Taylor Swift made a long-awaited stop in Canada for The Eras Tour, and after her electrifying first night in Toronto, Swifties are ready to forgive the delay. Fans decked out in sequins, cowboy hats, and outfits inspired by her lyrics packed the Rogers Centre on Thursday to witness their dreams come true. Swift responded with a heartfelt, high-energy performance that left no doubt about her appreciation for their enthusiasm.
“Oh Toronto, we are so back!” she exclaimed, pausing often to soak in the roaring cheers of nearly 49,000 fans. Even Swift seemed taken aback by the city’s fervor, heightened by weeks of anticipation, rerouted transit systems, enhanced security, and a flurry of parallel events promoting her concerts as a tourist highlight. “You’ve turned this into more than just a concert,” Swift said. “The way Toronto has embraced and welcomed us—it’s heartening. This feels so good, so different from anything I’ve experienced before.” She launched the night with “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” and “Cruel Summer” from her 2019 Lover album, beginning a journey through 10 mini-sets, each representing an era of her 11 studio albums.
For over three hours, Swift performed almost nonstop on a stage backed by a massive digital screen and dazzling pyrotechnics. Fans’ LED wristbands lit up in colors to match each era, creating a kaleidoscope of light. Hits like “Bad Blood,” “Cardigan,” and “Blank Space” mixed with surprise deep cuts like “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” and “False God.”
The Toronto leg marks the final chapter of the ambitious Eras Tour, which began in March 2023, spanning five continents and nearly 150 shows. Swift will play six sold-out shows at the Rogers Centre, concluding on Nov. 23, before heading to Vancouver for the tour’s finale at BC Place from Dec. 6 to 8.
Swift brought a uniquely Canadian touch to the first night. During “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” her dancer Kameron Saunders charmed the crowd by replacing a lyric with a playful “Sorry aboot it” in a faux Canadian accent. Later, as she introduced songs from Folklore, Swift suggested the album felt naturally Canadian. “Doesn’t it seem like the entire Folklore era belongs here?” she mused to a thunderous response. “This feels like returning it to where it belongs—beautiful forests, wilderness, and timeless natural beauty.”
Canadian fans had been waiting over a year for this moment. Tickets for the Toronto shows, which went on sale in August 2023, sparked a frenzy on Ticketmaster, leaving many empty-handed. Yet, ticketless fans still gathered downtown to join the festivities, exchange friendship bracelets, and share their admiration for Taylor-inspired outfits.
As the night drew to a close, Swift paused to absorb the crowd’s chants of “Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!” Arms outstretched, she smiled and declared, “This is why everyone loves Canadians.”
