IN PHOTOS | See Swiftmania sweep Toronto

CBC

November 12, 2024 at 9:04 p.m.·8 min read

Taylor Swift opens her six-night Eras Tour in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC - image credit)

Taylor Swift opens her six-night Eras Tour in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2024.

Taylor Swift opens her first of six sold-out concerts at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which began March 17, 2023, arrived in Toronto Thursday for six sold-out shows and will wrap after three Vancouver performances in early December.

About 60,000 ticket-holders will gather at the Toronto stadium for each show from Nov. 14-23, with thousands more Swifties expected to attend the pre-show event called Taylgate '24 at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

With opening night upon us, check out the excitement in Toronto, from the artist herself taking the stage to the lineups for merchandise, to the hundreds of thousands of fans at Rogers Centre and more.

Nov. 14: Taylgate '24 and opening night

After much anticipation, Taylor Swift opens her first of six sold-out shows at Rogers Centre.

Taylor Swift opens her six-night Eras Tour in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The Eras Tour celebrates all 10 of the artist's existing studio albums with a set list of 44 songs. Swift opened the first show with Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, followed by Cruel Summer.

Taylor Swift opens her six-night Eras Tour in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

After performing the first few songs, Swift told the audience: "Toronto, welcome to The Eras Tour."

Taylor Swift opens her six-night Eras Tour in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams opened for Taylor Swift ahead of the pop sensation's three-hour show.

Fans listen to Gracie Abrams opens for Taylor Swift on night one of Taylor Swift’s six-night Eras Tour dates, in Toronto, on Nov. 14, 2024.

Fans listen to Gracie Abrams open for Taylor Swift on the first night of the six sold-out concerts at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans listening to Abrams.

Gracie Abrams opens for Taylor Swift on night one of Taylor Swift’s six-night Eras Tour dates, in Toronto, on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Wearing Swift-inspired outfits, fans lined up outside Rogers Centre on opening night.

Fans listen to Gracie Abrams opens for Taylor Swift on night one of Taylor Swift’s six-night Eras Tour dates, in Toronto, on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans line up outside Rogers Centre for night one of Taylor Swift’s six-night Eras Tour dates, in Toronto, on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans line up outside Rogers Centre for night one of Taylor Swift’s six-night Eras Tour dates, in Toronto, on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Just hours before the first show, Swifties gathered for Taylgate '24 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It's where attendees can get their pre-concert makeup done, participate in a massive bracelet making and exchange session and more. Here, Lydia Menshenfriend makes a friendship bracelet at Taylgate '24.

Fans line up outside Rogers Centre for night one of Taylor Swift’s six-night Eras Tour dates, in Toronto, on Nov. 14, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans watch a costume show during the Taylgate '24 event.

Lydia Menshenfriend makes a friendship bracelet at Taylgate ’24, a Taylor Swift-themed event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on Nov. 14, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14.

Lydia Menshenfriend makes a friendship bracelet at Taylgate ’24. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Tabatha and Summer Fournier, from Woodstock, Ont., stand for a portrait at Taylgate '24. The pair later won the costume contest.

Fans watch a costume show during ‘Taylgate ’24,’ a Taylor Swift-themed event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on Nov. 14, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14.

Fans watch a costume show during Taylgate ’24. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Chelsea Trafford, left, and Rachelle Liguori (in their Lover and Reputation eras, respectively) stand for a portrait at the Taylgate.

Tabatha and Summer Fournier, from Woodstock, Ont., stand for a portrait at ‘Taylgate ’24,’ a Taylor Swift-themed event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on Nov. 14, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (The pair later won the costume contest.)

Tabatha and Summer Fournier, from Woodstock, Ont., stand for a portrait at Taylgate ’24, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on Thursday, near Rogers Centre, the venue hosting the six sold-out Toronto shows. The pair later won the costume contest. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Nov. 13: Swifties at the CN Tower

It's the first time fan Taylor Stapleton has visited Toronto, and Thursday will be her first time seeing the pop sensation in concert. Stapleton, from Los Angeles, decided to check out the CN Tower on Wednesday.

Chelsea Trafford, left, and Rachelle Liguori (in their Lover and Reputation eras, respectively) stand for a portrait during ‘Taylgate ’24,’ a Taylor Swift-themed event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on Nov. 14, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14.

Chelsea Trafford, left, and Rachelle Liguori (in their Lover and Reputation eras, respectively) stand for a portrait at the Taylgate. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Here, she shows off her Swift-themed outfit while at the tower's main observation level.

Swiftie Taylor Stapleton, from Los Angeles, shows off her themed hat and scarf while visiting the CN Tower on Nov. 13, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

In addition to the breathtaking views, CN Tower visitors also got to see a photo exhibit of Taylor Swift tour photography that's on display during the Toronto leg of the Eras Tour.

Swiftie Taylor Stapleton, from Los Angeles, shows off her themed sweatshirt while visiting the CN Tower on Nov. 13, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fans take in the view, and a Taylor Swift themed exhibit, at the CN Tower on Nov. 13, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

What's behind this stadium fence?

Across the street from Rogers Centre, there's a parking lot with metal fencing.

Fans take in the view, and a Taylor Swift themed photo exhibit, at the CN Tower on Nov. 13, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Showwei Chu/CBC)

And right now, it's filled with idling semis. It's reported that 90 transport trucks are needed to set up, take down and move Swift's production. A photo taken with CBC's aerial drone shows just over 50 semis.

Over 50 transport trucks are parked and idling across the street from Rogers Centre in Toronto ahead of Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour on Nov. 13, 2024. (CBC)

(Patrick Morrell/CBC)

Nov. 12: Concert merch up for grabs

Tour merchandise went on sale at Rogers Centre on Tuesday morning. It's the only location in Toronto selling official tour merchandise. Here, fans line up outside the stadium.

Aerial (drone) images outside Rogers Centre in the early afternoon of the Taylor Swift concert on Nov. 14, 2024. Including the 50-plus transport trucks used to ferry the production and street closures. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Fan Brenda Martinez holds an Eras Tour poster outside the venue.

Fans line up to buy tour merchandise outside Rogers Centre on Nov. 12, 2024. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

A fan shows friendship bracelets outside Rogers Centre.

Brenda Martinez holds a poster outside Rogers Centre on Nov. 12, 2024. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Another fan in mid-pose outside the stadium.

Nidhi holds out friendship bracelets outside Rogers Centre on Nov. 12, 2024. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14.

A fan shows off friendship bracelets outside Rogers Centre on Nov. 12, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Valentyna Miziuk takes a selfie on Tuesday outside Rogers Centre, the venue hosting the Toronto shows.

A fan lines up to buy tour merchandise outside Rogers Centre on Nov. 12, 2024. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

An aerial view by drone of the growing lineup outside Gates 5 and 6.

Valentyna Miziuk takes a selfie outside Rogers Centre on Nov. 12, 2024. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Michael Cole/CBC)

Nov. 4: Toronto renames streets temporarily

A main route through downtown Toronto got a temporary makeover to honour Swift ahead of her six-concert run in the city — and to raise money to help people facing food insecurity.

Signs bearing the name Taylor Swift Way designate the route from Rogers Centre — where Swift will perform — to Nathan Phillips Square, where city hall is located, for the month of November.

A total of 22 signs go up along Queen Street West, John Street, Front Street and Blue Jays Way.

Giant friendship bracelet sign outside the Rogers Centre, aerial shot of crowd size outside Gates 5 and 6, pictured on Nov. 12, 2024.

An aerial view by drone of the giant friendship bracelet sign and the lineup outside Gates 5 and 6. (Michael Charles Cole/CBC)

People take pictures with a newly erected Taylor Swift Way street sign in Toronto on Nov. 5.

In photos L-R: Neil Hetherington, Daily Bread Food Bank, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and Coun. Ausma Malik, on Nov. 4, 2024.

From left to right: Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and Coun. Ausma Malik, at the unveiling of the Taylor Swift Way sign on Nov. 4. (Clara Pasieka/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

People take pictures with a newly-erected Taylor Swift Way street sign, in Toronto, on Nov. 8, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

(Evan Mitsui/CBC)

People take pictures with a newly-erected Taylor Swift Way street sign, in Toronto, on Nov. 8, 2024. The Eras Tour begins a six-show-run in Toronto on Nov. 14. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

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