Toronto orders Live Nation to hire engineer and repair Rogers Stadium before AC/DC show

Toronto has ordered Live Nation to repair Rogers Stadium and hire an engineer before the outdoor venue can host AC/DC in mid-September. The order follows Wednesday’s storm, which damaged large sections of seating at the site near Downsview Park.

Images showed blue bleachers scattered across the venue, while parts of the grandstands appeared to have collapsed. City inspectors said sections of the structure on the north side had fallen and that displaced seats and other areas were in a “condition that may pose a risk” to public health or safety.

The city’s seven-part order requires Live Nation to prevent anyone from entering the damaged site and retain an engineer to assess the structure. The promoter must provide the city with the engineer’s findings and proposed solutions by Sept. 8. It must then carry out the recommended work and report back by Sept. 11. Any reconstruction will require a building permit.

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Wednesday’s storm was a severe and significant weather event that City officials have deemed a ‘100-year storm,’

That leaves Live Nation 12 days, including the Labour Day long weekend, to make the venue safe before AC/DC is due to play in Toronto. A Live Nation spokesperson said the company had worked with Toronto’s technical teams since the stadium was first established. “Wednesday’s storm was a severe and significant weather event that City officials have deemed a ‘100-year storm,’” the spokesperson said. “The inspection, assessment and remediation of structures affected by significant weather events, like a red-level storm of this nature, is a standard process, and we remain engaged with the City as that work continues.”

The storm damage adds to the venue’s troubles since it opened last summer. Live Nation previously said it would make adjustments after concertgoers complained that the 50,000-seat stadium was not prepared for crowds and local officials raised noise concerns. The venue most recently hosted K-pop group BTS on Aug. 23.

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The inspection, assessment and remediation of structures affected by significant weather events, like a red-level storm of this nature, is a standard process, and we remain engaged with the City as that work continues.