The K-pop girl group BLACKPINK is scheduled to perform their first concert in Saudi Arabia in 2023. This has created a lot of excitement among fans in the region who are eager to see the popular four-member group live. Tickets went on sale recently and there has been huge demand, resulting in the concert sell out very quickly. Prices vary based on seat location in the stadium but on average tickets cost between 500-2000 Saudi Riyal each.
BLACKPINK Popularity in Saudi Arabia
BLACKPINK has become one of the most popular K-pop groups globally, with a large fanbase across the Middle East including Saudi Arabia. Their hit songs like “DDU-DU DDU-DU” and “Kill This Love” have accumulated millions of views on YouTube from fans in the kingdom. When it was announced earlier this year that they would be performing in Saudi Arabia for the first time, it created a lot of buzz online.
The band’s public appearances and endorsements of major brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior have made them fashion and lifestyle icons as well. For these reasons, demand for the Saudi concert was incredibly high right from the start. Tickets were sold via online portal Sharek.sa and were snapped up within hours of going live.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices for the BLACKPINK concert in Saudi Arabia vary depending on the seat location in the stadium:
VIP Packages
– Diamond VIP – 2000 SAR
– Gold VIP – 1500 SAR
Lower Bowl
– Floor A – 1000 SAR
– Floor B – 800 SAR
– Floor C – 600 SAR
Upper Bowl
– Level 1 – 500 SAR
– Level 2 – 400 SAR
– Level 3 – 300 SAR
Suite Tickets
– Suite 1 – 5000 SAR (for 6 people)
– Suite 2 – 4000 SAR (for 6 people)
– Suite 3 – 3000 SAR (for 4 people)
Section | Price (SAR) |
---|---|
Diamond VIP | 2000 |
Gold VIP | 1500 |
Floor A | 1000 |
Floor B | 800 |
Floor C | 600 |
Level 1 | 500 |
Level 2 | 400 |
Level 3 | 300 |
Suite 1 | 5000 (for 6 people) |
Suite 2 | 4000 (for 6 people) |
Suite 3 | 3000 (for 4 people) |
As we can see, prices range from 300 SAR for the cheapest seats in the upper levels to 2000 SAR for Diamond VIP packages. The average price for a decent lower bowl seat would be around 600-800 SAR per ticket.
Tickets Sold Out Quickly
Within hours of the tickets going on sale via Sharek.sa, most of the decent seat options were already sold out. The increased demand from fans in Saudi Arabia and surrounding GCC countries meant that tickets moved extremely fast. Floor and lower bowl seats were the first to be fully booked.
Many fans took to Twitter and Facebook to express their disappointment at missing out. Some are still hoping for another round of ticket sales to be announced in case the organizers release more seats. However, given the incredibly high demand, it is unlikely that significant volumes will be added at this point.
Why Are BLACKPINK Tickets So Popular?
There are several factors that have contributed to the huge demand for BLACKPINK’s Saudi concert:
They are one of the biggest K-pop girl groups
As mentioned earlier, BLACKPINK has become a global phenomenon, with hit after hit over the past 5 years since their debut. They are now considered among the most popular and successful K-pop girl groups of all time. Their music videos have billions of views on YouTube.
Expanding K-pop fanbase in Saudi Arabia
K-pop has been steadily gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. An increasing number of people, especially younger generations, are now listening to Korean pop music and following groups like BLACKPINK. This expanding fanbase has driven excitement and demand for their first concert in the country.
Lack of big concerts in Saudi in the past
Up until recently, major international music acts have not included Saudi Arabia on their touring schedules. Big concert events were not common in the past. However, this has changed with recent years seeing more openness to such events. The BLACKPINK show is one of the first of its kind, making it extra special for local fans.
FOMO from fans in GCC countries
Fans based in neighboring countries like UAE, Kuwait and Qatar also rushed to get tickets for the Saudi BLACKPINK concert. This is due to FOMO (fear of missing out) since the band is not scheduled to perform in their countries as part of this tour. Many were willing to travel to Saudi for the experience.
Only Asian concert confirmed so far
Currently, the Saudi Arabia event is the only Asian stop announced by BLACKPINK as part of their 2023 tour. Other locations so far include Europe and North America only. This has added to the frenzy for their Jeddah concert among fans in Asia.
High Resale Value of Sold Out Tickets
Given that the concert is now completely sold out, people who managed to get tickets are trying to resell them at a premium. There is a very active secondary market for BLACKPINK Saudi concert tickets on platforms like Twitter, Facebook and StubHub.
Some examples of resale prices:
Original Price | Resale Price |
---|---|
300 SAR (Upper bowl) | 800-1000 SAR |
500 SAR (Lower bowl) | 1500-1800 SAR |
1500 SAR (Gold VIP) | 3000+ SAR |
As we can see, tickets are being resold for 2x to 3x times their original price, if not more in some cases. Desperate fans who missed out when tickets first went on sale are having to shell out a lot if they want to attend the concert now.
Of course, reselling tickets this way is risky and against the rules. But it has not stopped many people trying to make a profit given the incredibly high demand. Authorities have warned against purchasing tickets from unauthorized resellers.
Options for Fans Who Missed Out
Given that the concert is practically sold out, fans who did not get tickets have the following options:
Wait and hope for another round of sales
As mentioned earlier, there is a slim chance that some additional tickets may be released later on. However, this is not guaranteed given the very limited venue capacity. But some fans are still holding on to the hope that they may get another opportunity.
Look for face value resales on official platforms
Rather than paying hugely inflated prices to black market resellers, fans can keep checking official resale platforms for face value ticket releases. Often some tickets are resold legally by people who can no longer attend. The prices are regular, but availability is scarce.
Attend official BLACKPINK pre-concert events
In many countries, artists organize official events like fanmeets and handshake events ahead of the concert. If BLACKPINK announces something similar for Saudi fans, it could be a chance for those who missed out on tickets. Of course, demand will still be very high. Details are yet to be released.
Hope that more tour dates are announced
There is a possibility that BLACKPINK may add a few more shows in other Middle Eastern cities as part of the same tour. So fans can hold out hope that they get another chance if nearby concerts are scheduled. No information on this yet though.
Watch the concert livestream
K-pop groups often livestream their concerts online for a fee, especially on Beyond LIVE platform. If BLACKPINK decides to allow online streaming, fans can pay to watch the Saudi concert live from their homes. Of course, the experience is not the same as attending live.
Catch BLACKPINK on their next tour
Given their soaring popularity, this likely won’t be the last chance for Middle East fans to see BLACKPINK perform. Even if they miss out this time, fans can hope to get tickets the next time the band tours the region in future.
Advice for Fans Trying to Get Tickets
Here are some tips for K-pop fans who want to try getting tickets the next time a major artist like BLACKPINK announces a Saudi concert:
– Sign up for pre-sale access – This gives you the chance to purchase tickets before the general public.
– Join fan club memberships of the artist – Fan clubs often get exclusive pre-sale code access.
– Follow the concert social media handles – For fastest updates on when tickets will go live.
– Use the promoter website – Check directly on promoter sites instead of just social media.
– Be ready online ahead of time – Ensure your accounts and payment details are pre-saved so you can check out faster.
– Aim for upper bowl seats – The nosebleeds sell out slower than floor tickets. Once booked, you can try upgrading.
– Team up with friends – Coordinate to try getting seats together from different devices.
– Have a back-up payment method – In case your first choice faces issues, you don’t lose time.
– Don’t give up – Be persistent and keep trying if tickets show as sold out at first. More releases can happen.
Conclusion
The upcoming BLACKPINK concert in Saudi Arabia has proven to be one of the hottest K-pop events of 2023 so far. Tickets sold out within hours, ranging from 300 to 2000 Saudi Riyal depending on seat category. Demand has been unprecedented due to their massive popularity in the region. Fans who missed out now face huge resale prices or months of waiting in hopes of extra ticket releases. It serves as a lesson to be prepared well in advance for big artist tours in future. Given that prices have been quite reasonable compared to other big stars, the Saudi stop is considered extra special by fans.