Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ends in Vancouver this weekend: What you should know

After nearly two years of friendship bracelets and sparkly bodysuits, Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour is finally coming to an end.

The tour, which spans five continents and includes nearly 150 shows, makes its final stop this weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia, where Swift will perform her final three shows.

Since its launch in March 2023, the Eras Tour has become the highest-grossing concert tour in history while establishing itself as a cultural phenomenon – frequently making headlines and constantly generating excitement and speculation among fans.

As early as summer 2023, the Federal Reserve credited the tour with boosting the U.S. economy by boosting tourism. Her film “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” released in October, became the highest-grossing domestic concert film of all time at the end of its opening weekend in North America.

The hype surrounding her tour, fueled by her release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” and “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” last year, landed Swift Time magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year award. The release of their latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, in April brought new twists to the international leg of their tour this year.

Meanwhile, universities across the country have introduced Swift-themed courses to analyze everything from her poetry to her business strategies. Swifties’ frustration with the hassle of purchasing Eras tour tickets also provided a powerful political force and helped launch the federal investigation into Ticketmaster’s dominance of the ticketing industry.

The Eras Tour setlist includes dozens of songs from Swift’s many studio albums – called “Eras” – including some that she had never played on tour before. For many who snagged tickets, the magnitude of Swift’s three-hour-plus shows will be remembered all too well.

The 2023 Eras Tour began in Arizona and traveled to a total of 20 cities across the United States over a period of approximately five months. In August 2023, Swift launched the first international leg of her tour, traveling to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil before taking a few months off. The Eras Tour was briefly struck by tragedy when a 23-year-old fan died in extreme temperatures at their show in Rio de Janeiro last year.

In 2024, Swift restarted her tour in February, starting with Japan and then quickly moving on to Australia and Singapore. Swift toured Europe extensively this year, performing in France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Poland, among other destinations. She also traveled to England, Scotland and Wales in the United Kingdom. (Their performances in Vienna were canceled this year because, according to police, it was a foiled terrorist attack.)

This year, the Eras Tour returned to the United States for shows in Florida, Louisiana and Indiana. After playing six nights in Toronto last month, Swift’s next three shows in Vancouver will mark the true end of an era.

Here’s what fans should know about the final shows.

When do the Vancouver shows start?

The final stop of the Eras Tour begins Friday night in Vancouver, where Swift will perform three back-to-back shows at BC Place Stadium throughout the weekend. From December 6th to 8th, doors open at 4:30 p.m. for the 6:45 p.m. performance.

According to the stadium, concert-goers are not allowed to line up before 3:30 p.m. on event days, and overnight camping is strictly prohibited. Visitors can bring a small bag (e.g. a handbag) or a larger, clear bag into the stadium.

What Canadian officials have to say to Swifties

As Canada prepares for another influx of international fans eager to witness the end of Swift’s tour, the Canada Border Services Agency recommends visitors review its list of travel tips for border crossings, including bringing proper identification and preparing to declare all goods that they bring with them.

Swifties entering Canada by air can also save time by filing their customs declaration in advance, according to the agency. And travelers entering by land can plan more efficiently by checking current wait times at various border crossings.

“The CBSA invests significant effort in planning and preparing for peak travel times,” a spokesperson told NBC News in an email. “The agency is monitoring travel volumes and working hard to minimize border wait times at ports of entry without compromising security.”

No Tayl gating is permitted in the stadium

The ticketless Swifties in Vancouver won’t be gathering outside the stadium to sing along this time. Fans enjoyed the tradition wherever it was allowed during the Eras Tour, as Swift’s shows were often accompanied by huge crowds in stadium parking lots hoping to catch a glimpse or just enjoy the music.

But for their final three shows, access to the areas surrounding BC Place is closed to non-ticket holders. Chris May, the venue’s general manager, said in a media briefing last week: “If you don’t have tickets, there’s no reason to go to Taylgate,” the Canadian Press reported.

“There is no designated gathering area outside,” May told reporters. “Our focus is on the safety of ticket holders and guests.”

BC Place confirmed to NBC News that the stadium will be fenced off around the perimeter, and its website said the streets around the stadium will be closed from noon to midnight on event days.

Will there be any surprises?

The rumor mill has been churning non-stop during the Eras Tour, and Swift’s latest show is no exception.

As always, fans are hoping for the long-awaited announcement of one of their only unreleased re-recorded albums: Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and their debut Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version). Others are keeping their fingers crossed for the announcement of a behind-the-scenes documentary about the Eras Tour or for Swift to put “Long Live” – ​​a song largely dedicated to her fans – back on the set list for the final shows.

However, none of the rumors have been confirmed by Swift or her team, and it’s common for the eager speculation to go nowhere. Meanwhile, there has been some grumbling online from fans planning their own surprise: They would sing “Happy Birthday” to Swift on the final night of the tour, the Sunday just before her birthday on December 13th.