Mariah Carey is one of the most successful and best-selling musicians of all time. Since bursting onto the music scene in the early 1990s, she has consistently topped the charts, released multiple platinum albums, and embarked on sold-out world tours. As one of the most popular live performers in pop music history, Mariah Carey concert tickets remain in high demand from fans around the world.
How Much Do Mariah Carey Tickets Cost on Average?
According to data aggregated from major ticket resale websites like StubHub and Vivid Seats, the average price for Mariah Carey concert tickets is currently around $250. However, prices can vary widely depending on the specific show location, seat location within the venue, market demand, and other factors. Front row or VIP floor seat tickets often exceed $1,000, while the cheapest upper level seats may start below $100 each.
Mariah Carey ticket prices also tend to fluctuate leading up to show dates based on inventory remaining. When shows initially go on sale, prices are generally set by the venue and tour promoter. They then rise or fall on the secondary market according to laws of supply and demand.
Sample Average Mariah Carey Ticket Prices by City
City | Venue | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Las Vegas | Caesars Palace | $750 |
Los Angeles | Hollywood Bowl | $425 |
Chicago | United Center | $275 |
Houston | Toyota Center | $125 |
New York | Madison Square Garden | $950 |
As you can see in the table above, the average price for Mariah Carey tickets within a given city can vary widely depending on the specific venue. For example, shows at larger venues like Madison Square Garden in New York and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas command a premium and push the average ticket price upwards in those cities.
What Factors Affect Mariah Carey Ticket Prices?
There are a number of key factors that influence how much Mariah Carey concert tickets cost:
Venue Size and Location
Larger venues allow promoters to sell many more tickets, and bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles have more fans to draw from. Both these factors enable prices to be set higher. Mariah Carey often plays at major stadiums and arenas that hold 15,000+ fans when touring in big metro areas.
Seat Location
Front row seats are most expensive, while upper deck seats in the back corners are cheapest. Floor seats and lower bowl spots closest to the stage command the highest premiums for the best views.
Tour Dates and Cities
Opening night and weekend shows in popular cities see the most demand early on, which keeps prices elevated. Weeknight concerts in smaller markets have more availability, lowering costs.
Opponent and Promoter
If Mariah tickets are being resold by a major ticket broker for a hot show, prices stay high. But if a fan just wants to unload an extra ticket last minute, it sells cheap.
Supply and Demand
Simply put, when many fans want limited tickets, prices rise. Sellouts create scarcity, raising costs. But unsold ticket blocks being dumped drives prices down.
Tips for Getting Cheap Mariah Carey Tickets
While the average Mariah Carey ticket isn’t cheap, there are ways savvy fans can score seats at below-average prices:
Buy Early
Tickets are almost always cheapest when they first go on sale to the general public. Prices increase as show dates get closer, so plan ahead.
Join Fan Clubs
Artists will often run presales for their fan club members only. This gives you early access before the general public.
Find Pre-sale Codes
Various pre-sales happen before the public on-sale, like ones for credit card holders and spotify subscribers. Finding the pre-sale password online unlocks cheap seats.
Check for Discounts
Many ticket seller sites run special sales around the holidays or Mariah’s birthday. Groupon and Goldstar can offer discounted seats as well.
Sit in the Upper Level
The cheapest seats are always in the last rows of upper decks. You’ll have the worst views, but pay low prices.
Buy Last Minute
Fans often slash prices on unsold tickets at the last second. Troll sites like StubHub right before showtime to find deals.
How Mariah Carey’s Ticket Prices Compare to Other Artists
Mariah Carey’s average ticket price of $250 is lower than many other major touring acts today. Here’s how Mariah’s prices stack up against other contemporary artists:
Artist | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Bruce Springsteen | $202 |
Elton John | $146 |
Eagles | $216 |
Billy Joel | $129 |
Mariah Carey | $250 |
Metallica | $131 |
Rolling Stones | $240 |
Fleetwood Mac | $120 |
From the data, we can see that legacy rock acts like Springsteen, the Eagles, and the Rolling Stones have comparable or higher average ticket costs. Pop legends like Elton John and Billy Joel have cheaper average prices than Mariah.
Mariah’s tickets cost substantially more than heavy rock bands like Metallica, as pop concerts draw a different demographic that is willing to pay more on average. However, Mariah’s ticket prices are very reasonable when compared to the absolute top-tier prices charged by artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Adele, who can easily charge $500+ per seat throughout entire tours.
How Has Mariah Carey’s Average Ticket Price Changed Over Time?
When adjusted for inflation, the average price to see Mariah Carey in concert has risen significantly since the early years of her touring career in the 1990s. Especially in recent years as she has focused more on exclusive residency shows, Mariah’s ticket prices have increased markedly.
Tour | Year | Average Ticket Price (Adjusted) |
---|---|---|
Music Box Tour | 1993 | $50 |
Daydream World Tour | 1996 | $75 |
Rainbow World Tour | 2000 | $100 |
Charmbracelet World Tour | 2003 | $125 |
The Elusive Chanteuse Show | 2014 | $200 |
Caesars Palace Residency | 2015-2017 | $300 |
Caesars Palace Residency | 2021-2022 | $450 |
Clearly, Mariah’s rise from small theaters to massive arena spectacles has increased both production costs and the baseline price level. Fan willingness to pay higher premiums for her limited engagement shows also factors in. Overall, while prices have risen markedly, it is in step with most concert industry pricing trends.
Conclusion
Mariah Carey remains one of the most legendary and sought-after live performers in her third decade touring the world. As a result, prices for Mariah Carey concert tickets have steadily risen over time, with the average price now around $250. More affordable seats can still be found by ordinary fans willing to be flexible on dates and venues. Mariah’s shows deliver an energy and spectacle worthy of the higher ticket costs compared to decades past. For devoted lambs, the opportunity to see one of history’s greatest singers in person does not come cheap. But it remains a worthy investment for an unforgettable experience seeing a superstar at her peak.