Multiple overlapping concerts will make Toronto traffic a nightmare this weekend

Getting anywhere around Toronto is sure to be a downright nightmare this weekend, as multiple overlapping major concerts, the CNE, and a sports game will be taking place across the city on Saturday.

On Aug. 22, practically every major concert venue in Toronto will be hosting a show or event, bringing tens of thousands of people into the downtown core and Exhibition Place. At the Rogers Centre, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will be taking the stage for the final night of his three-show run in Toronto as part of his LOOP tour.

Just a short walk away, Nigerian artist Asake will be performing around the same time at Scotiabank Arena as part of his In God We Trust World Tour.

Traffic will likely come to a standstill in and around Liberty Village and Exhibition Place on Saturday night, as French DJ Hugel will be performing at RBC Amphitheatre. The show also happens to coincide with the opening weekend of the CNE, which runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7 this year.

At the CNE, Canadian musician LIGHTS will be taking the stage at the Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell for a highly anticipated performance on Aug. 22

While not a concert, the Toronto Argonauts game at BMO Field on Saturday night against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will inevitably bring even more people to the Exhibition Place area.

Elsewhere in the city, an estimated 50,000 fans will flock to Rogers Stadium, where South Korean boy band BTS is scheduled to play at 8 p.m. on Saturday, as part of its global tour.

On top of all that, a military convoy is expected to cause additional traffic and delays on highways in Toronto and across the GTA this weekend.

The Department of National Defence (DND) has advised the public of a major movement of army reserves from GTA armouries to Petawawa, which could cause disruptions in and around Toronto.

Units will begin departing from armouries in and around Toronto on the night of Aug. 21 and into Aug. 22, as part of the end-of-summer training Exercise STEADFAST WARRIOR.

So, if you’re planning on heading out on Saturday night, make sure to set extra time aside for your commute and consider taking transit instead.