Everything you need to know about getting to Garth Brooks in Saskatoon

With 15,500 Garth Brooks fans expected to file into the SaskTel Centre during each of six shows in Saskatoon this week, organizers are warning concert-goers to expect delays. Brooks' wife Trisha Yearwood will be performing on stage alongside him. 

Here's everything you need to know to pre-plan for the big night.  

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Show times

Thursday, June 9 
Single show, with a 15-20 minute opening act by Aaron Pritchett: Doors open 6 p.m., show time 7:30 p.m. 

Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11
Early show: Doors open 5:30 p.m., show time 7 p.m.   
Late show: Pre-screening area in the SaskTel South End parking lot opens at 8:30 p.m. 
Doors are expected to open at 10 p.m. but could be later. Show time is 10:30 p.m. 

Sunday, June 12
Single show, with a 15-20 minute opening act by Aaron Pritchett: Doors open 6 p.m., show time is 7:30 p.m. 

Organizers are emphasizing the need to arrive early to be pre-scanned and clear security.

Tickets

Concert-goers are being urged to pick up 'will call' tickets from the SaskTel Centre box office before the show date. 

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Guests who have purchased credit card entry tickets will need to make sure their entire party enters at the same time, and will have to present the same card they used to purchase the tickets before entering. A ticket-taker will swipe the card. 

Fans with e-tickets, which are shown as a QR code on the Ticketmaster app, also need to enter at the same time as their entire party.  

Guests with Ticketfast Print-At-Home tickets should be printed on 8 1/2 x 11" paper and taken to the show.  

Parking

Some free on-site parking is available at the SaskTel Centre on a first-come, first-serve basis, but concert-goers are encouraged to carpool where possible. 

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There will be traffic restrictions on Idylwyld Drive. On Friday and Saturday, beginning at 8:30 p.m., left turns from Idylwyld Drive onto Marquis Drive will not be permitted to accommodate vehicles leaving the first show. Motorists are being warned that delays will occur, so plan to leave home early. 

"Rock Star" parking, sold through Ticketmaster, is also available at the SaskTel Centre for $10. 

Other transportation 

A park and ride shuttle service will also be available for $5 per round trip.

The service starts at 5:45 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, and 5:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

The pickup points are:

• Lawson Heights Mall (134 Primrose Drive).
• Confederation Mall (300 Confederation Drive).
• Market Mall (2325 Preston Avenue). 
• Another pickup point near Old Navy at Preston Crossing (1718 Preston Avenue North) will be used for the 10:30 p.m. shows. 

Saskatoon Transit buses usually take about an hour to reach the SaskTel Centre from the downtown terminal on 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue, but the extra traffic could lead to delays.

Regular $3 adult one-way fares apply, and the buses will drop off two blocks from the venue on Marquis Drive. 

For those concert-goers getting a ride from a friend, drop-offs will be routed down Apex Street. Saskatoon Police and parking attendants will provide directions. 

Guests with disabilities or mobility challenges should enter using 60th Street, routed down Apex Street, and use the venue ramp on the south side of the building, adjacent to Highway 16. 

Taxis, limos and private charter buses will all drop off at SaskTel Centre. 

Other tips 

The SaskTel Centre offered this advice to help the concerts run safely and smoothly.  

• Be patient. Delays will occur.
• Don't drink and drive. Tailgating is being discouraged. 
• Pedestrians stay on sidewalks, so as not to impede traffic.
• Rain is the forecast on some days, so dress accordingly.
• Photography is not allowed using any professional cameras or zoom lenses, nor are iPads or tablets permitted.
• Travel light with small bags (not backpacks) and do not take prohibited items. 
• Small umbrellas that can fit under your seat will be permitted if it's raining. 
• Travel mugs and water bottles from outside the venue will not be allowed, but you can buy alcohol inside the venue, with a limit of two drinks per customer, per transaction.