York University has taken a step into the spotlight with the unveiling of the Bowl at Sobeys Stadium, an open-air venue that will join Toronto’s exciting live music scene.
The venue, a collaboration between the Feldman Agency and Tennis Canada, officially opened its doors on June 27 with a performance by Canadian favourites Barenaked Ladies, supported by the Sam Roberts Band and KT Tunstall. This launch set the stage for a summer lineup that featured reggae icon Shaggy and the “Big Shiny Saturday” concert on July 6, which brought together ’90s rock bands including the Tea Party and Headstones.
Located on York University's Keele Campus, the Bowl offers a capacity of 9,000 and is designed to provide a top-tier concert experience. Its position near the Pioneer Village subway station and major highways makes it easily accessible and able to draw audiences from across the Greater Toronto Area. “The proximity is amazing,” said Jeff Craib, CEO of the Feldman Agency, in a statement at the time of the venue’s launch. “You’ve got a lot of people moving east and north of the city. So it’s nice to have a mid-sized venue that’s not in the downtown core.”
The introduction of the Bowl is part of a broader movement within Toronto’s live music industry, responding to the city’s rapid growth and the increasing demand for diverse entertainment venues. Sobeys Stadium, which also hosts the National Bank Open tennis tournament, serves as a venue for York University’s convocation ceremonies and various athletic events. This multifaceted use underscores its importance to both the University and the surrounding community, enhancing its role as a cultural and social hub.
In a press release announcing the concert series, Michael Downey, former CEO of Tennis Canada, described the venue as “an exciting new initiative for Tennis Canada.” He emphasized the potential to “showcase our world-class venue to a whole new audience,” marking the venue’s evolution into a dual-purpose destination for both sports and live entertainment.
Looking forward, the Bowl at Sobeys Stadium is set to become a cornerstone of Toronto’s entertainment scene. The fall lineup promises to continue the momentum with performances from artists such as Milky Chance on Sept. 12, as well as Bachman-Turner Overdrive, UB40 and Chilliwack on Aug. 24. Plans are also in place to broaden the venue’s programming beyond music to include comedy and other events. As it grows, the Bowl is poised to enrich the cultural offerings of York University and its surrounding community, providing a dynamic platform for a wide array of artists.
Formerly known as the Aviva Centre, the venue was renamed Sobeys Stadium in 2022 after Canadian supermarket chain Sobeys acquired the naming rights.