Determining the average price of a concert ticket is not a straightforward task, as prices can vary greatly depending on the artist, venue, city, and other factors. However, looking at data on ticket prices for major concert tours and events can give a general sense of the range that concert tickets typically cost.
Average Ticket Prices for Major Tours and Festivals
For very popular artists and bands playing big stadium shows and arena concerts, average ticket prices in recent years have tended to range between $100-$500 depending on seat location. Some examples:
- Beyoncé and Jay Z’s 2018 “On the Run II” tour had an average price of $268 per ticket according to Pollstar.
- In 2019, average prices on Pink’s “Beautiful Trauma” tour were around $146.
- The Rolling Stones had an average ticket price of $226 during their 2019 “No Filter” tour.
- Average prices for Justin Timberlake’s 2018 “Man of the Woods” tour were $202.
- Kenny Chesney’s 2018 “Trip Around the Sun” tour averaged $94 per ticket.
For major multi-day music festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits Festival, average weekend pass prices in recent years have been in the $300-$500 range:
- The average price for a 3-day general admission pass to Lollapalooza in Chicago was around $340 in 2019.
- At the 2019 Austin City Limits Festival, 3-day tickets averaged $255.
- Bonnaroo’s 4-day general admission tickets averaged $320 for the 2019 festival.
- Passes for the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival averaged around $429 for the weekend.
Average Ticket Prices for Other Concerts
For smaller concerts, shows in more intimate venues, or less mainstream artists, average ticket prices are generally much lower. Some examples:
- The average concert ticket price on Ticketmaster in Q1 2019 was $94.
- Tickets for shows at small music clubs like The Troubadour in Los Angeles often range from $15-$40 on average.
- Concert tickets on Groupon in 2020 had an average price of $42 per ticket.
- Average ticket prices for jazz concerts tend to be on the more affordable side, frequently in the $50-$70 range in many cities.
- Classical music performances like symphony concerts often have average ticket prices of $29-$99 depending on the city and venue.
Factors Influencing Concert Ticket Prices
As the above examples illustrate, average ticket prices for concerts can really run the gamut. Some of the key factors that influence pricing are:
- The artist’s popularity and level of fame – Big global superstars like Taylor Swift or Adele can charge hundreds of dollars per ticket, while lesser-known emerging acts will have much lower prices.
- Production size – Full arena and stadium tours require huge staging, lighting, video, pyrotechnics, etc. which drives up costs and ticket prices.
- Venue size and location – Concerts in larger, more prestigious venues typically come with higher ticket prices. Shows in big cities like Los Angeles and New York also tend to be pricier.
- Supply and demand – Prices usually go up for hot tours or acts with a rabid fanbase eager to buy tickets.
- Costs and expenses – The artist’s management team and promoters factor in all production, marketing and overhead costs when pricing tickets.
- Face value vs. resale – Resale ticket prices on secondary markets are often higher than the originally listed price.
- Ticket tier and seating location – Front row, VIP packages, and floor seats come at a premium compared to nosebleed seats.
Average Ticket Prices Over Time
Looking at how average concert ticket prices have changed over the past couple of decades also provides useful perspective:
| Year | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| 1996 | $25.81 |
| 2006 | $51.63 |
| 2011 | $68.38 |
| 2016 | $92.56 |
| 2019 | $94.83 |
| 2021 | $128.23 |
As illustrated in the table above, average concert ticket prices have risen fairly steadily over the past 25+ years after adjusting for inflation. While the exact numbers vary from year to year, the trend shows a clear increase in prices. This is largely a result of higher costs for live entertainment production as well as growing demand in a competitive industry.
Cost-Saving Tips for Concert Tickets
For budget-conscious music fans looking to save some money on concert tickets, here are a few helpful tips:
- Purchase tickets well in advance during presales to get early bird pricing
- Join fan clubs and artist mailing lists for special offers and pre-sale code access
- Buy upper level or obstructed view seats which are usually discounted
- Look for deals on weekday shows which are often cheaper than weekend dates
- Search for ticket coupon codes and cashback offers
- Use a ticket reseller like StubHub for last minute deals on unsold seats
- Purchase tickets as part of bundled travel packages
- Buy tickets for festivals that allow you to see multiple artists for one price
Conclusion
In summary, average concert ticket prices can vary greatly, with tickets for major headliners generally ranging from $100-$500 and other more routine shows in the $40-$100 range on average. Geography, venue, demand, and production values all impact pricing. While the exact dollar amounts rise and fall each year, overall there has been a steady increase in average ticket prices over the past couple of decades due to higher costs and audience demand. However, fans can still find affordable concert experiences in many markets by selecting certain artists, shows, or ticket price tiers.