Toronto’s iconic "Molson Amphitheatre" is no more.
Live Nation Canada and Budweiser Canada announced Friday that starting with the upcoming 2017 summer concert season, the popular open-air concert venue at Ontario Place will now be known as the Budweiser Stage.
The multi-year partnership between Labatt Breweries of Canada – the brewer of Budweiser – and Live Nation Entertainment includes plans to revitalize the space by adding more concessions and bring "a completely refurbished environment for a more elevated look and feel." There are also plans to allow fans to arrive earlier for shows.
“The Budweiser brand has a long association with music in Canada and around the world, and we look forward to continuing to grow and evolve our music presence in collaboration with Live Nation. Our partnership marks the beginning of great things to come for music fans from coast to coast,” said Todd Allen, vice president, marketing, Labatt Breweries of Canada.
“We’re also thrilled that the iconic venue for musicians at Ontario Place will carry the name Budweiser Stage, and that music fans will now be able to enjoy Canada’s most popular beer at the country’s premier music venue.”
It’s the first time in the popular Toronto venue’s history that its name has changed.
The Molson Canadian Amphitheatre first opened back in May of 1995 with two sold-out concerts from Bryan Adams. At the time the Amphitheatre replaced a smaller concert venue called the Forum – known for its rotating round stage – which had been a popular Ontario Place spot since the amusement park opened back in 1971.
In 2011, concert space in the area expanded just to the east of the Amphitheatre when the smaller TD Echo Beach space opened. Echo Beach will not be affected by this new deal.
Molson’s sponsorship deal expired at the end of 2016 and the name switch will begin immediately. So, Toronto...say hello to The Budweiser Stage.
