TicketNews has released its exclusive venues rankings for the week ending Sunday, March 22, and for the first time since the rankings began in May 2008, the Gershwin Theatre claims the number one spot. The theater can thank its hit musical Wicked for its ultimate rise to the top. The musical repeatedly tops TicketNews’s Top Theater Events rankings and is always a top fiver in the Top Combined Events rankings. The Gershwin power scores a 2.67 this week.
Toppled off its number one perch of the past several weeks is Madison Square Garden (MSG). Coming in at number two this week with a power score of 2.19, MSG still boasts an impressive array of talent on its schedule, including the Dave Matthews Band in April, Andrea Bocelli in June and Taylor Swift with Kellie Pickler in August. MSG also has an April date on the popular WWE tour, and it is home court to New York Knicks basketball, currently at number six in TicketNews’s Top Sports Events rankings.
Up three to the number three spot is the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Staples Center also has a number of top sellers on its roster this season, including tween favorites the Jonas Brothers on their summer tour, which takes number one in this week’s TicketNews Top Concert Events and Top Combined Events rankings. In addition to the famous brothers, the Center will host Britney Spears and Taylor Swift, as well as the WWE tour in the coming months. Los Angeles Lakers basketball, at number five in TicketNews’s Top Sports Events rankings, also keeps this venue in the top ten week after week. The Staples Center power scores a 2.05 this week.
Up one to number four this week is Fenway Park. The home to the popular Boston Red Sox also will host two dates on the Dave Matthews Band tour this May. Fenway Park has a power score of 1.94 this week. Following closely behind Fenway is the new Yankee Stadium. Moving up two to the number five position, the newly-built home of the iconic New York Yankees will host two exhibition games in early April and then will have the Cleveland Indians in for the team’s home opener on April 16. The stadium has a power score of 1.91.
Next in the rankings is newcomer Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC. At number six and power scoring a 1.75, the venue has a date on the Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler tour in June. Another new arrival this week is the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Landing in the number seven spot, the Verizon Center has scheduled a number of top tours in the coming months, including Britney Spears, the Jonas Brothers, and the WWE. The Center debuts with a power score of 1.64. Up two to number eight this week is the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater This summer the outdoor venue will host performances by the likes of Kenny Chesney, the Dave Matthews Band and Nickelback with Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel. The Nikon at Jones Beach Theater has a power score of 1.61 this week.
The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA, returns to the list after a one week hiatus. Finishing at number nine and power scoring a 1.59, the Wachovia Center has scheduled dates for the Jonas Brothers, Andrea Bocelli, and the WWE this summer.
Finally, TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA drops six slots to land in the number ten position in our rankings. Helping to keep it in the top ten this week is a July date on the Jonas Brothers tour. TD Banknorth Garden has a power score of 1.52.
Look for more baseball venues to make their way into the top ten as the season begins. Concert venues remain strong contenders, with more outdoor spaces likely to move onto the list as we enter the warmer months. While the Gershwin hangs tough in the number one spot, its Broadway peers have not been spotted in the top ten in months, and it is unclear when this trend will reverse itself.
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 | Gershwin Theatre Tickets | 2.67 |
| 2 | Madison Square Garden Tickets | 2.19 |
| 3 | Staples Center Tickets | 2.05 |
| 4 | Fenway Park Tickets | 1.94 |
| 5 | New Yankee Stadium Tickets | 1.91 |
| 6 | Greensboro Coliseum Tickets | 1.75 |
| 7 | Verizon Center Tickets | 1.64 |
| 8 | Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Tickets | 1.61 |
| 9 | Wachovia Center Tickets | 1.59 |
| 10 | TD Banknorth Garden Tickets | 1.52 |
| 11 | Mohegan Sun Arena Tickets | 1.46 |
| 12 | Orpheum Theatre Tickets | 1.30 |
| 13 | Hollywood Bowl Tickets | 1.10 |
| 14 | Nassau Coliseum Tickets | 1.08 |
| 15 | Hp Pavilion Tickets | 1.07 |
| 16 | Key Arena Tickets | 1.07 |
| 17 | Rexall Place Tickets | 1.05 |
| 18 | MGM Grand Garden Arena Tickets | 1.03 |
| 19 | Wrigley Field Tickets | 1.02 |
| 20 | Toyota Center Tickets | 1.00 |
