LONDON: As American pop sensation Taylor Swift embarks on her highly anticipated billion-dollar Eras tour across Europe this summer, some ticket resellers are capitalizing on soaring demand by offering tickets at significantly inflated prices.
Swift’s tour, featuring over 40 performances in 18 cities, has triggered a rush among fans, known as “swifties,” to secure tickets. The frenzy has led to venues selling out within minutes of ticket releases, leaving many disappointed and turning to secondary markets where prices often exceed face value.
The resale market, despite regulatory efforts in many countries to curb price gouging, has seen tickets fetching multiple times their original cost. Platforms like Viagogo and Gigsberg list tickets for Swift’s European concerts at prices that reflect the high demand and limited availability.
Here’s a breakdown of upcoming concerts and the contrasting prices:
IRELAND
Venue: Aviva Stadium Dublin
Capacity: 51,700
Face Value: from 86 euros ($91.87)
Resale Price: from 727 euros ($776.58) via Gigsberg
NETHERLANDS
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena Amsterdam
Capacity: 71,000
Face Value: from 54.88 euros ($58.62)
Resale Price: from 173 euros ($184.80) via Viagogo
SWITZERLAND
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund Zürich
Capacity: 50,000
Face Value: from 168 Swiss francs ($187.08)
Resale Price: from 609 euros ($650.53) via Viagogo
ITALY
Venue: San Siro Stadium Milan
Capacity: 75,817
Face Value: from 63.25 euros ($67.56)
Resale Price: from 711 euros ($759.49) via Viagogo
GERMANY
Venues:
Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen
Volksparkstadion Hamburg
Olympiastadion Munich
Capacities: 70,000 to 77,337
Face Value: from 77 euros to 114 euros ($82.25 to $121.77)
Resale Prices: ranging from 409 euros to 594 euros ($436.89 to $634.51) via Viagogo
POLAND
Venue: Kazimierz Górski National Stadium Warsaw
Capacity: 80,000
Face Value: from 199 zlotys ($49.39)
Resale Price: from 350 euros ($373.87) via Gigsberg
AUSTRIA
Venue: Ernst Happel Stadium Vienna
Capacity: 54,000
Face Value: from 69.40 euros ($74.13)
Resale Price: from 474 euros ($506.33) via Viagogo
UNITED KINGDOM
Venue: Wembley Stadium London
Capacity: 90,000
Face Value: from 59 pounds ($74.68)
Resale Price: from 507 euros ($541.58) via Viagogo
The hospitality industry in Europe has also experienced price hikes as North American fans flock to the continent where tickets can be substantially cheaper due to stricter consumer protection laws.
