Toronto – it’s almost time. Taylor Swift is bringing the Eras Tour to Toronto in November for six unforgettable shows. Whether you have tickets or not (not if you are like us), the city is going to be filled with Swifites looking to take advantage of all the fun and magic.
Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24 is the perfect opportunity, a take-over experience near Rogers Centre that will feature music, dancing, bracelet making and more.
Curiocity spoke with the Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24 founders, Joel Wolinsky and Bram Goldstein, about the massive initiative from what it took to plan it to what fans need to know before they go.
What is Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24?
If you haven’t heard of the experience and you’re a Swiftie then you’re in for a treat.
The festivities will happen from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM on all six Taylor Swift Toronto show dates from November 14th to 16th and November 21st to 23rd.
“Our goal for Taylgate ‘24 is to create an immersive and memorable event that enhances fans lives on the big concert day, whether they have tickets or not,” shares Wolinsky.
“We want our attendees to feel the excitement build from the moment they arrive, surrounded by fellow fans, and experience a sense of community before even stepping across the street into the stadium.”
Bracelet exchanges, glam stations, photo ops, concert-ready merch, and other interactive elements are what fans can start getting excited about.
“Our goal is for them to connect with each other, celebrate their love for Taylor and start making memories before the main event.”
Goldstein chimed in that the experience is for everyone, adding, “We’ve designed the consumer experience for everyone in mind; meaning you can simply just hang out with your friends (or meet new ones).”
The lead up
Bringing an idea this huge to life isn’t easy but the co-founders had a dream in mind and ran with it.
“Putting together a ‘Taylgate’ experience of this scale involves extensive planning, coordination, and creativity. The process starts with understanding the vision and goals—creating a unique pre-concert experience that can build on the emotions and energy that a global artist brings to town,” says Goldstein.
Location is everything and the pair found the perfect spot.
“It’s about securing the right location, which in this case is steps away from the Rogers Centre, and ensuring logistics, crowd management, and security are solid,” he continues.
Curating “interactive stations, food and drink options, entertainment, exclusive merchandise, collaborating with authentic sponsors, vendors” were all critical factors in pulling off the Taylgate, the pair adds.
“A large-scale event like this requires tight timelines, constant adjustments, and an incredible team effort to bring everything together smoothly.”
What to expect
If you’re planning on heading to Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24 there are a couple of things to know beforehand.
According to Goldstein, “We recommend attendees prepare for their Taylgate experience by arriving early to maximize enjoyment time. There will likely be busy moments, especially in our peak window prior to concert start time.”
If big crowds aren’t your thing, the founders say the experience is designed with space in mind.
“We have a huge venue with lots of space for fans to take a break, sit down and conserve their energy so they can continue to enjoy themselves throughout the day and night. We’ve designed Taylgate with crowd flow to keep things moving as smoothly as possible, but some lines are inevitable given the scale and excitement.”
Tickets
Tickets for Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24 are $55 a person and can be purchased here for whichever date you’re interested in attending from November 14th to 16th and November 21st to 23rd.
“Ultimately, we hope they leave feeling like it was an unforgettable day from start to finish,” Wolinsky says.
Enjoy the Taylor Swift Taylgate, Toronto!
Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ’24
When: November 14th – 16th and 21st – 23rd, 2024 from 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building, 255 Front St W
Cost: $55 per ticket
