Taylor Swift fans in other cities have gathered outside stadiums in hopes of scoring last-minute tickets, but that will not be allowed in Vancouver
Expect the area around B.C. Place to soon look like a fortress, as fencing begins going up early next week and access will be restricted to the 160,000 ticketholders for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts on Dec. 6, 7 and 8.
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City officials, transit authorities, police and venue management are teaming up to handle the massive crowd of “Swifties” expected to descend on the city, including many who don’t even have tickets. To keep things under control around the stadium, nearby roads will be closed and 700 police officers will be on hand.
Chris May, the general manager of B.C. Place, made it clear during a media briefing on Thursday that, “If you don’t have a ticket, don’t come to the stadium district on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.”
During Swift’s world tour, fans in other cities have gathered outside stadiums in hopes of scoring last-minute tickets, but May made it clear that this will not be allowed in Vancouver.
“There is no designated outside gathering zone. Our focus is on keeping ticket holders and guests safe.”
Attendees will need to pass through multiple checkpoints, including metal detectors, before entering the stadium district.
Swift’s Vancouver concerts mark the end of her groundbreaking nearly two-year tour, which spanned five continents and close to 150 shows. The Eras Tour is the first in history to surpass $1 billion in gross earnings.
The three Vancouver concerts are expected to bring an estimated economic impact of $157 million to the city, according to Destination Vancouver. However, the costs associated with increased services — such as extra transit, security and road closures — are still being calculated, and public organizations such as the city, Vancouver police and TransLink will likely pass these costs on to taxpayers.
Officials estimate that up to 70 per cent of ticketholders will be from outside the Vancouver area, with around 40 per cent travelling from abroad.
With many out-of-town fans arriving, ticketholders are encouraged to take transit or walk to B.C. Place, as some roads near the stadium will be closed from noon to midnight on concert days.
In addition to the Swift concerts, Vancouver will also host Canucks games on Friday and Sunday, six Cirque du Soleil performances from Friday to Sunday, and several other events throughout the weekend, further contributing to the downtown crowd.
In previous tour stops such as in Toronto, Swift’s concerts have caused significant congestion and transportation challenges, despite transit authorities expanding public services to accommodate the large crowds.
For the Vancouver shows, TransLink spokesperson Tina Lovgreen said transit service hours are being extended and frequency is being maximized.
A special West Coast Express train linking Metro Vancouver commuters to the Fraser Valley will run on Dec. 7 only, departing Mission at 4 p.m. and returning from Waterfront Station at midnight.
Extra staff, including transit police and volunteers, will be working to help manage crowds that weekend.
The city is also planning to set up designated passenger pick-up and drop-off zones, which drivers, taxis and ride-shares can use for up to three minutes.
The exterior of B.C. Place is expected to be adorned with the same large inflatable friendship bracelet that greeted fans at Swift’s concert venues in Toronto, New Orleans and Indianapolis.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring friendship bracelets, but they must either be worn or carried in a clear bag that meets the stadium’s bag policy.
“Carabiners or shower curtain rings (full of bracelets) will not be allowed into the stadium,” May said.
Inside B.C. Place, several restrooms will be converted to female and gender-neutral facilities, and there will be a designated entrance for guests with accessibility needs.
“At the same time, this is a 40-year-old building with three elevators,” May said. “We’ll do the best we can.”
Road closures in effect during concert weekend
• 700 and 800 blocks of Beatty Street between Smithe Street and West Georgia.
• Pacific Boulevard from the Cambie Bridge off-ramp to Pat Quinn Way.
• Northbound Cambie Street Bridge off-ramp.
• 100 block of Robson Street between Cambie and Beatty.