Chris Martin Clarifies Comments on Toronto’s Rogers Stadium

During a recent concert series in Toronto, Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, addressed comments he made regarding the newly opened Rogers Stadium. After describing the venue as a “weird stadium in the middle of nowhere,” Martin clarified his remarks, emphasizing that he meant no offense to the stadium’s design or to those who built it.

In a video shared by MuchMusic on July 8, 2025, Martin expressed gratitude for the venue, stating, “I have never criticized this stadium that was beautifully, kindly built for us to play in.” He continued, “I’m so grateful to have somewhere where we can hang out with all of you… Thank you for the effort that you all took to come here.” His comments came after initial remarks during the concert that were widely circulated by local media.

Martin’s comments were made during the opening night of Coldplay’s four-night stand at Rogers Stadium, where he acknowledged the challenges fans faced to attend the show. “Thank you for coming through all the bulls— you had to come through to this weird stadium in the middle of nowhere,” he said, referring to the difficulties surrounding travel to the venue.

Following the first concert, Martin reiterated his appreciation for the fans and clarified that he did not intend to insult journalists who reported on his comments. “I don’t mean to disrespect any journalists either. I love all people, and I don’t want to say anything mean about anyone,” he stated.

Fan Experience and Stadium Challenges

The opening of Rogers Stadium has not been without its challenges. Fans reported long wait times, with some experiencing up to two hours to exit the venue after the show. Issues with transit access to the stadium have also been highlighted, with nearby stations struggling to accommodate the large crowds attending events.

In light of these concerns, Live Nation, the operator of the venue, pledged to improve the experience for concert-goers. Ahead of Coldplay’s first performance, the company announced plans to reconfigure exit routes to facilitate smoother dispersal to multiple nearby subway stations. Additional measures included increasing signage, lighting, and staffing, as well as providing more water stations.

Despite these efforts, concert attendees like Leigh Marshall and Adam Archdekin expressed dissatisfaction with the post-concert experience, stating they felt “herded like cattle” while waiting to exit the stadium for 40 minutes after the show concluded.

The stadium’s location has drawn comments from other performers as well. During a recent show, Bang Chan of the K-pop group Stray Kids humorously remarked, “I don’t know where we are right now,” and noted that the venue felt “legit in the middle of nowhere.”

As Coldplay continues its run at Rogers Stadium, the next major act scheduled to perform is Blackpink, who will take the stage for two shows on July 22 and July 23, 2025.

With the ongoing discussions about the venue, it remains to be seen how the stadium will adapt to enhance the experience for fans and artists alike.