Bruce Springsteen, nicknamed “The Boss”, is one of the most popular and successful rock musicians of all time. He has released 20 studio albums, 11 live albums, 5 EPs, and over 65 singles over his 50+ year career. Springsteen is known for his energetic stage performances that can last over 3 hours, featuring his signature poetic lyrics about working-class life and redemption.
Despite being 72 years old, Springsteen continues to tour regularly and tickets to his concerts remain in very high demand. In recent years, it has not been uncommon to see floor tickets priced at $1000+ and even nosebleed seats going for several hundreds of dollars. This has led many fans to ask: why are Bruce Springsteen tickets so expensive?
Supply and Demand
The primary reason Springsteen tickets demand such high prices is basic economics – supply and demand. Springsteen is one of the few legendary classic rock musicians still actively touring, while the demand from his large and dedicated fanbase remains extremely strong. This imbalance between scarce supply and high demand allows sellers to charge premium prices.
Specific factors related to supply and demand that drive up Springsteen ticket prices include:
– Limited number of shows – Springsteen typically plays 2-3 night stands in major cities on his tours, amounting to only 30-40 shows globally per tour. He rarely schedules extensive world tours nowadays. This scarcity feeds demand.
– Smaller venues – The days of Springsteen selling out 80,000 seat stadiums are mostly behind him. He now favors playing more intimate 15,000-20,000 seat arenas, restricting supply further.
– Fan loyalty – Springsteen has extraordinarily dedicated fans who have been listening to him for decades. For many, seeing Springsteen live is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list item worth spending heavily on. This inelastic demand allows sellers to extract more consumer surplus.
– Speculative secondary market – A vibrant secondary market for Springsteen tickets allows resellers to buy up and flip tickets at a profit, bidding up prices. Sites like StubHub provide a convenient platform for this speculative resale activity.
Springsteen’s Legendary Reputation
Beyond basic supply and demand, prices for Springsteen tickets are elevated further by his undisputed reputation as one of the most legendary and iconic live performers in rock history. Some specific aspects of The Boss’s reputation that allow prices to be pushed higher include:
– His status as “The Boss” – Springsteen is widely considered one of the most important and influential rock musicians ever. His blue-collar anthems have made him a cultural icon. This exalted status means fans are willing to pay more.
– His energy on stage – Springsteen is famous for his passionate stage presence and high-energy 3+ hour shows. Fans are willing to pay premiums for this one-of-a-kind experience.
– His band – The E Street Band has acquired its own legend over the decades, making the prospect of seeing them together another draw.
– Setlist variety – Springsteen is known for changing up his setlists nightly, keeping things fresh for repeat attendees. This encourages speculative ticket purchases.
– Guest appearances – There is always a possibility of special guest appearances at Springsteen shows, adding to the excitement.
– FOMO – There is a lot of fear of missing out around what could be Springsteen’s last tours. Fans do not want to miss their last chance to see a living legend.
Loyal Fan Base with High Disposable Income
Another factor inflating Springsteen ticket prices is that his fan base tends to have relatively high disposable incomes. Key aspects include:
– Older demographic – Springsteen’s fans tend to be in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. At this stage of life, incomes tend to be at their highest while big expenses like mortgages and kids’ college may be in the past.
– Nostalgia factor – Fans have fond memories of growing up with Springsteen as the soundtrack. They are willing to relive their youth and invest in nostalgia.
– Corporate contingent – Wealthier baby boomers often get Springsteen tickets via corporate packages, reducing price sensitivity.
– Regional pockets – Springsteen remains extremely popular in the Northeast U.S. where incomes are generally higher. This is his core fan base.
– Repeat attendees – Many of Springsteen’s fans have seen him live dozens of times over the decades. For them, the incremental cost of another show is lower.
High Fees and Markups
Lastly, high markups along the supply chain for live event ticketing are also responsible for the steep price tag for Springsteen tickets. Key pain points include:
– Ticketing fees – Fees like services charges, facility fees, and order processing fees quickly add 20-30% to every ticket.
– Intermediaries – Artists like Springsteen usually contract with promoters like Live Nation who add another layer of fees and profit margin.
– Secondary market – StubHub, Ticketmaster Resale, Vivid Seats and other secondary platforms charge fees on ticket resales. Higher retail prices also benefit them.
– Dynamic pricing – Platforms now use algorithms to adjust prices in real time based on demand, spiking prices higher.
– Lack of price regulation – There are no regulations or caps in place limiting how much intermediaries can inflate ticket prices through fees.
Sample Fee Breakdown for $200 Springsteen Ticket
| Face value of ticket | $100 |
| Service fee | $20 |
| Facility fee | $15 |
| Order processing fee | $5 |
| Secondary market markup | $60 (60%) |
| Total for customer | $200 |
As illustrated in the breakdown above, various fees and secondary market markups can often double the base price of a ticket or more. For premium artists like Springsteen, promoters and resellers are comfortable pushing these markups to their limit.
When Will Springsteen Ticket Prices Drop?
Given the factors outlined above, there is little expectation that Springsteen ticket prices will drop significantly anytime soon barring an unexpected event like illness forcing him off the road. However, there are certain scenarios where prices could become more affordable:
– Additional tour dates added – More supply to meet demand will take pressure off prices.
– Change to larger venues – Booking bigger stadiums would achieve a similar supply boost.
– League stepping in – Theoretically the NFL or other entity could mandate lower prices to make shows accessible.
– Fan boycott – A large-scale boycott by fans could force prices down, though unlikely to organize.
– Legal changes – Regulations capping secondary markups or fees would lower prices.
– Springsteen changes approach – The Boss himself speaking out against gouging could have an impact.
Barring the above, passionate Bruce Springsteen fans should expect to keep paying premium prices as The Boss rides off into the sunset. Seeing one of the greatest musicians of all time remains a bucket list splurge for many. Savvy fans may be able to find occasional deals through fan club presales or other exclusive offers. Otherwise, demand will likely continue to dramatically outpace supply when it comes to Springsteen tickets.
Conclusion
In summary, Bruce Springsteen continues charging sky-high ticket prices on his tours because:
– Supply is extremely limited for an in-demand iconic artist
– His legendary status and reputation allow market prices to be pushed higher
– His core fans have high disposable incomes and lower price sensitivity
– Numerous fees and markups get added on throughout the supply chain
Short of the unlikely scenario where Springsteen actively speaks out against the pricing and demands lower face value tickets, fans should expect to keep paying a premium. Seeing The Boss remains a once-in-a-lifetime experience that many are willing to splurge on no matter what. Super fans may pay any price while more casual listeners will probably wait for the next world tour and hope market conditions lead to a price drop.
