City councillors praise execution as thousands flock to stadium
Moncton city councillors and thousands of concertgoers were left upbeat after a sold-out Jonas Brothers performance at Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium on Saturday, an event municipal officials say underscores the Hub City’s capacity to host major touring acts.
Greg Turner, a Moncton councillor who attended the show, told local reporters he was "extremely impressed" with how the event was run and that most members of council felt similarly. He said the experience gives councillors a better understanding of the operational side of large-scale entertainment and the role the city must play as host.
“It’s one thing to be on the outside looking in. It’s a different thing to be on the inside looking out,”
Turner said. He added that while the city is not the promoter, working closely with promoters is vital so events run smoothly and so Moncton remains an attractive stop on future tours.
Facilities and recent upgrades noted as advantages
Officials emphasised that Moncton has a range of venues suited to different event sizes. The city highlighted two key sites:
- Avenir Centre — an indoor arena that can accommodate crowds approaching 9,000 people for certain events
- Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium — an outdoor venue able to handle more than 20,000 spectators for concerts; the facility used for the Jonas Brothers show can host roughly 22,000 to 25,000 people depending on tour requirements
Turner pointed to recent investments that improved the stadium’s ability to host concerts, including a specialised flooring system purchased by the previous council. The Jonas Brothers engagement presented one of the first chances for current councillors to see that system in operation.
Local economic activity extends beyond the venue
While detailed economic figures for the event were not released, city officials said the impact was felt across Moncton as hotels, restaurants and other local businesses welcomed visitors who travelled to the concert. Municipal leaders framed such events as opportunities to showcase Moncton and to build relationships with promoters who decide tour routing.
Turner said understanding the responsibilities that come with hosting — from logistics and public safety to facility management — is important for council as it considers whether to pursue similar bookings in future seasons.
| Venue | Approx. capacity for concerts |
|---|---|
| Avenir Centre | ~9,000 |
| Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium | 22,000–25,000 (varies by act) |
What this means for Moncton
City councillors said the successful staging of a high-profile concert could bode well for Moncton’s cultural and economic calendar, provided the municipality continues to collaborate with promoters and maintain its facilities. For residents and local businesses, larger touring acts can mean higher foot traffic, increased hotel occupancy and more customers for downtown and hospitality-sector enterprises.
Municipal leaders will likely weigh the costs and benefits of pursuing similar events, including operational demands on city services and the potential return in visitor spending. For now, the sold-out Jonas Brothers show has given council members direct experience of a complex event and a tangible example to reference when discussing the city’s role as host in the months ahead.
As Moncton considers future bids for major concerts and festivals, officials say continued investment in infrastructure and clear lines of collaboration with promoters will be key to keeping the city on tour itineraries.
