Behind the Scenes: Flying Drones Legally at Rogers Stadium for the Stray Kids x Live Nation Event

As drone professionals, we pride ourselves not just on creative execution but on doing things by the book. Recently, First Class Drones had the opportunity to support Live Nation during the Stray Kids concert at the newly renovated Rogers Stadium in Toronto. While the footage we captured is stunning, the work behind it was even more intricate, especially due to the complex airspace regulations in place.

First ever concert at Rogers Stadium

Flying Drones Legally Under a 5.1 NOTAM: What That Really Means

For this project, we operated under a 5.1 NOTAM a Notice to Airmen that designates temporary restrictions to airspace. In this case, the NOTAM was issued by the military base nearby, which adds a layer of sensitivity to any drone operation.

It’s important to understand that when a 5.1 NOTAM is active, it prohibits any drone flights within its zone unless permission is granted directly by the creator of the NOTAM—in this case, the military.

5.1 NOTAM on NavCan - Do not fly in the red area

Full Legal Clearance: A Multi Layered Process

Before even powering up our drones, we worked closely with multiple stakeholders to get all the required approvals to flying legally:

• Transport Canada – for SFOC approval

• Live Nation and MLSE – as the event organizer and venue coordinator

• Stray Kids’ Management – to ensure artist privacy and safety

• Canadian Military – as the issuer of the NOTAM and the final authority to grant drone access

  
  

This collaboration took weeks of planning and strict compliance with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Without these approvals, flying in this airspace would have been 100% illegal.

The drones view of Rogers Stadium where we were approved to fly in the 5.1 NOTAM

Staying Safe and Respectful: Our Flight Strategy

While we had legal clearance, we still operated conservatively:

• We never flew over people at any point. Safety is always our first priority

• All shots were taken from the outskirts of Rogers Stadium, capturing wide establishing visuals while maintaining distance from the crowds

• We had spotters, VLOS protocols, and emergency plans in place throughout the operation

  
  

This kind of responsibility isn’t just best practice, it’s what keeps our industry trusted.

Flying with our partners at Toronto Police

The Importance of an SFOC at Public Events

Flying at advertised events like concerts requires more than just a drone and a license. You must have a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) from Transport Canada. Yes! Even with a sub 250g drone according to the new rules just released.

Even if you're Advanced certified, an SFOC is legally required when flying near or over crowds for the purpose of the advertised event.

The SFOC proves you’ve coordinated with event organizers, Transport Canada, security, and any other relevant authorities. It outlines your safety plan, insurance, and ensures all risks are addressed.

Flying without one puts people at risk, violates Canadian Aviation Regulations, and could lead to major penalties. At First Class Drones, we never take chances, we always secure an SFOC before flying at public events. It’s how we do things right.

A Note to Fellow Drone Pilots: Please Stay Grounded

We’ve noticed a concerning trend: during major events at Rogers Stadium, more and more drone pilots are taking to the skies without authorization.

Let this be a friendly but firm reminder. When a 5.1 NOTAM is active, you are not allowed to fly unless you have explicit permission from the NOTAM’s creator. That means no flying near Rogers Stadium during concerts, or at any point the NOTAM is active, unless you’ve gone through the proper process and obtained NOTAM permission and a SFOC.

Flying without approval:

• Puts people at risk

• Can lead to fines, license suspension, or criminal charges

• Damages public trust in commercial drone operators

  
  

Getting ready to fly for the show

Closing Thoughts

We’re proud of the work we did on this project, not just the footage, but the way we followed every legal and safety protocol to the letter. As more concerts and high-profile events return to venues like Rogers Stadium, it’s on all of us in the drone community to lead by example.

If you're unsure about flying in controlled or restricted airspace. Don’t risk it! Contact the appropriate authorities, or reach out to us at First Class Drones. We’re happy to share insights or collaborate on compliant operations. Fly Drones Legally.

Stay safe. Stay legal. Stay flying.

 — First Class Drones Team