Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor of psychology who has become one of the most influential public intellectuals in recent years. His work touches on a wide range of topics including psychology, mythology, religion, and politics. Peterson has attracted a large following, especially among young men, due to his lectures on YouTube and his self-help book 12 Rules for Life. However, with his fame also comes controversy as some have accused Peterson of being a radical right-wing figure.
Peterson tours extensively, delivering lectures to sold-out crowds around the world. For those wishing to see Peterson speak live, costs can vary widely depending on the type of event. Factors like the venue, Peterson’s role in the event, and ticket demand can greatly affect prices. This article will explore the typical price ranges for different types of Jordan Peterson events and examine what goes into setting each ticket price.
Large Venue Speaking Events
When Peterson undertakes a major tour, he often plays large theater and arena venues that can seat anywhere from 1,000 to over 10,000 attendees. The ticket prices at these events tend to be the highest to see Jordan Peterson live.
Peterson has done several tours where he was the primary act, meaning he delivered a solo lecture generally lasting two hours with an intermission. On his 12 Rules for Life tour in 2018, tickets ranged from $35 USD for nosebleed seats far from the stage to $128 USD for premium floor seats up close. The venues were large theaters in major cities like Toronto, New York, and London.
In early 2019, Peterson did a European speaking tour with philosopher Sam Harris titled “The End of Faith.” These events featured solo lectures from both men as well as two moderated on-stage discussions between the pair. Tickets for these shows were comparable to the 12 Rules for Life tour, ranging from around $50 USD to $250 USD depending on the city and specific seating section. The venues held between 2,000 to 3,000 people.
When Peterson appears at venues like basketball arenas or large music theaters as part of a conference or festival, tickets can be even higher. For example, at the 2019 LibertyFest conference held at the 10,000-seat Patriot Center in Washington D.C., tickets started at $67 USD for upper deck seats and went up to $797 USD for VIP floor access. However, attendees got to see a full day of speeches from figures like Dave Rubin, Mike Cernovich, and Campbell Brown in addition to an hour-long talk from Peterson.
In general, tickets directly from the venue box office or official ticket sellers for Peterson’s large theater and arena events tend to run:
– Nosebleed/Upper Deck Seats: $35 – $75 USD
– Standard Seating: $75 – $250 USD
– Front Row/Floor Seats: $250 – $500+ USD
Of course, prices can vary greatly depending on the specific tour, city, and type of venue. Scalped tickets purchased from resellers often run 2-3X the face value. Official platinum/dynamic pricing tickets also frequently exceed $500 USD for prime seating on high-demand shows.
Smaller Speaking Events
In between his major tours, Jordan Peterson also makes appearances at smaller venues that may seat 100 to 1,000 people. The smaller capacity allows for more intimate events with tickets generally costing less than large theater shows.
Types of smaller speaking engagements Jordan Peterson participates in include:
– Local Theaters – Peterson has done some talks at smaller local theaters or performing arts centers, especially earlier in his rise to fame. Tickets are normally $50-$150 USD.
– University Speeches – Peterson is a professor at the University of Toronto. He frequently gives talks at colleges and universities during his tours. These are usually solo lectures open to students and the local community with tickets from $20-$75 USD.
– Private Corporate Events – Companies will sometimes hire Peterson to give motivational speeches at corporate conferences and retreats. Of course, tickets are not for sale to the general public for these private events.
– Book Signings – When launching a new book, Peterson will make in-store appearances for book signings and short talks. These are usually free events, but the venues will often sell copies of his book.
– Fundraising & Charity Events – Peterson lends his celebrity to various causes by headlining fundraising galas for groups like wildlife conservation non-profits. Ticket prices vary based on the charity.
– Think Tanks & Associations – Political, religious, and academic groups that align with Peterson’s views will invite him to give speeches at their meetings for a speaker’s fee. Ticket prices are set by the organization.
– TV Show Tapings – Peterson sometimes appears on comedy or political talk shows. Fans can request free tickets from the show to attend the tapings.
For most of these smaller events, if there is a charge, tickets directly from the venue or organizer tend to be in the $20-$100 USD range. The more niche or exclusive the event, the higher the ticket price is likely to be.
VIP & Premium Add-Ons
In addition to general admission tickets, there are often special VIP packages available at Jordan Peterson events. These bundled add-ons enhance the experience for serious fans willing to pay a premium price. Some common VIP offerings include:
– Priority Entry – Get into the venue first before general admission.
– Pre-Show Reception – Food, drinks, and exclusive time to mingle with Peterson before the main event.
– Front Row Seats – Reserved seating closest to the stage.
– Meet & Greet – Get photographs taken with Jordan Peterson and potentially ask him questions.
– Autographed Merchandise – Signed books, posters, or other memorabilia.
– Backstage Tour – Look behind the scenes at the green rooms, staging areas, etc.
– Q&A Session – Special intimate discussion time with an audience Q&A.
– Professional Photo Opp – Session with a pro photographer and prints included.
– Commemorative Laminate/Badge – Collectible credential identifying you as a VIP guest.
– Event Merchandise – Unique shirts, programs, or swag only for VIP ticket holders.
The starting price for most basic VIP upgrades is around $100-$200 USD above general admission. But premium VIP packages with multiple components can run up to $500, $1,000, or even over $3,000 USD per person at the high end. The add-ons and pricing vary significantly between different venues and events.
Latest Ticket Prices and Availability
Jordan Peterson tours frequently, so new events are popping up all the time. He seems to undertake at least one major global tour per year alongside various one-off events. The best way to find his latest schedule is to check his official website at jordanbpeterson.com/events.
This site maintains a live calendar of all Jordan Peterson’s upcoming confirmed appearances with direct links to buy tickets when available. Many events sell out quickly, so it’s recommended to purchase well in advance if interested.
Tickets for individual shows will appear across major marketplaces like Ticketmaster, StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, and more. Prices between secondary market resellers can vary widely depending on supply and demand. Signing up for Jordan Peterson’s email newsletter can help score access to special pre-sales before the general public.
Below are some of Jordan Peterson’s largest scheduled events for 2023 at the time of writing:
| Date | City | Venue | Starting Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 12 | London | The O2 | $75 USD |
| July 6 | Sydney | Qudos Bank Arena | $85 USD |
| September 28 | Toronto | Scotiabank Arena | $50 USD |
| November 9 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | $85 USD |
As his popularity continues to grow, demand for Jordan Peterson events keeps increasing. More tour dates are likely to be added over time. Prices may also rise for premium seats in major markets. Fans should buy tickets early before they become scarce and excessively expensive on secondary markets.
Typical Cost Factors
Why do Jordan Peterson tickets cost what they do? Some key factors that influence pricing:
**Venue Size & Location** – Larger venues and popular big cities drive up prices. Scalping and travel costs also increase in major markets.
**Production Overhead** – Lighting, video, sound systems, and overall event logistics grow with venue capacity. Costs passed on to fans.
**Stage Setup** – Elaborate stages and visuals raise prices compared to simple lectern speeches.
**Peterson’s Role** – His fee is higher when he’s the lone headliner versus part of a conference.
**Booking Fees** – Ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster add service fees, sometimes 20-30% extra.
**Market Demand** – More demand than ticket supply for hot events creates bidding wars.
**VIP Add-Ons** – Add-on costs for special amenities, food, etc. in premium packages.
**Travel Expenses** – International and domestic travel drives up operational costs.
**Promoter Cut** – The event promoter takes a large percentage of revenue.
**Taxes** – Sales taxes, venue fees, and entertainment levies can add 10-20% to ticket prices.
**Insurance** – Major events require liability and cancellation insurance policies.
**Security** – Police and professional security are required, especially amidst protest risks.
Adding up these costs and dividing by the number of seats determines the baseline for ticket prices to see Jordan Peterson. Promoters typically price to the maximum amount they believe the market will bear for different seating tiers.
Is Seeing Peterson Live Worth the Price?
With Jordan Peterson tickets ranging from $20 into the hundreds of dollars, is it worth paying the cost to see him in person? There are reasonable arguments on both sides.
Reasons why seeing Peterson live is worth the price:
– It’s a unique experience compared to free online videos.
– His speaking style and stage presence shine in person.
– Hear the latest material before it’s widely published.
– Feel the energy of being part of a crowd rallying around shared values.
– Expanded content compared to short clips and interviews.
– VIP access provides an intimate setting with Peterson.
– Extremely engaging speaker with insightful life lessons.
– Once-in-a-lifetime experience for serious fans.
Reasons why Peterson tickets may not be worth the high prices:
– Much of his content can be accessed free online.
– Physical crowds and travel create unnecessary hassle.
– Reports of Peterson rambling and lack of concise points.
– Perception by some that his ideas lack substantive depth.
– Q&As and book signings often rushed.
– Controversy around Peterson may not justify contribution.
– Atmosphere and audience behavior can turn some off.
– Cheaper to purchase his writings than see lectures live.
Ultimately, the value of seeing Jordan Peterson in-person depends on an individual’s level of fandom and discretionary income. Casual listeners may be better served saving their money and sticking to free videos. But for devoted supporters who can afford tickets, Peterson’s lectures are often described as inspiring and stimulating.
How to Get Cheaper Tickets
For those operating on a tighter budget, what are some ways to get cheaper tickets to see Jordan Peterson?
– Watch for ticket promotions and special offers through his newsletter.
– Buy seats in the upper levels or obstructed side sections.
– Attend shows midweek instead of weekends.
– Be flexible on city and willing to travel outside your area.
– Purchase just before showtime to get last minute deals.
– Avoid VIP packages and additional fees that add costs.
– Buy just a single ticket since pairs or groups cost more.
– Sign up for pre-sales to get early access to best prices.
– Consider standing room only tickets if physically able.
– Follow fan exchange boards to find below face value tickets.
– Enter radio call-in contests to win free tickets.
– Volunteer as an usher or staff member to gain free admission.
– Arrive extremely early for a shot at rushing unclaimed seats.
With preparation and flexibility, fans on a budget can still experience Peterson’s lectures live. But those wanting front row seats in major cities will inevitably pay premium rates, sometimes in excess of $500 per ticket.
Conclusion
Thanks to his bestselling book and controversial stances, Jordan Peterson has become an in-demand speaker capable of selling out arenas. Typical ticket prices to see him live range from around $20 for small events up to $500+ for VIP treatment at large theaters. Exact costs depend significantly on the specific venue, city, Peterson’s role, and what’s included in a ticket package.
While not cheap, devoted fans argue his insightful speeches and the thrill of the crowd make the experience unforgettable. More casual observers may be better off sticking to free YouTube videos and buying Peterson’s books. Either way, it’s undeniable that Peterson has become a highly sought after personality on the lecture circuit. Checking his website for newly announced events and buying early remain the best strategies for finding affordable tickets.
