Drake is one of the biggest music stars in the world, with millions of fans eagerly awaiting his tours and concerts. When Drake goes on tour, tickets are always in incredibly high demand. Fans want to know – how much did Drake tickets originally cost when he first started touring?
Drake’s Early Years
Drake first rose to fame in the late 2000s as a rapper and singer. His debut album ‘Thank Me Later’ was released in 2010. While Drake was already a huge star in Canada, this album took him to the next level of international stardom. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.
Drake’s first headlining tour was called the ‘Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour’, in support of ‘Thank Me Later’. It kicked off in 2010. At this point in his career, Drake was transitioning from small clubs and theaters to larger arenas. The venues on the tour had capacities ranging from 1,500 to 12,000. Some key venues included:
- House of Blues (various locations) – capacity approx. 2,000
- Radio City Music Hall – capacity 6,000
- Air Canada Centre – capacity 19,000
So how much did Drake tickets cost for these early tours in 2010 and 2011? Let’s take a look:
House of Blues Shows
At Drake’s House of Blues shows, tickets were priced from $39.50 to $69.50 plus fees. The average ticket price was around $50 before fees. With fees added, the total cost was approximately $60 – $75.
Radio City Music Hall Shows
At Drake’s 2011 shows at Radio City Music Hall, the ticket prices were a bit higher than the House of Blues. Tickets ranged from $49.50 to $79.50 plus fees. The average ticket was around $65 before fees, or $80 total with fees included.
Air Canada Centre Shows
When Drake performed at the Air Canada Centre in 2011, which holds nearly 20,000 fans, tickets were more expensive. Prices ranged from $69.50 to $109.50 before fees. With fees, the total average ticket price was around $90 – $125.
Drake’s Tickets Over the Years
Since those early tours, Drake has released several more hit albums and his popularity has only skyrocketed. As he moved into playing larger and larger venues, tickets naturally became more expensive. Let’s look at how prices have changed over the years.
Club Paradise Tour – 2012
In 2012, Drake embarked on the ‘Club Paradise Tour’. He was now playing arenas with typical capacities of 15,000-20,000 fans. Tickets for these shows ranged from $59.50 – $109.50 before fees.
Would You Like A Tour? – 2013-2014
As Drake’s fame grew, so did ticket prices. For the ‘Would You Like A Tour?’ in 2013 and 2014, prices were $79 – $139 before fees for arena shows.
Summer Sixteen Tour – 2016
By 2016, Drake was one of the most popular rappers on the planet. For his ‘Summer Sixteen Tour’ with Future, tickets to arena shows now ranged from $99.50 – $175 before fees.
Boy Meets World Tour – 2017
Drake’s fame reached new heights with the smash hit ‘One Dance’ in 2016. The ‘Boy Meets World Tour’ in 2017 saw prices starting at $150 before fees for arena dates.
Assassination Vacation Tour – 2019
In 2019, mid-range tickets to Drake’s arena concerts cost fans anywhere from $200 – $600+ each before fees.
Summary of Drake Ticket Prices Over the Years
Tour | Year | Average Ticket Price (before fees) |
---|---|---|
Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour | 2010-2011 | $50 |
Club Paradise Tour | 2012 | $80 |
Would You Like A Tour? | 2013-2014 | $100 |
Summer Sixteen Tour | 2016 | $125 |
Boy Meets World Tour | 2017 | $175 |
Assassination Vacation Tour | 2019 | $400 |
As you can see, Drake ticket prices have risen dramatically over the years as his stardom has increased. While early tickets used to cost $50 or less before fees, nowadays you can expect to pay at least $200 per ticket if you want to see a Drake concert.
Why Do Drake Tickets Cost So Much?
There are a few key reasons why Drake tickets come with such a hefty price tag these days:
- Huge popularity – Drake has a gigantic global fanbase who are willing to pay top dollar to see him live.
- Limited supply – Drake typically plays just 1 or 2 nights in each city, while demand is extremely high. Scarcity drives up prices.
- Expensive production – Drake’s concerts feature elaborate lighting, pyrotechnics and staging, all of which costs a lot of money to take on the road.
- Secondary market – Ticket resellers buy up a lot of the tickets and relist them at higher prices, often several times their face value.
Simply put, Drake could charge pretty much whatever he wants for tickets these days and still sell out every show. Fans are more than willing to pay hundreds of dollars to catch a glimpse of the hip hop superstar in person.
Is Seeing Drake Live Worth the High Ticket Prices?
For many hardcore Drake fans, the answer is a resounding yes. Here are some of the things fans can expect from catching a Drake concert in person:
- Hearing Drake perform hits like “God’s Plan,” “Hotline Bling” and “One Dance” live
- High energy show with impressive visuals and light displays
- Drake bringing out surprise guest performers like Lil Wayne or Nicki Minaj
- Drake interacting with the crowd and showing off his personality
- A packed arena of excited Drake fans singing along
- Memorable night seeing one of music’s biggest global superstars
Seeing footage on YouTube or listening on Spotify is one thing, but catching Drake live in person is a one-of-a-kind experience. The electricity and energy at his concerts simply can’t be matched. For his biggest fans, the chance to see Drake perform up close in the flesh is well worth splurging on expensive tickets.
However, it’s a big purchase that requires careful budgeting for a lot of fans. If you’re looking to get Drake tickets on a tighter budget, you may need to look at secondary markets, be flexible on show dates, or consider saving up to get seats you really want.
Advice on Getting Drake Tickets
If you’re hoping to buy Drake tickets for an upcoming tour, here are some tips to get seats without breaking the bank:
- Sign up for Drake’s fan club and get access to presales
- Buy tickets as early as you can when they first go on sale
- Be ready online the moment tickets drop – have accounts set up in advance
- Aim for weeknights or new tour dates that are added later
- Check resale sites leading up to the concert for last minute deals
- Consider less desirable seats like the upper levels or corners to save money
- Team up with other fans and buy in bulk – you may get deals
Drake puts on an incredible live show, so if you have the means don’t hesitate to invest in tickets. Use smart strategies, and with a little effort and luck you may be able to catch Drake live without breaking the bank!
Conclusion
Drake ticket prices have soared over the past decade as he has become one of the most popular musicians in the world. While early tickets used to cost around $50, these days you can expect to pay hundreds of dollars for the privilege of seeing Drake perform live. For his biggest fans, the experience is worth the splurge. However, prices are out of reach for many. If you’re hoping to get tickets to an upcoming Drake show, shop early, consider secondary markets, and be strategic to get seats without draining your bank account.