Ed Sheeran is one of the most popular and successful musicians in the world today. The English singer-songwriter has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. Sheeran is known for hits like “Shape of You,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Photograph,” and “Perfect.”
After taking a break from touring between 2019-2021, Sheeran is back on the road again with his “+-=÷x Tour” (pronounced The Mathematics Tour). This tour is in support of his 2021 album “=” and is shaping up to be one of the hottest concert tickets of 2023.
But with massive demand comes high prices. Getting tickets to see Ed Sheeran live can cost a pretty penny these days. Let’s take a closer look at the key factors that determine Ed Sheeran ticket prices and get an idea of what to expect if you want to catch him live on tour.
What Determines Ed Sheeran Ticket Prices?
Several factors account for the hefty price tag on Ed Sheeran concert tickets:
Popularity and Demand
Sheeran has legions of devoted fans who jump at any chance to see him live. His concerts routinely sell out arenas and stadiums within minutes. When demand is so high, basic economics dictates prices will follow suit. Sheeran could easily charge twice as much and still sell out every show.
Only Solo Act
Unlike a band, Sheeran doesn’t have to split tour revenues multiple ways. He rakes in all the money himself, giving him more leeway to charge premium rates.
Tour Overhead
Although Sheeran performs solo, he still needs an army of roadies, technicians, and managers to pull off a massive world tour. These costs get passed onto consumers.
Venue Size
Sheeran often plays 50,000+ seat stadiums to meet demand. Booking large venues is expensive for both the artist and promoters, again leading to higher ticket prices.
VIP/Premium Options
Like many A-list performers, Sheeran offers various VIP packages with perks like premium seating, exclusive merch, and backstage access. These packages can run into the thousands.
Dynamic Pricing
Sheeran uses variable ticket pricing to capture maximum value. Prices typically start high upon initial release, then may be lowered selectively later to fill remaining seats. But the prime seats still command top dollar throughout.
Average Ticket Prices by City
Sheeran is playing stadiums across North America, Europe, and the UK on his tour. Let’s break down the average price his fans can expect to pay in major cities:
City | Venue | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
London | Wembley Stadium | $150 |
New York City | MetLife Stadium | $125 |
Toronto | Rogers Centre | $115 |
Paris | Stade de France | €120 |
Berlin | Olympiastadion | €100 |
Sydney | Stadium Australia | A$150 |
As we can see, the average price for a standard admission Ed Sheeran ticket ranges between $100-$150 USD in most major tour markets. But that’s just the starting point. Prices can rise dramatically depending on seat location and extras.
Price Range by Seat Location
Where you sit or stand in an arena or stadium has a huge impact on how much you’ll pay at an Ed Sheeran concert:
Seat Location | Average Price Range |
---|---|
Nosebleeds/Upper Level | $70-$100 |
Lower Level Corner/End | $100-$250 |
Lower Level Side | $150-$400 |
Lower Level Center | $200-$500+ |
Floor/Pit Standing | $250-$500+ |
VIP Packages | $500-$5,000+ |
As expected, tickets closest to the stage command the highest prices by far. Die-hard Sheeran fans shell out hundreds and sometimes thousands to get as close as possible for the full experience.
VIP packages with meet & greets, premium seating, and exclusive merchandise are the most expensive tier. These specialized offerings let fans pay for bonus perks on top of their ticket.
Paying Over Face Value?
If you missed out on buying Ed Sheeran tickets during the initial on-sale, you’ll likely pay more than face value buying resale tickets on secondary markets.
Many tickets end up on sites like StubHub and VividSeats, often with large markups. For example, a lower level ticket originally priced at $150 could easily resell for $300 or more later on.
Why the huge upcharge? Because demand exceeds supply for the top concerts. And some opportunistic resellers try to cash in.
As a general rule, expect to pay at least 50% over face value, if not double or triple, for the most coveted sold out Sheeran tickets on secondary sites. You can find better deals if you buy early.
How Ed Sheeran Ticket Prices Compare Historically
Sheeran’s 2023 ticket prices are significantly higher than past tours. Let’s look at how pricing has trended over his touring career:
Tour | Year | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Multiply Tour | 2012 | $35 |
X Tour | 2014 | $50 |
Divide Tour | 2017 | $85 |
Mathematics Tour | 2023 | $125 |
In just over 10 years, Sheeran’s average ticket price has nearly quadrupled from $35 to $125. His popularity explosion combined with inflation explains the dramatic rise.
Sheeran’s star power today allows him to charge a premium compared to early tours playing small theaters and clubs. Back then, fans could see him for as little as $25. Those bargain days won’t return.
Tips for Saving on Ed Sheeran Tickets
Despite high demand, you can still get Ed Sheeran tickets for under face value or at least avoid overpaying with these money-saving tips:
Buy Early
Prices are lowest when tickets first go on sale. Don’t hesitate to buy when you see seats you want.
Look for Presales
Sign up for Sheeran’s fan club or follower promoter/venue presales to get early access before the general public.
Consider Upper Level or End Zone Seats
You’ll pay far less for nosebleeds and side/corner seats versus lower level center. Still usually under $100.
Buy Single Tickets
Sometimes you can find stray singles priced below market value. Widens your options.
Wait Until Last Minute
Prices tend to drop as the concert date nears if it isn’t sold out. A risky but potential strategy.
Conclusion
In 2023, Ed Sheeran remains one of the hottest live acts around. As a result, tickets to see him don’t come cheap. His average concert ticket now exceeds $100.
Seats closest to the stage easily run $200, $300, $400 or more per seat. And secondary market prices often get inflated another 50-100% over face value.
But flexible fans can still find better deals, especially if buying early. Nosebleed seats generally start under $100. With smart planning, catching Ed live doesn’t have to break the bank account.