If you don’t have a ticket to the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Vancouver but want to exchange friendship bracelets, where do you go? That’s the question being raised by fans on Facebook as they hope to celebrate in the city but have recently learned that options aren’t as obvious as they might have hoped.
According to officials, “If you don’t have a ticket, don’t come. There will be no designated fan events,” Chris May, the general manager of BC Place, said during a press briefing.
Tailgating, or Taylgating, is not allowed at BC Place, and fences will be raised to prevent non-ticket holders from approaching the stadium before the shows.
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“Who will be outside or around town during n3 bc they didn’t get tickets? And before you comment, yes I know they’re enforcing no tailgating. I would just like to meet up with some ticketless swifties to gift you guys friendship bracelets to make your trip more fun 🫶🏼🫶🏼” one person posed on Facebook earlier this week.
While some might be disappointed, it’s not uncommon practice.
“Vancouver isn’t the only city that has done this; I know for a fact that London did it for every show there due to security issues,” one person shared on Reddit, likely referring to the terrorist threat that cancelled Swift’s shows in Austria over the summer.
According to others in the Facebook group, previous concerts had incredibly tight security as well.
“In Miami in October this year they scanned my ticket 4 times on the way in, starting at the drop off lot across the street/bridge,” one person shared.
However, some said that the situation was very different in Toronto.
“In Toronto I only had to scan my ticket once. It was at my gate. I walked in with water in my pocket and no one checked so I was able to keep the top for my water the whole time,” one fan explained.
@blogto End of an era🙂↕️ #tswift #taylorswift #erastour #erastourtaylorswift #toronto #torontotiktok #tiktoktoronto #fyp ♬ original sound – blogTO
But another person cautioned about being too casual and expecting to sneak your way in.
“[The] set up at Toronto is way different than the BC place so I’m pretty sure they are going to be very proactive to check you a few times before you get in the actual door,” they said.
It’s important to note that while previous venues might have a bit more space outside for crowds and saw thousands bringing chairs and blankets to hang out outside during the show, BC Place is limited, and the surrounding area consists of streets and properties, making an obvious tailgating spot pretty difficult for thousands of people.
“That’s kind of sad. So many people couldn’t get tickets and would love to experience part of it. I’m not a swifty but I appreciate that this is a big thing for a lot of kids. (And adults lol),” one person said.
Not to mention that Rogers Arena, less than 300 metres away, is also expecting a potential 19,000 fans on Friday and Sunday, which could mean an even greater challenge meeting up with people in that area or potential safety concerns.
“Haha, they have no clue what is in store for them. Not letting fans line up before 3:30pm, good f’ing luck. There will be literally thousands showing up just for merch… Also, how they managed to schedule a Canucks game, Cirque, and the biggest tour in history, all within nearly a square km, on the same night is wild,” one reader shared with Daily Hive.
Plus, even if you have a ticket and want to pre-party outside leading up to the show, BC Place has rules against that, too.
“Ticketholders are not permitted to line up before 3:30 p.m. on show days, and overnight camping is strictly prohibited,” they said.
One person suggested moving the tailgating to the Vancouver Art Gallery.
“Honestly there’s no benefit to going through the barrier with no ticket. There won’t be any merch until you get inside the stadium and if you are loitering they will remove you. Someone needs to be a hero and bring a loud speaker to the Art Gallery or something and throw an outdoor party for Swifties,” they said.
Others are suggesting Science World, which is about a 15-minute walk from BC Place, as an unofficial bracelet exchange spot.
Some joked that Costco could be a good location.
“That’s ok, there’s always Costco. That’s where everyone goes before a concert or a game,” they said on Reddit.
Another quipped that not having more events or allowing a big outside party was a loss of financial revenue.
Edmonton Oilers fans gather outside the arena during the cup run for a free viewing party complete with a big screen showing the game in 2023. (Edmonton Oilers/X)
“Wasted economic opportunities. Why not have a gated area like the NHL playoffs in Toronto and Edmonton where people could spend money. Literally free money and gets people working,” they said online.
Toronto did not officially hold a tailgating party, but a crowd did gather at the Toronto Convention Centre.
“That’s lame. I’m in Toronto right now and I’m not even a Taylor Swift fan but the tailgate was awesome, it reminded me of an NFL game but with less excessive drunkenness,” they said about that experience.
Another quipped that Vancouver is just a different kind of city, with a reputation for flakiness anyway.
“If 100k Vancouverites said they’d turn up to the tailgate it would only be 12 people standing there wondering why everyone else flaked due to 10 degrees & drizzle,” they joked.
On the days of the concerts, there are many events around town for those who want to hang out with other like-minded fans and trade friendship bracelets. Plus, there are after-parties for those who want to dance the night away.