Harry Styles, former member of the popular boy band One Direction, has become one of the biggest solo stars in the world. His recent “Love On Tour” has been hugely successful, routinely selling out massive arenas across North America, Europe, and Latin America. However, the immense popularity has come at a cost for fans, as ticket prices have skyrocketed, especially for seats in the nosebleed sections. This article will take a deep dive into just how expensive Harry Styles tickets have become, particularly for seats in the upper levels of venues.
Harry Styles’ Popularity
After One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Harry embarked on a solo career that saw him score major hits with songs like “Sign of the Times” and “Watermelon Sugar.” His self-titled debut album was released in 2017 and went to #1 in over 20 countries. The follow-up, 2019’s Fine Line, was an even bigger smash, launching multiple top 10 singles and earning Styles his first Grammy award.
In 2019-2020, Harry’s “Love On Tour” sold over 2.8 million tickets across Europe, North America, and Latin America. When the tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand remained sky-high. His 2022 North American leg smashed Ticketmaster sales records, selling over 700,000 tickets in a single day. In total, the tour is expected to sell over 5 million tickets globally.
High Demand Drives Up Prices
Due to incredibly high demand from Harry’s enormous fanbase, ticket prices have exploded across all areas of his shows. However, the upper deck and behind the stage “nosebleed” sections have seen some of the most dramatic price increases.
For example, when Harry played New York’s Madison Square Garden in August 2022, official platinum nosebleed seats were priced from $289 to $475 each. For his upcoming 2023 LA shows at the Kia Forum, the cheapest seats are currently starting around $250 before fees. Meanwhile, in Europe, upper tier tickets at his Vienna concert are priced from €145 to €215 apiece.
Why Nosebleeds?
Fans are clearly willing to pay premium prices for nosebleed Harry Styles seats, even with obstructed views, for several reasons:
- Huge demand – Harry’s shows routinely sell out in minutes.
- FOMO – Fans don’t want to miss out on the experience.
- Limited tour dates – He’s only playing 1-2 nights per city.
- Production value – His shows feature elaborate lighting/sets.
- Surprise songs – He often performs rare/unreleased tracks.
Many fans simply want to be in the same room with Harry to soak up the atmosphere. They are banking on his reputation for creating an amazing concert experience regardless of their seat location. Given the immense excitement around Harry’s tour and huge ticket demand, prices for nosebleed seats will likely remain high in 2023 and beyond.
Average Nosebleed Ticket Prices by City
Here is a breakdown of average nosebleed ticket prices for Harry Styles’ 2022-2023 tour stops:
| City | Venue | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Kia Forum | $250 |
| New York | Madison Square Garden | $400 |
| London | Wembley Stadium | £150 |
| Toronto | Scotiabank Arena | $225 |
| Paris | Accor Arena | €180 |
As you can see, nosebleed Harry Styles tickets average between $250-400 USD in North America, £100-150 in the UK, and €150-200 in Europe. Of course, prices also vary within each city based on the specific show date.
Most Expensive Examples
While average nosebleed prices are steep, the most expensive upper level Harry Styles tickets reach shocking levels:
- New York MSG: $600+ per ticket
- Los Angeles Forum: $500+
- London Wembley: £300+
- Austin Moody Center: $425+
- Chicago United Center: $350+
These extreme prices are for the first 1-5 rows near the lower concourse, where the view is slightly better. Nevertheless, paying $600 for an obstructed view Harry Styles seat is obviously only for the most devoted (or wealthy) fans.
Secondary Market Prices
On secondary resale sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats, Harry Styles nosebleed tickets can routinely double or triple in price closer to show dates. For example:
- StubHub NYC: $650+
- Vivid Seats LA: $700+
- Vivid Seats Chicago: $850+
- StubHub Austin: $900+
- StubHub London: £600+
These resale prices often exceed $1,000 per ticket, even for the worst views. Again, demand from die-hard Harry Styles fans enables sellers to charge astronomical amounts, which many are still willing to pay.
Tips For Affordable Tickets
For fans hoping to secure affordable Harry Styles nosebleed seats, here are some tips:
- Buy general admission floor tickets – Much cheaper way to get in the door
- Try presales like American Express or fan club presales
- Buy tickets for shows on weeknights instead of weekends
- Be ready right at the on-sale time and join queues immediately
- Consider shows in smaller markets like Kansas City or Louisville where demand is lower
Acting fast is key, as Harry’s shows are prone to immediate sell-outs. Ultimately, persistence and flexibility are vital for finding reasonably priced tickets.
Will Prices Drop Closer to Shows?
In general, Harry Styles ticket prices tend to only increase as show dates approach. However, there are certain scenarios where nosebleed seats may drop in the final 2-4 weeks before concerts if:
- The show isn’t completely sold out
- He adds more tour dates diluting demand
- Speculative resellers lower prices to offload inventory
- Fans re-sell extra tickets below market value
For the most in-demand cities like Los Angeles and London, significant price drops are unlikely. But for some venues, it’s possible to find last minute deals on upper level seats if you monitor closely.
Is it Worth It?
Only the most devoted Harry Stylers would argue that paying $500+ for a tiny glimpse of the stage is “worth it” in any rational sense. However, being there to share the excitement with thousands of ardent fans does have intangible value. Many who’ve paid the high prices still consider it a bucket list experience.
Ultimately, every fan needs to decide if the bragging rights of attending are worth the hefty price tag, especially for inferior seats. But the exception demand and fervent fandom around Harry’s tour will likely keep nosebleed ticket prices at a premium level moving forward.
Conclusion
In 2022 and 2023, landing Harry Styles nosebleed seats requires paying steep prices ranging from $250 to over $1,000 per ticket in many cities. Demand vastly exceeds supply, as his concerts instantly sell out. While upper deck views are far from ideal, the fear of missing out drives fans to fork over huge sums just to get inside his shows. Given Harry’s superstar status and phenomenal popularity, the trend of astronomical nosebleed ticket prices appears likely to continue indefinitely. Only the most determined and deep-pocketed devotees will be willing and able to purchase them moving forward.
