Rogers Stadium is gearing up to welcome big-name acts like Guns N’ Roses and Chris Stapleton this summer, while also shining a spotlight on its eco-friendly endeavors. Live Nation Canada is committed to lessening the environmental impact of large concerts by integrating sustainability practices into various aspects of the venue’s operations.
Nathalie Burri, Live Nation Canada’s senior vice-president of operations, emphasized the venue’s focus on reusability, highlighting that nearly all structures at Rogers Stadium are designed to be disassembled and repurposed. From utilizing shipping containers for guest services areas to setting up food and merchandise spaces in temporary tents that can be reused for future events, the stadium prioritizes sustainability.
Recycled materials play a significant role in the venue’s construction, with Burri explaining how different recycled materials were used in shaping the site’s topography. Moreover, concert attendees are encouraged to use public transportation, with complimentary rides home offered upon displaying their event tickets.
Live Nation introduced a successful reusable cup program at Coldplay’s concerts last year, distributing over 115,000 reusable cups and achieving a remarkable 97% return rate. This initiative has now been extended to all concerts at the venue in 2026, alongside features such as free water refill stations, compostable food packaging, and surplus meal donations to local communities to combat food waste.
Despite these positive steps, environmental advocate Kim Fry, co-founder of Music Declares Emergency Canada, stresses that more needs to be done to reduce the music industry’s environmental impact. While commending Live Nation’s efforts at Rogers Stadium, Fry believes Canada lags behind in sustainable music practices compared to the U.S. She advocates for venues to emulate models like Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ont., where reusable dishware is used to serve food and drinks, emphasizing the importance of stronger partnerships with climate and sustainability organizations.
Live Nation is committed to further expanding its sustainability initiatives at Rogers Stadium, with the ultimate objective of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030.