StubHub announces Most Rockin' Cities

StubHub, the world's largest ticket marketplace, today announced its fourth annual 20 Most Rockin' Cities for the 2009 summer concert season. A record number of concert fans have used StubHub to catch their favorite acts this summer ranging from seasoned legends to teen pop stars. With so many tickets changing hands, StubHub has compiled its yearly list of the markets that have been the most active this summer grabbing tickets to their favorite shows. Rankings were based on total market sales via StubHub for concert events only, occurring between May 15th and September 15th. For greater perspective, the three most popular shows for each city in Top 20 have been included as well.

For the fourth year in a row, New York maintained the distinction as the Most Rockin’ City according to StubHub. With the help of legend Paul McCartney playing multiple stadium shows at the new Citi Field and Bruce Springsteen’s final shows of his spring tour the Big Apple once again reigned supreme. Boston held on to its runner up status by virtue of hosting major shows with McCartney at Fenway Park and Kenny Chesney at Gillette Stadium. Chicago jumped to third place on this year’s list with some leverage from the upcoming start of U2’s U.S. tour at Soldier Field on September 12.

Washington D.C. took the biggest leap on this year’s chart, landing in the top 10 at #6, up from #18 in 2008. The live concert ticket market in the area was bolstered by performances by Bruce Springsteen in late May, Billy Joel/Elton John at Nationals Park and Paul McCartney at FedEx Field in the last month. In addition, sales from the Nissan Pavilion in nearby Bristow, Va. were more appropriately attributed to the Washington D.C. metro area after formerly being included with Richmond, Va. returns.

Newcomers to this year’s chart include Milwaukee, Toronto (Canada), Baltimore and Pittsburgh. With the exception of Toronto, each newcomer to the top 20 hosted the popular jam band Phish for at least one night, one of the biggest sellers of the summer nationwide.
Denver was the only city in the top 20 to see all three top shows dominated by the same artist as Phish sold out multiple nights at the majestic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The full list of America’s 20 Most Rockin’ Cities is as follows:

2009 City Rank (2008 Rank) Top Selling Shows
1. New York (1) Paul McCartney (7/17, 7/18); Bruce Springsteen (5/23)
2. Boston (2) Kenny Chesney (8/15); Paul McCartney (8/6);
Dave Matthews (5/30)
3. Chicago (5) U2 (9/12); Elton John/Billy Joel (7/16, 7/21)
4. Los Angeles (3) Taylor Swift (5/22); Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood (6/30);
Coldplay (7/18)
5. Philadelphia (4) Elton John/Billy Joel (7/30, 8/1); Kenny Chesney (6/27)
6. Washington DC (18) Bruce Springsteen (5/18); Elton John/Billy Joel (7/11);
Paul McCartney (8/1)
7. Dallas (10) George Straight (6/6); Paul McCartney (8/19);
Jonas Brothers (6/20)
8. SF Bay Area (6) Kenny Chesney (7/18); Phish (8/5); Coldplay (7/13)
9. Detroit (8) Kenny Chesney (8/22); Lynyrd Skynyrd/Kid Rock (7/17);
Keith Urban (6/6)
10. Denver (16) Phish (7/30, 7/31, 8/1)
11. Milwaukee (NR) Phish (6/20, 6/21); Jimmy Buffet (8/29)
12. Hartford (7) Phish (8/14); Taylor Swift (8/28);
Dave Matthews Band (6/6)
13. Seattle (15) Coldplay (7/11); Taylor Swift (5/15);
Kenny Chesney (8/1)
14. Atlanta (11) Keith Urban (6/13); Jonas Brothers (8/22);
Taylor Swift (9/3)
15. Toronto (NR) Coldplay (7/30); Pearl Jam (8/21); Tool (8/8)
16. Baltimore (NR) Phish (8/15); Taylor Swift (6/11); Kenny Chesney (5/22)
17. Houston (17) George Straight (8/8); Coldplay (7/22);
Jonas Brothers (8/14)
18. Las Vegas (12) Taylor Swift (5/23); Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood (6/27);
Jimmy Buffett (5/26)
19. Pittsburgh (NR) Kenny Chesney (6/6); Phish (6/18);
Jonas Brothers (7/25)
20. Indianapolis (13) Phish (6/19); Dave Matthews Band (8/1);
Jimmy Buffett (8/11)

*Data based on sales through StubHub as of 8/13/09


More Summer Concert Facts (as of 8/13/09):

Top Five Summer Concert Tours Ranked by Sales Dollar Volume:
Artist Average Selling Ticket Price
1. Jonas Brothers $123
2. Phish $118
3. Taylor Swift $123
4. Elton John $157
5. Kenny Chesney $157

Top Five Summer Concerts Based on Number of Tickets Sold:
Artist Average Selling Ticket Price
1. Phish $118
2. Jonas Brothers $123
3. Taylor Swift $123
4. Jimmy Buffet $ 99
5. Dave Matthews Band $140


www.stubhub.com