Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars in the world, with millions of fans across the globe eagerly awaiting her live performances. The American singer-songwriter is renowned for her narrative songwriting, catchy pop melodies, and high-production concert spectacles. Swift’s popularity has steadily risen since her 2006 self-titled debut album, with each new release garnering even more commercial success and critical acclaim.
In the past few years, Swift has focused on touring stadiums and playing record-breaking residencies. Her reputation Stadium Tour in 2018 became the highest-grossing tour in US history by a woman. Demand for Taylor Swift concert tickets is always extremely high, especially when she tours the UK. So how much can Swift fans expect to pay when the pop superstar performs in Britain?
Taylor Swift’s Upcoming UK Tour Dates
After a few years off the road, Swift recently announced her first tour since 2018, The Eras Tour. This massive global trek includes two UK stadium shows in summer 2023:
- June 17 – Manchester, England – Etihad Stadium
- June 21 – London, England – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
These two concerts mark Swift’s first UK shows since 2018. With over a four year gap between tours, anticipation is sky-high amongst British Swifties. Historically, when Swift plays limited dates in a country, tickets sell out very quickly. Fans are eager to get tickets for any price, knowing supplies are constrained at the massive 80,000+ capacity venues.
Factors Impacting Taylor Swift Ticket Prices
Several key factors come into play when determining the market price for Taylor Swift tickets in the UK:
- Swift’s Popularity – Taylor is one of the few artists with a global fanbase capable of selling out stadiums in minutes.
- Scarcity – With only 2 UK shows, demand heavily outweighs supply.
- Venue Size – Stadium concerts have far more tickets than arena shows.
- Tour Activity – Swift’s first tour in 5 years creates pent-up demand.
- Location – London and Manchester are massive metro areas with concentrated fanbases.
Below, we’ll analyze UK ticket prices for these major variables and what to expect when buying tickets legitimately.
Face Value Ticket Prices
Section | Manchester Ticket Price | London Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Lower Level/Floor | £155 – £400 | £155 – £400 |
Lower Level Stands | £95 – £155 | £95 – £250 |
Upper Level | £55 – £95 | £65 – £155 |
The face value prices above come directly from Taylor Swift Tix, the official source for first access to tickets. Swift is using a Verified Fan system that aims to get more tickets directly into the hands of fans during the initial sales period. Registering for TaylorSwiftTix does not guarantee you will receive a code to buy, but it is currently the best official option.
Key Face Value Price Takeaways
- No tickets below £55 for Manchester and £65 for London.
- Front floor tickets reach £400 for both shows.
- Lower bowl seats ranged from £95 – £250 depending on venue.
- Upper levels were £55 – £155 across both stadiums.
Keep in mind, these initial pricing sheets may not reflect final ticket prices for additional sections, including VIP packages and premium seats exceeding £400. However, the prices do indicate the show is on the more affordable side for Swift stadium standards.
Expected Prices on Resale Market
Once the initial on-sales sell out instantly, fans will head to the secondary market looking to buy Taylor Swift tickets. Sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster UK allow season ticket holders and scalpers to resell spare tickets at a premium. Based on high demand and low supply, expect to pay the following:
Lower Level/Floor Seating: £500 – £1,500+
Floor tickets are always the most coveted, especially close to the B-Stages where Swift performs acoustically. Prime floor seats can easily fetch between £500 – £1,500+ each due to their scarcity. Front row and VIP floor experiences will go for £2,000-5,000+.
Lower Level Stand Seating: £250 – £700
The lower bowl offers elevated sightlines and proximity for a fraction of the floor price. You can likely snag lower level seats for £250 – £700 during the lead-up to Swift’s UK shows.
Upper Level Seating: £150 – £400
If you aren’t concerned about distance and want to get in the door, upper level seats will be widely available between £150 – £400 as show dates approach. Games of cat and mouse happen as sellers gradually drop prices leading up to the concert trying to panic buyers.
Tips for Getting the Best Taylor Swift Tickets
Here are my top tips for finding reasonably priced Taylor Swift tickets during her UK tour dates:
- Register for TaylorSwiftTix – This gives you first dibs during the initial on-sale at face value prices. No guarantee of getting a code, but your best bet.
- Buy ASAP – Prices will skyrocket on secondary sites after the on-sales. Buy instantly if you land seats.
- Shop Multiple Sites – Be ready on Ticketmaster UK plus StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats etc.
- Split Up Group – Have better luck getting 2-4 seats together vs 6-8.
- Consider Solo Tickets – Great way to get floor access for diehard Swifties.
- Wait Closer to Show – Prices tend to dip in the final week as sellers panic.
Following these tips will give you the optimal chance at decent prices for Taylor’s long awaited UK return. With preparation and persistence, you should be able to score tickets for a reasonable budget.
Why Are Taylor Swift Tickets So Expensive?
It’s no secret Swift tickets sell for astronomical amounts compared to other pop acts. Here are the key reasons why Taylor Swift concerts remain a costly proposition:
- High Demand – Swift has one of the largest and most passionate fanbases globally. Her supporters will pay almost anything to attend shows.
- Scarcity – By playing very occasional and limited tours, Swift artificially limits inventory making each ticket precious.
- Production – Taylor’s elaborate stage shows with pyrotechnics, costumes and rotating stages cost millions to produce and transport.
- Stadium Venues – Large capacity drives up artist guarantees and overhead, factors passed onto buyers.
- VIP Experiences – From pit packages to backstage tours, Swift offers luxury extras that rack up costs.
- Verified Fan – Taylor’s anti-bot system creates actual demand data her team uses to price dynamically.
As long as Swift stays a top touring act, her ticket costs will remain at a premium. Fans clamor to these rare events, while brokers exploit the supply-demand imbalance in the secondary market. Until Swift increases tour frequency or varies venue sizes, prices will continue to hit shocking amounts.
Cheapest Ways to See Taylor Swift in the UK
If you want to see Taylor Swift live but can’t afford steep stadium ticket prices, all hope is not lost! Here are cheaper alternatives to see Swift perform during her rare UK tour stop:
- Enter Radio Contests – Stations like Capital FM and BBC Radio 1 often give away tickets.
- Buy a Seat for Rehearsals – No music, but you’ll see stage setup and soundchecks.
- Wait in the Ticket Drop Line – Fans sometimes return extra tickets to the box office day of show.
- Try For a Support Slot – Less popular openers like Gracie Abrams can provide a budget option.
- Look for Charity Auctions – Websites like CharityStars sometimes auction off Swift tickets for high-profile galas.
- Buy a Resale Single Ticket – Keep checking sites like Twickets for fans dumping solo seats.
As her tour approaches, more affordable chances to see pieces of the show may open up. Swift has been known to randomly surprise drop-in at small UK venues, though impossible to predict. Get creative and don’t lose hope! Where there’s a will, there’s a way for resourceful Swifties.
Final Thoughts
Taylor Swift remains one of the hottest concert tickets around despite her selective touring schedule. In the UK, Swift fans have an extremely limited chance to see the pop princess live in concert. With the demand far outweighing the supply, Swifties will shell out almost any price to secure tickets before they sell out instantly.
Average fans can expect to pay between £100 – £500 per seat at face value. On resale sites, prime floor seats fetch well over £1,000 and up. There are ways to score relatively cheap Taylor Swift tickets with effort and patience. But no doubt her UK concerts will be some of the toughest tickets of 2023.