Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped right into the pressure cooker of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour as he and his family joined the November 22, 2024, show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The event marked one of the final shows of Swift’s six-night stint in the city and brought an electrifying end to the Canadian leg of her global tour.
The self-described Swiftie played unlikely matchmaker for the Eras Tour in Canada. When Swift hadn’t announced tour dates in July 2023 and Canadians were anxiously waiting, Trudeau sounded off via social media to join the appeal. Referencing Swift’s song lyrics in a light-hearted tweet, he said, “It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.”
That post generated the most chatter, helping further fuel the fan-driven movement for Swift to consider including Canada on her itinerary. And finally, when Swift announced six Toronto shows, Trudeau welcomed her in another tweet on opening night: “We’re ready for you, @taylorswift13. Good choice wrapping the Eras Tour in Canada. Has this always been your endgame?”
The concert on November 22 was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. Swift took to the stage, electrifying the audience with a performance of her greatest hits, over 40,000-strong inside the Rogers Centre. She also spoke with emotion about why Canada was chosen for the finale tour. This Eras Tour launched in March 2023 in celebration of her music career and testament to her global connection with her fans.
Beyond the music, the city became a core of Swift-themed events: “Taylgates” and friendship bracelet exchanges added to the intensity of the excitement.
The economic benefit that was brought in by Eras Tour has been incredible. When upwards of 240,000 fans traveled to the city for the six-night run, local businesses started to rake it in. For the first three days of Swift’s Toronto shows, spending was up 57% locally, stated the payment service provider Moneris.
All in all, the tour is expected to create $282 million for the city’s economy, including an estimated $40 million in tax revenue. The devotion of Swifties filled hotels, restaurants, and shops, making the event among the highest-paid cultural spectacles lately.
While attending the concert, Trudeau managed to squeeze in some of the official work that brought him to the Greater Toronto Area. Earlier in the day, he announced federal funding for school nutrition programs across Ontario and plans to knock off GST and HST for two months on some essential items. But what actually underlined the way that culture and politics intertwined in one event bringing joy and prosperity to Canadians was his attendance at that concert.
These Toronto concerts marked the penultimate leg of Swift’s Eras Tour. Now, this journey will end in Vancouver with three shows at B.C. Place from Dec 6-8, closing out a record-breaking world tour that has united fans across continents.
