An artist's rendering of renovations intended for Toronto's outdoor waterfront music venue, newly renamed from Budweiser Stage to the RBC Amphitheatre, is seen in an undated handout image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Live Nation Canada (Mandatory Credit)
An artist's rendering of renovations intended for Toronto's outdoor waterfront music venue, newly renamed from Budweiser Stage to the RBC Amphitheatre, is seen in an undated handout image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Live Nation Canada (Mandatory Credit)
TORONTO - Live Nation Canada says a planned overhaul of a popular waterfront music spot will increase summer lawn seating and add movable enclosures for winter concerts.
The performance space at Ontario Place has also been renamed the RBC Amphitheatre, thanks to a multi-year partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada running to 2038.
It will close for renovations in fall 2027, reopen in spring 2029 as an outdoor stage, and debut as an all-year venue by summer 2030.聽
Officials detailed new features bound for the venue, previously known as Budweiser Stage and set to be one of the main attractions to a redeveloped zone along Toronto鈥檚 western waterfront.
It鈥檚 part of broader redevelopment plans for Ontario Place that include parkland, walking trails and a beach, but also a controversial spa and waterpark privately run by Therme Canada.
As the area鈥檚 other big tenant, Live Nation Canada says it鈥檚 dedicated to preserving the lawn space and skyline views that fans often tout as among the amphitheatre鈥檚 highlights.聽
Wayne Zronik, president of business operations at Live Nation Canada, says the revamp will allow 2,000 more fans onto the lawn by extending it further east, for a lawn capacity of 9,000. In the warm-weather months, the total capacity will be 18,000.
It will also add a lookout platform and elevators to make lawn seating accessible. Otherwise, Zronik promises 鈥渢he lawn will look exactly as it does today, but it'll be a bit bigger.鈥
鈥淲e do all of these things while maintaining what people love about the existing amphitheatre, which is the lawns, which is the great views of Toronto's skyline,鈥 he said ahead of a news conference Tuesday to detail the plans.
鈥淲e're also going to work to reuse as many structures as possible, really upgrading certain elements and structures as opposed to rebuilding them completely.鈥
Zronik said the pavilion portion will get 鈥渁 new modern space frame鈥 that's acoustically enhanced to offer 鈥渁 much better sound.鈥
The roof will also be rebuilt to accommodate movable panels that can enclose the pavilion in cooler months, thereby creating a 9,000-capacity indoor space that extends the season beyond the current May to October schedule.
Other planned additions include a lookout deck, a second pedestrian bridge to ease foot traffic in-and-out of the area, and expanded food and beverage options.
Zronik said a temporary venue will operate while renovations close the amphitheatre, but details were not yet set.
RBC said its new sponsorship deal will bring opportunities for ticket upgrades and giveaways. Starting next year, Avion Rewards members will be able to use Avion points on Ticketmaster purchases at or the Ticketmaster App, for any venue or show in Canada.
Zronik said Toronto鈥檚 amphitheatre is an especially busy venue with about 75 shows a year, which he said roughly doubles the average of other amphitheatres. He said artists appreciate the venue for the same reason as music fans, noting the dressing rooms overlook the city.
鈥淲e continue to see strength across all sorts of levels, whether it's the act playing the 1,000-person club or the act that's playing the 50,000-capacity stadium,鈥 he said.
Still, he said shows at the amphitheatre are a breed apart.
鈥淵ou can't get a much better experience than being over water.鈥
This report by 好色tvwas first published Oct. 28, 2025.