Drake is one of the biggest music stars in the world right now, so whenever he goes on tour, tickets are always in high demand. The Grammy-award winning rapper announced he will be bringing his ‘Boy Meets World’ tour to Chicago’s United Center in October 2023, and fans are eager to get their hands on tickets. But just how much can you expect to pay to see the ‘God’s Plan’ singer live in the Windy City? Let’s take a look at ticket prices for Drake’s upcoming Chicago show and what factors affect the costs.
Drake’s Popularity in Chicago
As a city with a rich hip-hop history, Chicago has always shown love for Drake. He has built a loyal fanbase here over the years, consistently selling out shows anytime he visits. When Drake brought his ‘Summer Sixteen’ tour to the United Center in 2016, tickets sold out instantly. On the secondary market, nosebleed seats were going for over $100 each just to get in the door.
Drake has only grown in popularity since then, breaking chart records with new albums like ‘Scorpion’ and ‘Certified Lover Boy’. His hotly anticipated ‘Boy Meets World’ tour is likely to be one of the hottest tickets in Chicago this fall. With Drake fever at an all-time high, Chicago fans will clamor for the chance to see him live. This intense demand allows promoters and ticket sellers to charge premium prices.
United Center Capacity
The United Center arena where Drake will perform has a maximum seating capacity of about 23,500 for concerts. With over 2.7 million residents in the City of Chicago, plus suburban and out-of-state fans looking to attend, demand for tickets will far exceed supply. Simple economics dictates that low supply + high demand = higher prices.
Chicago has other large arenas like Allstate Arena and the Wintrust Arena, but Drake is exclusively booked to play at United Center for this tour. Fans won’t have the option to see him in a cheaper venue. The United Center and Drake’s tour promoters will take full advantage of the scarce supply of seats by raising ticket prices.
Factors That Determine Drake Ticket Prices
Ticket Tiers
Like most major concert tours, Drake tickets will be sold in different packages or ‘tiers’. Tickets closest to the main stage will be most expensive due to high demand from fans who want the best chance to see Drake up close. These floor seats and lower bowl seats will likely cost several hundred dollars or more.
Mid-tier prices in the middle levels of United Center will run a few hundred dollars. Upper levels and nosebleed seats will be cheapest, but still over $100 each. VIP packages with perks like meet-and-greets, signed merch, and more also raise the pricing bar.
Reseller Markups
When tickets first go on sale through official ticket sellers like Ticketmaster, they are sold at face value prices set by the artist and promoters. But almost immediately, a flood of resellers will snatch up tickets and relist them on secondary sites like StubHub at huge markups.
These opportunistic resellers take advantage of frenzied demand, charging 2X, 3X or more the face value price. For a coveted concert like Drake in Chicago, it’s common for resale tickets to be priced from $500 to well over $1000 each. Fans desperate for tickets will shell out the big bucks.
Tour Promoter
The concert promoter organizing Drake’s tour also has significant control over ticket prices. A global promoter like Live Nation has the leverage to charge premium rates, knowing that die-hard Drake fans will pay top dollar. Unique VIP packages and platinum tickets also boost Live Nation’s bottom line.
Countrywide Demand
As an international superstar, Drake draws huge audiences across North America and worldwide. His exclusive tour dates in each city become hot commodities. With only one Chicago stop on the whole tour, demand is compounded locally and beyond. Fans may fly in from other cities and states when their hometown isn’t a tour stop. This widens the pool of buyers willing to pay higher Chicago ticket prices.
How Chicago Drake Ticket Prices Compare to Other Cities
Higher than Average
Based on prices for Drake’s upcoming shows in other major cities, Chicago tickets on the primary and secondary market are shaking out to be higher than average. Here are some examples of principal stadium shows on Drake’s tour and the starting price ranges:
City | Venue | Cheapest Tickets |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles | Crypto.com Arena | $230 |
Toronto | Scotiabank Arena | $170 |
New York | Madison Square Garden | $200 |
Chicago | United Center | $250 |
You can see Chicago tickets are starting at $250 for upper levels, significantly more than the other cities. Part of this is because Chicago is Drake’s hometown. It’s a special show for him so prices are inflated.
VIP Packages
Looking at premium VIP ticket package pricing also shows Chicago on the expensive end:
City | VIP Package Price |
---|---|
Los Angeles | $750+ |
Las Vegas | $500+ |
Toronto | $600+ |
Chicago | $850+ |
The Chicago VIP experiences including exclusive merch, backstage access, and meet and greet are topping $850 per ticket – $150 or more higher than other cities. Again, the hometown premium applies.
Resale Market
On secondary resale sites, Chicago Drake tickets are selling for ridiculous prices in all seating sections. Lower bowl seats are priced as high as $1200 to $1500 each, over 5X face value. Even the cheapest 300-level seats are marked up to $400 or more. Compared to NYC and Toronto where equivalent resale tickets are around $300 to $500 cheaper, Chicago has the biggest markup.
Estimating Your Ticket Price
So what can you realistically expect to pay if you want to see Drake live at the United Center? Here are some good estimates:
Nosebleeds
For 300-level upper deck tickets, you’ll pay at least $250 if you buy early from Ticketmaster. On resale sites, expect to pay $400 or more as prices skyrocket near the event.
100 & 200 Level Seats
To get closer 100 and 200 level seats, plan on spending $350-$500 on Ticketmaster depending on row. On StubHub and other resale sites, you’ll end up paying $600 to $900+ per ticket.
Floor Tickets
If you want the full Drake experience on the floor up close to the stage, get ready to shell out big bucks. Face value will be around $500-$750 per ticket. On the secondary market the week of the show, expect to pay an insane $1200 to $1600+ per ticket in the first 5-10 rows.
VIP Packages
UNIQUE VIP packages are where prices get really crazy. Sitting courtside or in exclusive lounges, meet & greets, custom merch, and more special benefits ramp up costs. In Chicago, perks-filled VIP Drake tickets are going for $1000 to $2000+ per seat! Only the biggest Drake superfans will pay this price.
When To Buy Drake Chicago Tickets
To maximize savings on Drake tickets in Chicago, here are some guidelines on the best time to purchase:
Presales
Try to buy during presales like fan club, VIP, or promoter presales. These usually happen before the general on-sale. Securing tickets early before masses of fans buy gives you the widest selection of seats at face value costs. Sign up for presale alerts.
General On-Sale
If you miss presales, jump online the moment when tickets officially go on sale to the general public. Have accounts already set up on Ticketmaster and other sites with payment info ready to check out fast. The best tickets go immediately.
1-2 Weeks Before the Show
Avoid buying for a couple weeks after on-sale when reseller prices are ridiculously high. Around 1-2 weeks before the concert, more tickets free up as schedules change. This can force opportunistic resellers to drop prices. You may luck out and find seats under market value.
Where To Buy Drake Tickets in Chicago
For the best deals and legitimacy, purchase Drake Chicago tickets directly through:
Primary Sellers
– Ticketmaster – Official platinum tickets
– Vivid Seats – Licensed broker
– SeatGeek – Brand-name tickets
– StubHub – Largest reseller market
Resale Sites
– Craigslist – From local sellers, use caution
– Facebook Marketplace – Fan-to-fan sales
– eBay – Requires buyer protections
– Outside the venue – Buy from scalpers at own risk
Avoid shady websites or resellers without guarantees. Only buy from reputable sources to avoid counterfeit tickets.
Tips For Saving Money on Drake Tickets
While Drake Chicago tickets will be expensive, here are some smart tips to pay less:
– Buy upper deck or behind the stage – Big savings over floors
– Avoid VIP packages – General seating much cheaper
– Buy in pairs – Odd number tickets often cheaper
– Join fan club – Unlock presale ticket access
– Buy last minute – Prices can drop day before/of show
– Enter radio contests – Free is the best price!
Set your max budget before buying. Don’t take out a loan or go into debt over concert tickets. Shop around and ultimately pay what you’re comfortable spending.
Conclusion
Drake remains one of the hottest live performers in hip-hop. As his popularity continues rising, so will ticket prices for his tours. While Chicago fans can expect to pay a premium to see the hometown hero at the United Center, those willing to hunt for deals can still find relatively affordable seats. Just prepare in advance, shop smart, and act fast when tickets go on sale. Catching the 6 God live in Chicago will definitely be worth the money!