Toronto floats sound barrier plan for Rogers Stadium

City councillors are asking the City Manager to work with Live Nation to reduce noise complaints from Rogers Stadium, the temporary outdoor concert venue that opened in summer 2025 on former Downsview Airport lands.

Ward 6 councillor James Pasternak and Ward 18 councillor Lily Cheng have brought forward a motion to City Council aimed at making concert nights quieter for residents, particularly in York Centre, Willowdale, and Vaughan, where residents have reported serious concerns about low-frequency bass that travels surprising distances.

The motion asks the City to work with Live Nation to hire an independent acoustics expert to study the venue and recommend upgrades that could help reduce sound carrying into surrounding neighbourhoods. Councillors are also exploring the possibility of having Live Nation construct a noise buffer berm on the edge of the west Allen East District at the company's expense — essentially a soil mound built around the property to dampen sound.

Live Nation says it has already installed soundproof cladding at the stadium ahead of the 2026 concert season, which kicked off with Bruno Mars scheduled to perform on May 31 (the show was scrapped at the last minute due to heavy rainfall). While some residents have reported improvements, others argue they haven't noticed a significant change.

Residents have been calling 311 to complain about the noise, but some have received what they describe as contradictory information about bylaws and available enforcement options. Councillors are calling for a more coordinated response from the City.

The motion will be considered at the upcoming June 24–26 City Council meeting.