Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and her concert tickets are always in high demand. When she performs at large stadiums like MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, tickets can be very expensive due to Swift’s massive popularity.
Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour
In 2018, Taylor Swift embarked on her Reputation Stadium Tour in support of her 2017 album Reputation. The tour visited numerous stadiums across North America, including MetLife Stadium. Swift performed two shows at MetLife on July 20 and July 21, 2018 during the tour.
As expected, tickets were not cheap. Here’s a look at the face value ticket prices for Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour stops at MetLife Stadium:
| Section | Row | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Level Side | Rows 1-12 | $499 |
| Lower Level End | Rows 1-12 | $399 |
| Lower Level Corner | Rows 1-12 | $249 |
| 100 Level Side | Rows 1-29 | $279 |
| 100 Level End | Rows 1-29 | $179 |
| 100 Level Corner | Rows 1-29 | $149 |
| 200 Level Side | Rows 1-34 | $179 |
| 200 Level End | Rows 1-34 | $139 |
| 200 Level Corner | Rows 1-34 | $109 |
As you can see, the ticket prices varied based on seat location, with lower level seats closest to the stage being the most expensive. But even the cheapest MetLife tickets were over $100. So seeing Taylor Swift live in a stadium did not come cheap.
Why Were Tickets So Expensive?
There are a few key reasons why Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour tickets commanded such high prices:
- Swift’s Popularity – She is one of the most popular artists in the world today, with millions of passionate fans who were eager to see her live.
- Limited Tour Dates – The Reputation Tour only visited a handful of cities, increasing demand.
- Massive Production – The Reputation Tour stage setup was elaborate, with multiple stages and pyrotechnics, leading to high overhead costs.
- Stadium Venues – Stadiums hold tens of thousands of fans, allowing Swift to sell many more high-priced tickets.
- Dynamic Pricing – Ticket prices fluctuated based on demand, driving prices up for the huge demand to see Swift.
All of these factors contributed to a scenario where Taylor Swift could charge several hundred dollars per ticket, and her true fans would still pay the high prices. The entire Reputation Tour went on to gross over $345 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of all time.
Other Ways to Get Tickets
The face value ticket prices listed above were just the starting prices set by Ticketmaster when tickets first went on sale. But there were other ways Swift fans could get tickets, some cheaper, some far more expensive:
- Resellers – Ticketing sites like StubHub offered resale tickets at variable market-based pricing, sometimes below or above face value.
- VIP Packages – Bundling tickets with exclusive merchandise, meet & greets with Swift, and other extras allowed Ticketmaster to charge thousands of dollars for premium VIP access.
- Platinum Tickets – Ticketmaster’s “Official Platinum” tickets were dynamically priced much higher than face value based on demand.
- Concert Packages – Packages like VIP Nation bundled hotels, parties, transportation, and other perks with tickets at huge premiums.
By utilizing these methods, there were tickets available at prices high enough to discourage all but the wealthiest Swift fans. Dynamic pricing and demand allowed sellers to charge essentially whatever the market could bear for Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour.
Comparing Prices to Other Swift Tours
How did the ticket prices for Taylor Swift’s shows at MetLife Stadium compare to other tours throughout her career? Here’s a look:
| Tour | Year | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fearless Tour | 2009-2010 | $43 |
| Speak Now Tour | 2011-2012 | $57 |
| Red Tour | 2013-2014 | $90 |
| 1989 Tour | 2015 | $152 |
| Reputation Tour | 2018 | $226 |
Looking at the average sold prices for her tours over the years, there is a clear upwards trajectory as Swift’s popularity grew exponentially into superstardom. While early tour tickets may have been around $50 on average, her latest Reputation Stadium Tour saw average prices over 4x higher. Touring on the magnitude of stadiums versus arenas/amphitheaters also necessitated higher ticket prices to cover astronomical overhead costs.
How Did Prices Compare to Other MetLife Stadium Concerts?
MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets, regularly hosts massive concerts by top-tier artists. Here is a comparison of other MetLife concerts around the same time as Taylor Swift and their average ticket prices:
| Artist | Tour | Year | Average Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Swift | Reputation Tour | 2018 | $226 |
| Beyoncé & Jay Z | On The Run II Tour | 2018 | $115 |
| Kenny Chesney | Trip Around the Sun Tour | 2018 | $182 |
| Ed Sheeran | Divide Tour | 2018 | $120 |
While other artists charged well below Swift’s lofty average, she still managed to outpace most other stadium concert acts in ticket prices. Her popularity with suburban teenage girls, savvy touring practices, and high production costs enabled the unprecedented ticket prices for a Taylor Swift stadium show.
How Quickly Did MetLife Dates Sell Out?
When do Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour stops at MetLife go on sale, and how quickly did they sell out? Here is a recap:
- Tickets On Sale – December 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM Eastern
- Pre-Sale Dates – Multiple pre-sales for fan club members, Citi cardholders, Spotify, etc. began as early as November 28, 2017
- Sell Out Time – Both shows sold out in under 30 minutes total
Even with high prices, demand for Taylor Swift MetLife tickets was through the roof. Most lower level and floor seats were likely snatched up during pre-sales, leaving the rest to battle it out during the December public on-sale. Selling out two stadium shows in under 30 minutes proves Swift’s huge drawing power.
Could You Get Cheaper Last Minute Tickets?
In many instances of concerts not selling out, fans can get cheap last minute tickets on the secondary market as ticket holders try to dump extras. However, Taylor Swift’s reputation for sell outs made this much less likely.
While some last minute deals were possible, most tickets on secondary sites leading up to her MetLife shows were firmly above face value. Swift’s consistent track record of sold out arena and stadium shows gave the secondary market little reason to drop prices when demand was unlikely to falter.
Most Expensive Tickets Sold
While the prices directly from Ticketmaster maxed out around $500 before fees, the secondary market saw astronomical amounts paid for prime Taylor Swift tickets. Here are some of the most expensive verified sales for Swift’s shows at MetLife:
- Floor Seat – $2,500
- Lower Level Row 1 – $2,000
- VIP Sound Check Package (inc. early entry) – $1,750
- 100 Level Front Row – $1,400
- Lower Level Row 5 – $1,200
Keep in mind those prices do not include broker fees, which could tack on an extra 10-15%. As expected, floor seats and lower level seats closest to the main stage commanded the highest resale values. The $2,500 floor seat may seem outrageous, but for a once in a lifetime chance to see Taylor Swift up close, some super fans found the price justifiable.
Cheapest Tickets Sold
Not every ticket sold for Swift’s Reputation Tour stops at MetLife went for sky high prices. Here are some of the cheapest verified sales found:
- Upper Level Corner – $60
- 300 Level Behind Stage – $80
- Upper Level End Zone – $95
- 300 Level Side – $125
- 200 Level Corner – $175
Considering the face value price for even 300 Level tickets started at $49, finding anything below face value was a rare feat. But those persistent fans could indeed score relative deals compared to the insane prices paid for floor seats. Still, landing cheap Taylor Swift tickets was extremely unlikely.
Biggest Factor Driving Prices
What was the single biggest factor that drove up prices for Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour stop at MetLife Stadium?
Without question, it was Swift’s sheer popularity and demand amongst her loyal fans. Even when prices reached astronomical levels, there were still thousands of fans willing and able to pay the premiums to see Taylor Swift in person. Even the cheapest seats still sold out instantly.
Swift’s name value alone could drive up prices in a way few other artists can match. Fans don’t just view her concert as just another show – seeing Taylor Swift live is seen as a pivotal life event. That hysteria allows prices to balloon to unprecedented levels.
Advice for Getting Cheaper Tickets
What advice would I offer for getting cheaper Taylor Swift tickets at MetLife Stadium in the future?
- Jump on Pre-Sales – Buy early before the most desirable tickets get snatched up.
- Buy Upper Level Side or Corner – You’ll have an elevated full view for a fraction of the floor price.
- Wait Until End of Tour – Prices tend to dip a bit at the very end.
- See Multiple Shows – Seeing 2-3 shows instead of just 1 can unlock ticket deals.
- Find Fan Ticket Exchanges – Fans sometimes sell just above face value to other fans.
Ultimately though, Taylor Swift’s ticket prices match her popularity. There is no magical way around the high demand. But being smart about buying early, buying upper levels, buying later in tours, and looking out for fan exchanges can yield some marginal savings at least.
Conclusion
Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour stop at MetLife Stadium came with lofty ticket prices reflective of her status as one of the most popular artists in the world today. Face value tickets started around $100 and went up to $500+. On the secondary market, floor seats went for as much as $2,500 each.
Multiple factors like Swift’s high demand, exclusive tour dates, and elaborate production drove up costs. Even other huge artists touring stadiums like Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran charged far less on average. Taylor Swift at MetLife Stadium represented a perfect storm of popularity and scarcity value that enabled unprecedented ticket prices.
While upper level and behind stage tickets could occasionally be found below face value, great lower level seats routinely exceeded thousands of dollars. Seeing Taylor Swift up close was a bucket list event for fans, and the ticket prices reflected the once in a lifetime experience.
Ultimately, Taylor Swift’s ticket prices matched what the market would bear. For future tours, prices will likely continue to rise or plateau at worst, as long as Swift’s popularity remains sky high. Swifties have shown their devotion knows little bounds, even when it comes razor-thin pocketbooks.
