Vancouver's iconic BC Place stadium will host more than 180,000 Taylor Swift fans this weekend.
Given that it's a massive building that's more than 40 years old, ticket-holders may need some tips for navigating the venue for what may be the biggest event ever held there.
An important number to have is the Guest Services line. Once the event has started it will be active for text messages. The number is 778-873-3267.
Getting to venue
The crowds expected in Vancouver's stadium district this weekend are massive. Along with the Swift concerts, there are two NHL games at Rogers Arena, a few Cirque de Soleil shows on the waterfront, and a rave at the Plaza of Nations.
Therefore, special plans have been created to help people get to and from all of the events.
City officials have advised people not to drive if they can avoid it, as there's a finite amount of parking in the area. There will also be road closures and altered traffic patterns in the stadium district.
Those getting dropped off by car, taxi, or ride apps like Uber, can head to a passenger zone. These passenger zones will be on Hamilton and Cambie streets between Smithe and Georgia streets. Another will be east of BC Place on Pacific Boulevard.
An accessible entry point is available at the southern end of BC Place, which you can get to from the west via Pacific Boulevard.
A map has been created to help guide concertgoers and drivers. (See slide 3)
TransLink has also increased service on the days of the concerts across the transit system, and there are the little ferries in False Creek.
Getting into BC Place
Once on location, it's essential to have a ticket. Authorities have already said gathering at BC Place without a ticket will not be allowed.
Essentially, Tay-gating will not be a thing in Vancouver.
A fenced perimeter is being set up around the stadium property, creating space between the building and the general public.
Only people with tickets or event staff will be allowed inside that barrier. Gates will be set up to allow ticket-holders through; there will be a bag check there.
Additionally, BC Place management is telling people going to the shows not to gather at the stadium before 3:30 p.m. on the days of the shows. There will be no camping out or early line-ups. (Want to know about merch? Scroll down!)
BC Place will open up at 4:30 p.m. each day.
BC Place has eight gates, from "A" to "H." The best gate to enter is listed on the concert tickets. If it's not, the ticket needs to be re-downloaded.
A secondary security check will take place at the entrance to the stadium.
Hanging around outside the stadium
Tay-gating will not be allowed. At all.
"If you don't have a ticket, don't come to the stadium district on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," said Chris May, the general manager of BC Place.
What you can take in the stadium
BC Place has an updated bag policy for the Taylor Swift concerts. (See slide 2)
Bags in general aren't encouraged, but specific types will be allowed. All bags may be searched.
- Clutch purse or belt bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
- Clear plastic bag no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”
- Clear bags may have a printed logo no larger than 3.5” x 4.5” on only one side of the bag
Exceptions may be provided for diaper bags and medically necessary items that cannot fit into a clear bag, notes the venue.
A bag check will be available for a $20 fee.
Friendship bracelets are allowed, but concertgoers must be wearing them or they must fit inside bags that are allowed in the stadium.
BC Place has a full list of items that are prohibited. It includes selfie sticks, professional photo or video equipment, large signs, strollers, and umbrellas.
Illegal drugs are also prohibited.
In regards to cameras, even some point-and-shoot digital cameras are not permitted.
"Per tour policy, cameras with extendable or attachable lenses are not permitted (including point-and-shoot cameras if the lens is extendable). Disposable cameras and the cameras on the back of your cell phone are permitted," a rep for BC Place clarified in an email to V.I.A.
Food and drink in the stadium
BC Place has confirmed there will be "specialty items for Swifties to enjoy."
While a full menu hasn't been made public, some Swift-specific items include chai sugar cookies and "seemingly ranch" sauce for chicken tenders (likely familiar references for Swift fans).
Land acknowledgement
Fans attending the Eras Tour shows in Toronto saw a screen inside the Rogers Centre offering a land acknowledgement, as is customary at many gatherings in Canada.
So can we expect the same for Vancouver?
According to the venue, it is not a requirement, but an option, with the decision ultimately left up to the tour.
"BC Place always encourages our clients to consider incorporating meaningful land acknowledgements as part of their events," a representative for the venue told V.I.A. by email. "We recognize the importance of honouring the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and we support efforts to create an inclusive environment at our venue. We cannot, however, comment on the creative aspects of this specific show production at this time."
Bathrooms at the stadium
With most of Taylor Swift's fans identifying as female, the expectation is for 90 per cent of the audience to be female.
To deal with the gender disparity and washroom demand, BC Place is converting some men's washrooms to women's, and others into gender-neutral washrooms.
Additional washrooms are also going to be brought on-site to help keep lineups and wait times to a minimum.
Merchandise at the stadium
Because of the limited access to the stadium property, BC Place will not host the public Eras Tour merchandise ("merch") sale; that event will take place off-site from Dec. 4 to 8. Anyone is welcome to queue up to buy official tour merch.
The sale is at Canada Place, with the queue on the west side of the iconic "five sails" building on Vancouver's waterfront.
However, ticket-holders will be able to shop from merch stands at the venue starting at 4:30 p.m. each afternoon when the venue opens.
Facilities in the stadium
Being a massive stadium, BC Place has a variety of amenities, and staff at guest services locations can help those seeking them.
Guest services are located on the concourse near sections 103, 234, 307 and 446.
Sensory kits are available (though there's a limited number. Guest service locations will have them. There is also a sensory room near section 250.
One thing BC Place doesn't have many of is elevators. There are only three for concertgoers to use, located near gates C, F, and H.
Lactation pods for those who need them are located at sections 225 and 252. An app from Mamava is required to use them.
Will the BC Place roof be open?
The roof of BC Place can be opened up, but will not be for the duration of the Eras Tour's time at the stadium, according to BC Place management.
The Jumbotron and screen set-up
May said they have offered the tour the use of the Jumbotron but the decision is up to them. As of last week, BC Place had not been made aware of specific plans for its use or for where the tour organizers intend to set up screens. That includes what screens may be added in the behind-the-stage area where tickets were sold last week.
Fan projects
Each of the three nights has a different "fan project" plan, presented on a single website built by a local fan.
Night 1: December 6
This night will mark Taylor Swift’s return to Vancouver since The 1989 World Tour in August 2015. TAYcouver Swifties want to make sure she feels welcomed in our city, and are planning to chant “Welcome to B.C., we’ve been waiting for you” to the tune of “Welcome to New York.”
Night 2: December 7
With the end of the tour being so close, attendees of the second night want to take a moment to thank Taylor Swift and her team for the incredible experience that The Eras Tour has been. Attendees can visit the Fan Project website to see what “era” represented-colour section they are seated in. Then, when the time comes, they will hold up their phones with their designated coloured screens and chant "Thank you!" (See slide 4 for a map.)
Night 3: December 8
The Eras Tour comes to a close just five days shy of Ms. Swift's birthday (on Dec. 13). Swifties will count down to a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday" to round off the three-night concert series in Vancouver.
Leaving the stadium
As the shows will end around 11 p.m. and people do live in the neighbourhoods surrounding BC Place, authorities are asking fans to be respectful as they leave the concerts.
Transit service is being extended for the concert nights, with SkyTrain and SeaBus routes operating until around 1:15 a.m. The ferries in False Creek are also extending service.
A special shuttle bus from TransLink has been organized to take people after the shows from West Georgia and Hamilton streets to Waterfront station.
