a street dedicated in her honor and a vibrant friendship bracelet displayed at the entrance of the Rogers Centre.

“It seems like the whole city is jumping in. We have hotels that have packages, the Bisha has a Taylor Swift-themed room,” stated Destination Toronto’s Kathy Motton.

10:30 a.m.

In a beautiful gesture, Boston mother Annelle Stuppy surprised her 10-year-old daughter, Evie, with a birthday trip to Toronto to see Taylor Swift. However, the challenge of purchasing tickets from the secondary market loomed large, as prices remained exorbitant.

Stuppy shared that she had been keeping an eye on ticket prices, observing lower rates as concert dates drew near, and she was hopeful that trend would hold true in Toronto, despite the current secondary market tickets averaging over $2,000.

“She (Swift) is just such a powerful businesswoman. She is smart, she is savvy, she doesn’t let anyone take advantage of her and as far as a mom goes you couldn’t ask for a better pop singer role model to have for a pre-teen,” Stuppy proudly remarked.

9:45 a.m.

When tickets for Taylor Swift’s Toronto concert initially went on sale last year, they vanished almost instantly, leading to staggering prices on the secondary market.

As of 9:45 a.m., the cheapest seat available on StubHub for tonight’s performance was listed at $2,155, albeit with an obstructed view from the 500 level. The cheapest floor seat was climbing above $3,200, further solidifying Swift’s status as a cultural phenomenon.

9:30 a.m.

The city made preparations for the expected surge of concertgoers by enacting road closures, announcing the closure of the westbound lanes on Bremner Boulevard between Rees Street and Navy Wharf effective 1 p.m., along with other crowd management measures in place.

GO Transit responded to the anticipated influx by adding more trains on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines and providing special nighttime services on concert days.

9 a.m.

Officials anticipated over 500,000 visitors would arrive in Toronto over the course of Taylor Swift’s ten-day engagement, leading CP24 to consult with Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie about the potential economic impact.

“About 93 percent of spending will be by visitors to our city, and that is at a time when we don’t have a lot of major events going on with a lot of revenue being generated,” she noted, expressing gratitude for the $283 million in expected spending from Swifties during the concerts.

8:30 a.m.

“It is like the last chance so I wanted to be here,” one fan expressed, highlighting how significant Swift’s shows are as they are among the final dates on the Eras Tour.

How are local businesses in Toronto benefiting from Taylor Swift’s concert?

Model for your daughter,” Stuppy expressed, highlighting ⁢the admiration many Swifties feel for the artist beyond her music.

10:00 a.m.

As the day commenced, anticipation continued to build for Taylor Swift’s highly awaited performance at Toronto’s ​Rogers Centre. Local businesses, including restaurants and hotels, reported a‌ surge‍ in bookings and reservations, attributing it to the influx of fans attending the concert.

“It’s amazing to see everyone so excited. We’ve decorated the restaurant ​with Taylor Swift-themed décor,” said the ⁤owner of a nearby popular eatery. “We’re seeing fans from all over, and⁤ it’s‌ creating such a great buzz in the neighborhood.”

9:00‌ a.m.

Social media buzzed with⁢ hashtags like #ErasTour and #TaylorsVersion,⁤ as fans ⁣shared their excitement and outfits planned for the concert. Artists and influencers also joined in, posting⁤ tributes and admiration for the pop icon.

‍Entertainment journalists prepared for an evening filled with coverage, eager to capture ‌the momentous occasion of Swift’s shows ⁤in the city.

8:00⁣ a.m.

In a lead-up⁤ to ‍the⁣ concert, local radio stations played Taylor Swift’s​ hits, while fans reported excitement and nervous energy building in the hours leading up to the show. ‍Many echoed a common sentiment of gratitude for Swift’s ability to unite people through her music and performances.

‌ 7:00 a.m.

The sun⁢ rose ⁤over Toronto, and day-of concert enthusiasts ⁤began assembling ⁤near the venue, clutching ⁣homemade signs and wearing Taylor’s merchandise. ​The atmosphere⁢ was already charged with enthusiasm, setting the stage for what promised to be a memorable night in the city.

As the day continued ⁣to unfold, the expectancy for‌ Taylor Swift’s concert ‌transformed the city, uniting fans in a collective celebration⁤ of music, community, and shared experiences.