- Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour is one of the hottest events of the year, but securing tickets isn’t just about price—it requires a strategy. Fans are scrambling to get seats, with some traveling to different cities for better deals.
- Resale prices, ticket scams and buying trends all play a role in how and when fans should purchase tickets.
- Verified platforms like StubHub offer protection against fraudulent listings, while the FBI reported over $12.5 billion in potential losses from ticket scams in 2023.
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Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour is one of the hottest events of the year. But securing tickets isn’t just about price—it requires a strategy.
Fans across the country are scrambling to get seats, with some traveling to different cities for better deals. Resale prices, ticket scams and buying trends all determine how and when fans should purchase.
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When Beyoncé announced her “Cowboy Carter” tour in early February, fans immediately started budgeting for the show. Ticket prices vary by city, with some attendees finding deals while others feel they overpaid.
StubHub, a verified reseller for the tour, reports that the average resale price so far is $306. That’s actually lower than Beyoncé’s 2023 “Renaissance” tour, which saw average ticket prices reaching $322.
“When a tour is announced, you have those public on-sales,” said StubHub representative Adam Budelli. “We usually tend to say, let some of that excitement go away from the market. The best time to buy is actually not in the first 72 hours or even the first week after tickets go on sale—but sometimes, waiting can pay off.”
Fans are traveling for concerts
StubHub has seen an increase in fans traveling across cities—even internationally—to attend major concerts. This trend has become more common post-pandemic.
“We’re seeing more Gen Z fans willing to travel for a show—to experience a new city beyond just attending the concert,” Budelli said.
A study from Bonus.com partners analyzed the six U.S. cities on Beyoncé’s tour. Researchers factored in hotel prices, transportation and dining costs to determine which cities are the most affordable.
Houston ranks as the cheapest U.S. city to see Beyoncé, with an estimated evening cost of $277. Atlanta follows at $334. On the higher end, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., are among the most expensive stops on the tour.
“Many fans will already be planning where they’ll stay and how they’ll spend their time in each city,” a Bonus.com spokesperson said. “This study breaks down the costs to expect, allowing fans to start saving for the big day.”
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Watch out for ticket scams
Ticket scams remain a growing issue for major concerts. According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, cyber fraud caused more than $12.5 billion in potential losses that year.
“Never buy tickets off social media or pay with cash,” Budelli said. “Use a credit card and a trusted platform with buyer protection.”
For those purchasing resale tickets, verified platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats offer protection against fraudulent listings.
Budelli reassures buyers that StubHub does not incentivize scam listings, since sellers are not paid until after the event occurs.
Whether you’re trying to see Beyoncé or your next favorite artist, knowing when to buy, where to look, and how to avoid scams can help you secure a ticket—without breaking the bank.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
“IF YOU CANNOT CITE COWBOY CARTER FRONT TO BACK IN FIVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND TONGUES… I DON’T WANNA SEE YOU AT THAT CONCERT.”
LET’S BE REAL – LANDING TICKETS TO A HIGH DEMAND CONCERT ISN’T JUST ABOUT THE PRICE. IN 20-25… SECURING CONCERT SEATS IS PRACTICALLY A COMPETITIVE SPORT. FROM AVOIDING SCAMS TO KNOWING WHEN TO BUY… I SPOKE WITH A SPOKESPERSON FROM STUBHUB TO BREAK DOWN THE TRENDS AND TIPS YOU NEED TO GET INTO YOUR NEXT BIG SHOW.
WHEN BEYONCE ANNOUNCED HER COWBOY CARTER TOUR AT THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY… FANS WASTED NO TIME FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN – ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY SEVEN TOTAL CITIES IN THE TOUR LINEUP. AND WHILE SOME FANS LUCKED OUT WITH AFFORDABLE TICKETS.. OTHERS AREN’T EXACTLY THRILLED ABOUT WHAT THEY HAD TO PAY.
STUBHUB – A VERIFIED SELLER FOR THE COWBOY CARTER TOUR WHERE SELLERS SET THEIR OWN PRICES – REPORTS THAT THE AVERAGE RESALE PRICE SO FAR IS 306 DOLLARS. THAT’S ACTUALLY *LOWER THAN BEYONCE’S 20-23 RENAISSANCE TOUR WHERE THE AVERAGE RESALE PRICE WAS 322 DOLLARS.
“When a tour is announced, you have those public on sales, we usually tend to say, Hey, let some of that excitement go away from the market. The best time to buy is. Actually, not necessarily in those first 72 or the first hours or a week after the event goes on sale, but sometimes Wait.” Adam Budelli said.
ADAM BUDELLI IS A SPOKESPERSON FOR STUBHUB. HE TELLS ME THAT POST COVID.. THEY SAW A SURGE IN CROSS BORDER TRAVEL FOR CONCERTS AND SPORTING EVENTS.
“we’re seeing a little bit more of you know the the Gen Z right now, be willing to go travel to see that act in a different city and experience what that city offers outside of just going to the show in Your Backyard” Budelli said.
A STUDY FROM PARTNERS OF CASINO EXPERTS BONUS DOT COM LOOKS AT THE SIX U-S CITIES ON BEYONCE’S TOUR… FACTORING IN HOTEL COSTS… LOCAL TRANSPORTATION.. DINING… AND ALCOHOL.
HOUSTON IS THE CHEAPEST U-S CITY TO SEE BEYONCE.. WITH AN ESTIMATED EVENING COST OF 277 DOLLARS *EXCLUDING YOUR CONCERT TICKET. ATLANTA FOLLOWS AT 334 DOLLARS. MEANWHILE – LOS ANGELES AND D-C TOP THE LIST AS THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES FOR THE TOUR.
“Many fans will already be planning where they’ll be staying and how they’ll be spending their time in each city. This study breaks down the prices to expect in each US city, allowing fans to start saving for the big day.” A Spokesperson said.
BUT WHILE EXCITEMENT FOR COWBOY CARTER BUILDS… SCAMS REMAIN A MAJOR RISK. ACCORDING TO THE F-B-I’S 20-23 INTERNET CRIME REPORT… POTENTIAL LOSSES FROM CYBER FRAUD EXCEEDED 12 POINT 5 BILLION DOLLARS THAT YEAR – WITH TICKET SCAMS BEING A COMMON ISSUE FOR MAJOR EVENTS.
“You want to make sure you’re a savvy buyer,” Budelli said. “You never want to buy tickets off social media or pay with cash. We always say, use a credit card and use a service like StubHub that has that fan protect guarantee to ensure that you’re fully backed on all your purchases. And certainly be patient at times.”
“And I know that at the live events, we love going with friends and family. But sometimes, if you are looking for the best deal, going to a show or sporting event with this, just for a single ticket, your money can actually go a lot further.” Budelli added.
AND – DON’T BE AFRAID OF RESALE WEBSITES LIKE GEEKSEAT OR VIVID SEATS. FOR STUBHUB IN PARTICULAR – THEY HAVE A TRUST AND SAFETY TEAM THAT CONSTANTLY MONITORS THE SITE. BUDELLI REASSURES THAT STUBHUB DOES NOT INCENTIVIZE SCAMS OR ANY SPECULATIVE LISTINGS… SINCE SELLERS DON’T EVEN GET PAID UNTIL THE DAY OF THE EVENT.
AND WHILE BEYONCE’S UPCOMING TOUR IS THE LATEST TO SPARK CONVERSATION.. THESE SAME TRENDS APPLY TO JUST ABOUT ANY MAJOR CONCERT IN 2025. SO WHICHEVER SHOW *YOU’RE GEARING UP FOR.. KNOWING WHEN TO BUY.. WHERE TO LOOK.. AND HOW TO AVOID SCAMS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN SCORING THE BEST SEAT – WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK.
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