Def Leppard and Jason Aldean headline new summer stadium festival

The Winnipeg Football Club (WFC) and True North Sports + Entertainment are teaming up to bring a new annual summer music festival to Winnipeg. The Thunder Stadium Concert Series presented by Trans Canada Brewing Company (TCB) brings two days of incredible live music and unforgettable experiences to Princess Auto Stadium this July with headliners Def Leppard – July 9 – and Jason Aldean – July 10 – who both sold out Canada Life Centre upon their last visits to Winnipeg.

“Our vision is to make the Thunder Stadium Concert Series an annual Winnipeg musical summer tradition and a destination that brings in fans from out of market,” said Wade Miller, Winnipeg Football Club President and CEO. “It’s been almost eight years since Winnipeggers have been treated to a stadium show, and we are excited to host this new festival at Princess Auto Stadium.”

In collaboration with Saskatchewan festival Craven Country Thunder, True North and the WFC have curated a new Canadian stadium circuit to bring top talent to the prairies and western Canada following an extended absence of large-scale outdoor shows in the region.

“Led by mega act Def Leppard and Jason Aldean, who’s had more Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart than any other artist since 2005, these star-studded rock and country lineups will mark an explosive and long-overdue musical return to Princess Auto Stadium,” said Kevin Donnelly, True North’s Sr. Vice President of Venues + Entertainment. “Stadium shows and festivals are quickly becoming summer’s hottest entertainment ticket across North America, and we are excited to create the blueprint to bring a unique festival experience to Manitoba’s backyard.”

Heralded as the world’s greatest live rock band, Def Leppard will bring an arsenal of hits to a spectacular stage show, joined by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and the multi-platinum Foreigner, responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems, including the worldwide No. 1 hit I Want To Know What Love Is. Canadian super group Toque will set the tone as the opening act and includes local ties with Winnipeg native Brent Fitz, formerly of Slash, on bass and keyboards.

Fresh off his sold-out U.S. Highway Desperado tour, ACM Artist of the Decade and three-time ACM Artist of the Year Jason Aldean will be joined by Tyler Hubbard, formerly half of acclaimed duo Florida Georgia Line, who followed his first solo single 5 foot 9 – the first-ever country song to receive the Diamond certification – with his self-titled debut album in 2023. Up-and-comers Nate Smith, Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist for 2024, and Platinum-certified No. 1 songwriter poised for breakout, Canadian Madeline Merlo will warm up the crowd.

Single event tickets or “Thunder Passes” for both shows are available, including two VIP options, standing and seated, which provide exclusive front-of-stage viewing and private hospitality services, along with upgraded amenities and access including early entry, express service at merchandise kiosks and private, elevated restroom amenities.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Valour FC, Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose season ticket members will have access to an exclusive pre-sale beginning Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Wednesday, Feb. 5 will mark the artists’ pre-sale with access also provided to WFC, Valour and True North (Jets, Moose, All Access) email subscribers beginning at 10 a.m. All pre-sales end at 9:59 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7 with the general on-sale starting Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.