Today, Explained A concert? In this economy?
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Feb 20, 2026 
Robert Levine, Billboard columnist who analyzes touring strategies and residencies. Taylor Mims, Billboard senior editor covering ticket pricing and resale markets. They unpack why tickets now hit $1,000+, how resellers and pricing strategies fuel scarcity, artists’ moves to capture resale revenue, and why residencies are reshaping tours into big, destination events.
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Premium Ticket Prices Are Now Normal
- Big tours commonly list tickets in the $1,000+ range for premium seats after the pandemic.
- Taylor Mims says demand stayed high post-COVID which normalized much higher pricing.
Resellers Drive A Secondary Marketplace
- Resellers have turned ticket buying into a profitable marketplace by buying low and reselling high.
- Taylor Mims explains that scalpers' practices amplify scarcity and push initial prices up.
Higher Costs Force Higher Face Prices
- Artists, agents, and promoters set initial ticket prices to cover higher touring costs post-pandemic.
- Robert Levine notes rising crew, travel, and production expenses force higher face values.