TicketNews has released its exclusive venues rankings for the week ending Monday, January 12, and University of Phoenix Stadium bolts to number one, moving up a quick seven slots from last week’s debut at number eight. The stadium benefits from monster ticket sales for the January 18 NFC match up between its Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles, a game that dominates TicketNews’ Top Sports Events list. The stadium power scores a 5.88 this week. Giants Stadium is back in the top ten this week, finishing at number two with a power score of 3.75. The venue was host to the NFC Divisional playoff game on January 11 between its New York Giants and the Eagles (won by the Eagles).
Up two spots to the number three position this week is Madison Square Garden (MSG). The home of New York Knicks basketball and host to a March date on the upcoming Fleetwood Mac tour power scores a 3.35 this week. The Gershwin Theatre, holds steady at number four this week. With a power score of 2.65, the theater is home to the well-loved musical Wicked, which was named the top grossing Broadway show of 2008 by Variety.com.
Falling three to number five this week is the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Power scoring a 2.57, the home court for the Los Angeles Lakers also has two scheduled dates on pop superstar Britney Spears’ upcoming tour.
After weeks of dropping on the list, TD Banknorth Garden in Boston shows some upward mobility, up one this week to the number six slot. With a power score of 2.13, the Garden benefits from ticket sales for its popular hometown team, the Boston Celtics, as well as a number of shows by popular artists, including Fleetwood Mac, Metallica and Britney Spears. Heinz Field, home to the Pittsburgh Steelers, makes a return to the list this week, coming in at number seven with a power score of 2.02. On January 11, the Field was host to the Steelers’ AFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. The game, won by the Steelers, made it to number seven in TicketNews’ Top Sports Events rankings this week. Fans soon will flock to the venue again as the Steelers face off against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on January 18.
The Caesar’s Palace Colosseum also reappears in our rankings this week, hitting at number eight and power scoring a 1.71. The Las Vegas venue plays host to a number of top selling shows in the coming months, including Cher, Bette Midler, and Elton John: The Red Piano.
The venues leader last week, Dolphin Stadium falls fast to the number nine spot. The Stadium saw strong ticket sales for its BCS National Championship Bowl on January 8, pitting the University of Florida Gators against the Oklahoma Sooners (won by the Gators). Monster Jam Trucks, a popular touring show, also makes its way to Dolphin Stadium on January 31.
The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, rounds out our list this week in the number ten position. Power scoring a 1.55, the Pantages presents Broadway-style productions to west coast audiences. Current offerings include the Phantom of the Opera, with “Rent”, Grease and Mamma Mia to open in the coming months.
TicketNews Exclusive Rankings and Power Scores are based on ticket sales for venues from the TicketNetwork Exchange™, the world’s largest secondary market exchange. A Power Score illustrates a given venue’s category-specific significance. Two factors are used to calculate a power score: total ticket sales for a venue, and total ticket sales within the category. As such, power scores should only be used to compare venues within a particular category.
| Venue | Score | |
| 1 | University of Phoenix Stadium Tickets | 5.88 |
| 2 | Giants Stadium Tickets | 3.75 |
| 3 | Madison Square Garden Tickets | 3.35 |
| 4 | Gershwin Theatre Tickets | 2.65 |
| 5 | Staples Center Tickets | 2.57 |
| 6 | TD Banknorth Garden Tickets | 2.13 |
| 7 | Heinz Field Tickets | 2.02 |
| 8 | Caesar’s Palace Colosseum Tickets | 1.71 |
| 9 | Dolphin Stadium Tickets | 1.58 |
| 10 | Pantages Theatre Tickets | 1.55 |
| 11 | Bank of America Stadium Tickets | 1.43 |
| 12 | Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center Tickets | 1.29 |
| 13 | Ford Center for the Performing Arts Tickets | 1.28 |
| 14 | Toyota Center Tickets | 1.26 |
| 15 | MGM Grand Garden Arena Tickets | 1.20 |
| 16 | Virginia/August Wilson Theatre Tickets | 1.17 |
| 17 | Imperial Theatre Tickets | 1.13 |
| 18 | Verizon Center Tickets | 1.13 |
| 19 | Angel Stadium Tickets | 1.04 |
| 20 | Wachovia Center Tickets | 1.00 |
