Taylor Swift reigns supreme in 2023’s live entertainment scene: Outshining U2 and the Sphere
Taylor Swift dominated the calendar year and topped all the charts
Taylor Swift continued her reign with her Eras TourLAPRESSE
In a year marked by the resurgence of live entertainment, Taylor Swift emerged as the undisputed queen of ticket sales, leaving even the much-talked-about Sphere and iconic bands like U2 in her wake.
December’s report from the ticket exchange and resale giant, StubHub, heralded Las Vegas as the epicenter of 2023’s live entertainment surge. The report highlighted a significant increase in the city’s event ticket sales over the past year.
Despite performing only twice at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Taylor Swift’s limited appearances did nothing to dampen her monumental impact. Her ‘Eras Tour’ effortlessly clinched the top spot in StubHub’s list of top-selling events in Las Vegas for the year.
Swift’s remarkable sales overshadowed the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a landmark event for Formula 1, which made its debut in Sin City in November. The Grand Prix, attracting 315,000 spectators over four days, not only became Nevada’s second biggest event but also ranked third in global sporting event sales. Yet, Swift’s ticket sales prowess surpassed even this impressive gathering.
The Sphere came in 2nd in its debut year
The Sphere, despite its viral fame on social media, trailed behind Swift in terms of ticket sales. U2’s residency at the Sphere, ‘Achtung Baby,’ attracted fans from 91 countries and all 50 states, securing the third position in Las Vegas’s top events. Analysts speculate that had the Sphere opened its doors earlier than late September, it might have competed more closely with Swift and the Grand Prix.
Other notable events that made it to the top list included the ‘When We Were Young Festival’ at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds and the NFL game between the Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Interestingly, the Raiders’ game managed to outperform the Dallas Cowboys by a significant 17 percent in ticket sales.
Taylor Swift’s dominance in the 2023 live entertainment landscape was unmatched. Her ability to out-sell even the most viral venues like the Sphere and iconic events like the Las Vegas Grand Prix shows her unparalleled appeal. As StubHub’s report suggests, Swift isn’t just a pop star; she’s a phenomenon that continues to redefine the scope of live entertainment.
