Imagine Dragons to Headline Inaugural Show at Renamed RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto
Toronto's waterfront concert scene is poised for a spectacular revival this spring, as the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum band Imagine Dragons takes center stage for the historic opening night at the newly renamed RBC Amphitheatre. The highly anticipated event, scheduled for May 21, marks a significant milestone for one of the city's most iconic live music venues, formerly known to locals as Budweiser Stage. Tickets for this landmark concert will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.ca, promising an unforgettable experience for fans.
Exclusive Perks and Fan Experiences
Backed by RBC and Live Nation Canada, the opening night will offer exclusive benefits, particularly for RBC clients. Through the RBCxMusic program, customers will gain access to a special pool of tickets and receive a $20 credit. All attendees on opening night will be treated to a commemorative gift and custom on-site experiences, elevating the event beyond a typical concert. Mary DePaoli, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at RBC, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Imagine Dragons are hitmakers who captivate global audiences across generations. We're thrilled to have them headline the opening night of RBC Amphitheatre—a milestone moment as we build a new chapter for music fans by connecting them with world-class music experiences and delivering even greater value."
Record-Breaking Season and Venue Transformation
The concert heralds the start of what organizers are calling a record-breaking season, with the RBC Amphitheatre set to host more than 80 shows this year—its biggest lineup ever. This expansion underscores the venue's growing popularity and commitment to delivering a diverse range of live music throughout the summer. Erik Hoffman, president of music at Live Nation Canada, highlighted the significance, noting, "Opening night at RBC Amphitheatre marks an exciting milestone, and we're proud to partner with RBC to bring a stadium-level act like Imagine Dragons to kick off another record-breaking season." The performance is particularly notable as it will be Imagine Dragons' only amphitheatre performance in North America this year.
Simultaneously, the venue is undergoing a long-term transformation aimed at reimagining it into a year-round destination by 2030. Planned upgrades include a new pedestrian bridge to enhance accessibility, expanded food and beverage options, upgraded hospitality spaces, and a lookout deck with elevator access to the lawn. While signature features such as open-lawn seating and skyline views will remain, construction is expected to commence in fall 2027, with the venue reopening in summer 2029 as an outdoor space before transitioning to full year-round use by 2030. Upon completion, the revamped amphitheatre will significantly boost capacity, accommodating up to 18,000 attendees in the summer and adding 9,000 indoor seats for winter events.
Additional Concert News and Streaming Options
In related concert news, another major tour is targeting Toronto, with Usher and Chris Brown announcing a 33-date co-headlining stadium run across North America, produced by Live Nation. The tour kicks off on June 26 in Denver, Colorado, and includes a stop in Toronto before concluding on December 11 in Tampa, Florida. Tickets will be available starting with The R&B Tour Presale on April 23, followed by additional presales and general on-sale on April 27 via RaymondAndBrownTour.com. For those unable to attend in person, VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada, offers an introductory offer of 30% off for streaming live shows and events from home, providing access to an extensive archive of past performances and upcoming concerts.
