#FIRSTLOOK: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PRESENT “OVO”

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, a world leader in live entertainment, is pleased to announce its most ambitious project to-date as it gets ready to break ground on an impressive free-standing structure that will be presented for the first time in Canada. Building on four decades of pushing the boundaries of the imagination, the company is bringing its creative approach to The Pavilion by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, located at 2150 Lake Shore Blvd. W., in Toronto, ON. A hybrid of the iconic Big Top experience and worldclass arena atmosphere, The Pavilion is set to welcome audiences for the premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s 25th production, OVO, beginning May 1 to June 28, 2025. For more information and tickets, go to www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.

“The Pavilion is a cutting-edge approach to how we can bring live entertainment to more audiences in more places around the world. The versatility of its design allows us to present a wide-ranging and ever-growing array of exciting shows under the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group portfolio,” says Duncan Fisher, Chief Officer Show Operations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “The Pavilion embodies the spirit of innovation and ingenuity that Cirque du Soleil is known for, and we are thrilled to bring this new venue experience to Toronto – a city that has always embraced our artistic vision.”

The Pavilion – By The Numbers:
The Pavilion is the world’s largest free-standing venue measuring 60 meters wide by 75 meters long and stands 25 meter tall. The structure is about the size of 40 shipping containers
The steel frame structure is made from 4480 pieces of hardware, including 756 wall panels
The structure is secured by as many as 128 anchors (each 12ft long) dug into the ground
It will take approximately 28 days to assemble The Pavilion (working around the clock 24/7); and three weeks to dismantle
The Pavilion can be configured to accommodate up to 5000 seats in various formations

The original concept of a ‘mobile arena’ by Cirque du Soleil made its debut in Sanya, China in 2018 for the premiere of Toruk. The structure was developed in partnership with Belgium-based company, Spantech, a global leader in building large-scale modular structures. Since then, the mobile arena concept has travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil (Crystal, 2024), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Toruk, 2018), and coming to Toronto, Canada.

The Canadian version, The Pavilion, will be unique to previous Cirque du Soleil mobile arenas featuring an all-new building facade that emulates the iconic Big Top with its signature stripes and Chapiteau silhouette to welcome visitors as they enter the venue. And unlike a permanent structure, the stage and seating configuration of The Pavilion is interchangeable to suit different shows from smaller intimate settings to 360 viewing.

Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at The Pavilion: May 1 – June 28, 2025
Cirque du Soleil’s 25th production, OVO (“egg” in Portuguese), is a bountiful riot of energy, movement, wonder, and joy found in nature. Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting insect species and their unique personalities and abilities, OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy. Since its first and only stop in Toronto in 2009, OVO has recently added new acts, new characters, new music and is set to dazzle a new generation of all-ages! From mighty crickets bouncing off trampolines to a hypnotic spider contorting inside her web, OVO exudes extraordinary showmanship to tickle the imagination. Comprised of 100 people from 25 different countries, including 52 artists, OVO brings to the stage high-level acrobatic acts redefining the limits of the human body. OVO is presented by Sun Life, principal partner of the Canadian tour. Cirque du Soleil also wishes to thank its official partners Air Canada and Mastercard.