Springsteen concert tickets can vary widely in price depending on the venue, tour, and seat location. On average, Springsteen tickets tend to be on the more expensive side compared to other classic rock acts, with front row seats going for several hundred dollars or more. However, there are still usually affordable ticket options available in the upper sections. Prices also differ between Bruce’s solo shows versus E Street Band shows, with the E Street Band commanding a premium. Overall, expect to spend at minimum around $100 per ticket for nosebleed seats and up to $1,000+ for premium floor or front row tickets at larger arenas on major tours.
Average Ticket Prices by Tour
Here is a look at average ticket prices for some of Bruce Springsteen’s recent tours:
| Tour | Year | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Western Stars Solo Tour | 2019 | $150 |
| Springsteen on Broadway | 2017-2018 | $503 |
| The River Tour 2016 | 2016 | $202 |
| High Hopes Tour | 2014 | $165 |
| Wrecking Ball Tour | 2012-2013 | $120 |
As you can see, his solo tours like Western Stars tend to be less expensive on average than full E Street Band tours like The River Tour. The Springsteen on Broadway residency commanded the highest average ticket price by far.
Ticket Prices by Venue
Ticket prices for Bruce Springsteen concerts also differ substantially based on venue. Arena shows tend to have the most expensive tickets, especially floor seats closest to the stage. Stadium shows have more affordable upper deck and last row seats. Smaller theaters provide more intimate concert experiences but have limited ticket availability.
Here are some example starting prices for different venues on Bruce’s 2016 River Tour:
| Venue | City | Cheapest Seats | Most Expensive Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Center | Chicago | $65 | $350 |
| LA Memorial Sports Arena | Los Angeles | $75 | $499 |
| Wachovia Spectrum | Philadelphia | $79 | $175 |
| Apollo Theater | New York City | $80 | $469 |
In general, the cheapest tickets are in the upper decks of stadiums and highest in premium seats in smaller indoor arenas. The Apollo Theater show was a special one-off performance with high demand.
Differences Between Solo & E Street Band Shows
As mentioned earlier, there is a pricing difference between Bruce Springsteen’s solo tours and shows he plays with the legendary E Street Band. For example, during his Springsteen on Broadway residency which consisted just himself without the band, average tickets prices reached $503. On the other hand, the Wrecking Ball Tour with the E Street Band just a few years earlier only had an average price of $120.
This price difference is due to a few factors:
– Scarcity – The Broadway show had very limited dates and theater capacity, driving up demand. Stadium shows with the large E Street Band have many more seats available.
– Production – The E Street Band tours require more crew, equipment, staging which increases overall costs and drives up ticket prices. Solo shows are more scaled down.
– Fan anticipation – Seeing Bruce reunite with beloved E Street Band members like Stevie Van Zandt and Clarence Clemons adds more excitement and demand compared to his solo shows.
So when considering Springsteen ticket prices, you can typically expect a 20-30% price jump for E Street Band shows in a given market compared to his solo tour appearances.
How To Get Cheapest Tickets
For fans on a budget hoping to see Bruce Springsteen live, here are some tips for finding the most affordable tickets:
– Be flexible on show dates – Weeknight shows often are cheaper than weekend dates. Avoiding opening and closing nights also helps.
– Buy upper deck or last row seats – The worst seats in a stadium tend to have the lowest face value prices and get cheaper on secondary markets.
– Check venue presales – Sign up for venue email alerts and join fan clubs like Springsteen’s “The Warehouse” for early access to purchase tickets directly before public onsales.
– Wait until last minute – Prices tend to drop leading up to shows as sellers have trouble moving tickets. Last minute can bring big savings.
– Avoid resellers at first – Secondary sites add big fees right after onsales. Buying directly from the venue or fan exchanges like CashorTrade cut out the middleman.
With a bit savvy timing and shopping around, even diehard Boss fans on a budget can find affordable tickets under $100 to see Springsteen in concert if your flexible. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Most Expensive Springsteen Tickets
At the other end of the pricing spectrum, here are some of the most expensive Springsteen tickets found in recent years:
| Tour | Venue | Seat Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springsteen on Broadway | Walter Kerr Theatre | Front Row | $9,000 |
| Western Stars 2019 | The Apollo | VIP Package | $1,754 |
| The River 2016 | United Center | Front Row | $1,500 |
| Wrecking Ball 2013 | Allphones Arena | VIP Package | $1,150 |
These extremely high prices are mostly limited to front row packages at very small venues or exclusive VIP experiences at larger shows. Average prices for even great seats at Bruce’s shows top out around the $400-$500 range in most stadiums and arenas on major tours.
Advice For Getting Springsteen Tickets
Here is some general advice for finding and purchasing Springsteen concert tickets:
– Join fan clubs and follow social media – This gets you pre-sale code access before the general public. Springsteen’s own “The Warehouse” fan club ensures you can buy tickets directly.
– Be ready right at onsale time – Have accounts created on major ticket sites and be ready the minute tickets go onsale to buy before they sellout. Set reminders so you don’t miss the onsale.
– Avoid reseller sites at first – Buy from primary ticket sites like Ticketmaster whenever possible to avoid inflated reseller markup.
– Don’t buy from scalpers – Fake tickets and scams abound outside venues. Only buy from authorized sources and check policies carefully.
– Consider VIP packages – For high demand shows like Broadway, VIP packages were one of the only ways to guarantee a ticket due to quick sellouts.
– Check seat views before buying – Some venues have partially obstructed views or locations far from the stage. Verify the view quality before purchasing.
With preparation and smart shopping, fans can secure tickets to see The Boss without breaking the bank. Follow these tips and you’ll be dancing in the dark with Bruce in no time!
How Springsteen Ticket Prices Compare With Other Artists
Compared to other legendary classic rock artists and bands, Springsteen ticket prices are on par or slightly above average:
| Artist | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Bruce Springsteen | $200 |
| The Rolling Stones | $240 |
| Paul McCartney | $230 |
| Elton John | $130 |
| Billy Joel | $120 |
Springsteen demands a premium over peers like Billy Joel thanks to his legendary live performances and loyal fan base. But McCartney and the Stones as contemporary legends with similarly vast catalogs command even higher average prices for their heavily in-demand shows in recent years. Still, the Boss remains one of the most popular and expensive classic rock tours around.
How Covid-19 Impacted Springsteen Ticket Prices
The global Covid-19 pandemic had a major impact on live event ticket prices and availability in 2020 and 2021. Bruce Springsteen was directly affected with his hotly anticipated Broadway residency returning for a brief summer 2021 run.
Some effects on Springsteen ticket prices due to Covid included:
– Limited availability – Reduced capacity at venues drove up demand. Broadway show was cut to just 1,721 seats per night at the St. James Theatre.
– Increased prices – Scarce availability let sellers charge large premiums. The average Broadway ticket in 2021 was $1,465.
– Postponed & cancelled dates – Tours were halted and dates pushed back over 1-2 years, disappointing fans eager to see Bruce.
– Health checks & entry rules – Requirements for vaccination proof or negative Covid tests also added hassles and costs for attending shows.
While Springsteen has continued to play smaller exclusive shows like his 2021 residency, full scale tours have yet to resume. Once they do, expect ticket prices to remain elevated due to pent up fan demand after extended touring hiatuses caused by the pandemic.
Conclusion
In summary, Bruce Springsteen remains one of the most popular concert draws in classic rock decades into his career. Ticket prices to see Springsteen live average around $200 but can reach above $1,000 for front row seats in high demand markets. Smaller solo acoustic shows are generally cheaper than E Street Band tours in large arenas and stadiums. Preparation, timing, and smart shopping methods can help fans find relatively affordable tickets under $100. VIP packages and prime seats carry big premiums but deliver once in a lifetime concert experiences for devoted Boss fans. Even after over 40 years of legendary live performances, Springsteen concert tickets remain a prized commodity.
