If you felt like everyone around you was buying tickets to see Taylor Swift or Lionel Messi this year, you weren’t far off. In StubHub’s recently released “Year in Live Experiences” report for 2023, it was revealed that Swift’s tour and Messi’s matches were among the most popular events.
It’s no surprise that Swift’s “Eras Tour” became StubHub’s biggest tour in the website’s history. In fact, female artists, including Swift, Beyoncé, and Pink, dominated the top 10 global touring artists list, accounting for a staggering 73% of overall sales. Joining them on the list were legendary acts like Coldplay, U2, and Bruce Springsteen.
What’s even more impressive is that Swift, Beyoncé, and Pink “tripled the sales” of the entire top 10 highest-selling artists in 2022 on StubHub. Clearly, their popularity and influence know no bounds.
The “Eras Tour” generated an astonishing $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone, according to research firm QuestionPro. This incredible demand for entertainment and experiences not only thrilled fans but also provided a significant boost to the economy.
As for Messi, his transfer to MLS team Inter Miami in the summer sparked a frenzy in ticket sales. StubHub reported a 160% rise in sales for the league, thanks to the Argentinian soccer superstar. What’s more, international sales increased by a whopping 220%, highlighting Messi’s global appeal.
Inter Miami quickly became the “most in-demand team” in the MLS after his arrival, outselling the second-most popular team, Los Angeles FC, by a staggering 85%. Before “Messi mania” took over, Inter Miami was only the 13th most-demanded team for tickets.
StubHub noted that the top six games in the MLS season were Inter Miami’s away matches. Additionally, the match between Los Angeles FC and Miami became the most expensive MLS game ever, with average tickets selling for around $800. This was a significant increase compared to the typical LAFC ticket price of $145.
The impact of sports events on StubHub sales extended beyond soccer. Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs surpassed the previous year’s championship sales by an impressive 50%. Furthermore, the WNBA final between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces became StubHub’s highest-selling finals for the league in its history.
From sold-out concerts to thrilling sporting events, Taylor Swift and Lionel Messi have proven themselves to be true powerhouses of ticket sales. Their performances and talents have captured the hearts of millions, making 2023 a year to remember for both fans and the entertainment industry as a whole.
