It’s been a long time coming for the Canadian Swifties and the wait is over.

Taylor Swift and her highest-grossing “The Eras Tour” will make their Canadian debut in Toronto, and hundreds of thousands of fans will descend on the city to attend the shows.

That’s why we’ve rounded up everything Swifties need to know about the concerts.

WHEN ARE THE PERFORMANCES?

The 34-year-old award-winning singer will play the Rogers Center on November 14, 15, 16 and then again on November 21, 22 and 23.

The Eras Tour kicked off on March 17, 2023 in Arizona and Swift has played 140 shows across five continents. Three shows in Vienna, Austria, were canceled due to an alleged terror plot.

After her six shows in Toronto, the singer will play three nights in BC, where the tour ends on December 8, just a few days before the pop star’s birthday.

ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

According to the Ticketmaster website, all dates are sold out. However, the company has reportedly released limited tickets to those who were waitlisted during the initial sale. It is unclear whether more tickets will become available.

Some tickets are sold for ridiculous prices on third party websites.

Rogers Center says screenshots of ticket barcodes and paper, or PDF tickets are not valid and will not be accepted. Tickets accessed through the Ticketmaster app are the only ones allowed and scanned on site.

WHICH SONGS ARE ON THE SETLIST?

Based on previous shows, Taylor Swift is expected to sing more than forty songs for three and a half hours. The concert is divided into several “eras,” each representing her eleven studio albums, including “The Tortured Poets Department,” released earlier this year (and recently nominated for a Grammy).

The set list includes her No. 1 hits: “Cruel Summer,” “Anti-Hero,” “Blank Space,” “Look What You Made Me Do,” “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version),” Bad Blood” and “Fifteen Days.”

She is also expected to play two surprise songs every concert.

IS THERE AN OPENING PROMOTION?

Yes. Gracie Abrams opens for Swift at all her Toronto concerts. Abrams, the daughter of director JJ Abrams, released her debut single in 2019. This year she released her second studio album, which includes the song ‘Us’ with Swift.

WHEN WILL THE GATES AT ROGERS CENTER OPEN?

According to Rogers Center, gates will open at 4:30 PM and fans will not be allowed to arrive or queue before 3:30 PM on show days.

The show time is listed as 6:45 p.m

WHAT CAN YOU BRING IN?

Swifties can carry one small bag, which is a plastic, vinyl or PVC carrier bag no larger than 30 x 15 x 30 cm, or a non-transparent bag no larger than 10.5 x 18.5 cm, with or without a handle or strap.

There is no bag storage or coat check in the dome. Only oversized bags containing breast pumps and medical supplies are allowed.

Fans are advised not to bring gifts for Swift as they will not be accepted or collected.

The Eras Tour is known for its friendship bracelets, which fans exchange during concerts.

Rogers Center says all friendship bracelets should fit you. Metal or plastic carabiners, shower curtain hooks/rings, and bags containing extra friendship bracelets are not permitted.

Fans may bring signs no larger than 11×17” or A3 paper. Signage that is inappropriate, unlawful, indecent, obstructive, disparaging, offensive, objectionable or intended to draw attention to international, political or other similar events, causes or conflicts is not permitted indoors.

Fans may bring one small, factory-sealed, clear, soft-sided plastic water bottle (500 ml or less). No outside food or drinks are allowed.

LOOKING FOR BRAND?

Rogers Center says official merchandise will be available inside and at select external locations on the site.

On show days, ticketed fans can only purchase merchandise.

For those without tickets, they can purchase merchandise at Gate 1, 5 and 9A on November 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20 between 10am and 8pm. Fans are not allowed to line up before 9 p.m

GETTING AROUND TORONTO

The downtown area will be busy, especially on show days, prompting officials to urge those without tickets not to travel downtown. Other events also take place during that time, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors games, and the Santa Clause Parade.

Concertgoers are advised to use public transport to get to the center. The city has also designated a number of special drop-off and pick-up locations. There are also road closures to be aware of, so here’s what you need to know.

TTC, GO TRANSIT, UP EXPESS

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Toronto’s public transportation system, is expanding service on several routes to accommodate fans. Dozens of employees will be on hand to help fans get where they need to go.

If you’re flying into Toronto for the concerts, you can take the UP Express train downtown or take the TTC’s 900 express bus to Kipling Station, where you can take the subway to Union Station or other destinations in the city.

GO Transit, Ontario’s regional line, also provides special events during the concerts on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines. There will also be late night special event trips on the Milton Line and service on the Kitchener, Barrie and Stouffville lines will be adjusted.

“There will also be a special event service on some bus lines. Some bus trips will be adjusted to accommodate expected heavy traffic in downtown Toronto.”

SPECIFIC ZONES

The city has special drop-off and pick-up zones. They are located at:

• Front Street West between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue (south side)

• Bay Street between Richmond and Wellington streets (west side)

• York Street between Wellington and Adelaide streets (west side)

• Queens Quay between Bay and Freeland streets (south side)

• Lake Shore Boulevard at Rees Street (north side)

The Rogers Center says fans requiring accessible pickup or drop-off should contact staff on duty to access the following area:

• Gate 7 – located on the south side of Rogers Center at Bremner Boulevard, accessible via Rees Street at Lakeshore Boulevard
• Gate 13 – located on the northwest corner of Blue Jays Way. Recommended accessible access for ticket holders in TD Executive Suites, Ticketmaster Lounge, Premier Suite, TD Executive Lounge and TD Summit Suite.

PARKING

The city says more than 2,000 parking spaces will be available in the Green P parking garages at 40 York Street and 2 Church Street, both located a “convenient distance” from Rogers Centre.

The city is running a special event promo at these two parking lots and at 10 Portland Street, priced at $19.89. (More information here.)

Limited parking is also available at Exhibition Place at 6 Saskatchewan Road and 20 British Columbia Road.

The Rogers Center says there is no parking at the location.

ROAD CLOSURES

The following roads are closed on concert dates:

• 1:00 PM – Westbound lanes on Bremner Boulevard between Rees Street and Navy Wharf Court; The eastbound lanes will remain open for two-way traffic
• 10:00 PM – Front Street between Blue Jays Way and Simcoe Street; John Street south of Wellington Street; Windsor Street south of Wellington Street
• 11:00 PM – Gardiner Expressway eastbound and westbound exits to Spadina Avenue

The city says there will be additional road closures for crowds and traffic management.

All roads and driveways will reopen once the traffic and crowds have cleared, which is expected to be after each concert at 1am.

In the meantime, the following roads are only restricted to local traffic (residents and businesses) from 2 p.m. on concert dates:

• Bremner Boulevard between Spadina Avenue and Simcoe Street

• Northbound lanes on Rees Street. The southbound lanes will remain open for two-way traffic, including an accessible entry point.

• Blue Jays Way between Spadina Avenue and south of Front Street

• The Marriott Hotel will be accessible from Front Street via Blue Jays Way.

Access to the apartments will be via a police checkpoint at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Bremner Boulevard.

Lake Shore Boulevard will be reduced to two westbound lanes at the intersection with Rees Street for a drop-off/pick-up point.

BIKE SHARING

The city says from November 13 to 23 there will be a $19.89 three-day “Swiftie Pass” for cyclists for three days with purchase.

Two Bike Share valet stations will operate each night of the concert, ensuring cyclists have available docks and bikes.

LIMITED ACTIVITY ZONE

From November 14 to November 23, the restricted activity zone is in effect between King, Jarvis and Bathurst streets and Queens Quay.

The city says planned work requiring a road use permit will not be allowed on concert dates within the zone.

Work may take place in this zone on workdays without a concert between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., subject to approval by the city.

NON-ERAS TOUR EVENTS

If you’re one of the unlucky fans without a ticket, there are several events taking place in the city over the two weekends.

TAYLGAAT

A pre-party will be held for fans at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, just down the street from Rogers Centre.

Every match day from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Swifties – whether or not they have tickets for the pop star’s concerts – can watch live DJ sets or participate in a sing-along or interactive dance. There will also be a glam station, bracelet making and places to take photos.

Those planning to go can purchase tickets online for $55.

TAYLOR SWIFT WAY

The city will also host pre-concert programming along Taylor Swift Way, an honor trail connecting Nathan Phillips Square to the Rogers Center this month.

The programming called “TO Poets Department” offers family-friendly and free public activations. It is curated by the city’s poet Lilian Allen, with support from the city’s youth poet Shahaddah Jack.

It includes wandering poets reciting poetry along the route on concert dates from 1pm to 4pm, interactive large-scale blocks of a different word from Taylor Swift’s lyrics and slang stencils showing poetry drawn along sidewalks.

Featuring files from CP24 and CTV Toronto staff