In the middle of NBA and NHL playoffs, and the start of baseball season, comes a surprise. According to TicketNews’s exclusive venues rankings for the week ending Sunday, May 10, the Gershwin Theatre takes the number one position once again after several weeks out of the lead. Ticket sales for the theater’s long-running hit musical Wicked make it happen for the Gershwin all over again, keeping the show in first place in both TicketNews’s Top Broadway Events and Top Theater Events. The Gershwin dominates with an impressive power score of 2.99.
Moving up three spots this week to take the number two spot is Fenway Park. Fenway’s Boston Red Sox continue to see very strong ticket sales end up maintaining their number one position in TicketNews’s Top Sports Events for the third straight week. The Dave Matthews Band, at number seven in this week’s Top Concert Events, also boost Fenway’s numbers with a two-date engagement at the park later this month. Fenway Park power scores a 2.24 this week.
Once more, the new Yankee Stadium follows Fenway in the rankings, up three slots to number three and power scoring a 1.85. Ticket sales for New York Yankees baseball are strong enough to keep the team in second place in Top Sports Events and they drive the venue’s upward mobility in the rankings this week.
Last week’s leader, TD Banknorth Garden, falls to the number four spot this week, power scoring a 1.74. The Garden’s drop is tempered by robust ticket sales for its Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, both currently in playoff contention, as well as upcoming concerts by top artists. The Celtics remain in Eastern Conference semifinal play against the Orlando Magic, recently tying their series at 2-2 by winning game four at the Amway Arena in Orlando. The series is a popular one this week, making TicketNews’s Top Sports Events at number six (Celtics) and number ten (Magic). Game five is scheduled for tonight at the Garden. The Bruins are currently down 3-2 in their semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes, with game six of the series scheduled for tonight at the Garden. In performances, the Garden is scheduled to host the American Idols Live tour, debuting this week at number one in TicketNews’s Top Concert Events rankings, and it has two July dates for tween faves the Jonas Brothers. TD Banknorth Garden finishes with a power score of 2.85.
The Toyota Center in Houston, TX stays strong this week, moving up two to the number five slot and power scoring a 1.73. Fueling the Center’s rise is strong fan turnout for its Houston Rockets in their Western Conference semi’s against the Los Angeles Lakers. In another series which hits the Top Sports Events rankings hard at numbers three (Rockets) and five (Lakers), the teams are even at 2-2. Game five is scheduled for tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, and game six will be in Houston on May 14. In concerts, the Toyota Center will host Beyonce’s tour in July and the Jonas Brothers in August.
The Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, CA, moves up three to the number six spot this week. Finishing the week with a power score of 1.71, the theater is hosting a popular west-coast production of the top selling musical “Wicked”. The Staples Center returns to the list this week at number seven as its Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets in the semi’s. In addition to game five tonight, the Center also will host game seven of the series, if necessary. The venue also will see dates for a number of top artists in the coming months, including Fleetwood Mac in May, the American Idols Live tour in July, and three dates for the Jonas Brothers in August. The Staples Center power scores a 1.52 this week.
Next on the list at number eight is Wrigley Field, home to perennial underdogs the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs do their part to keep Wrigley performing on the list this week, hanging tough at number four in TicketNews’s Top Sports Events rankings. Wrigley also is scheduled to host two July dates on the Elton John and Billy Joel Face 2 Face tour, which this week hits at number two in Top Concert Events. Wrigley Field power scores a 1.50.
The Nikon at Jones Beach Theater drops a big five spots to land at number nine this week. Despite this fall, the Nikon’s roster of top-selling artists with summer dates seems to be keeping the venue afloat just fine in the rankings. Included in the outdoor venue’s line-up is Aerosmith and ZZ Top, Kenny Chesney and the Dave Matthews Band, all top-ten finishers this week in TicketNews’s Top Concert Events. The Nikon at Jones Beach Theater has a power score of 1.35.
Rounding out the top ten this week is the United Center in Chicago, IL. At number ten and power scoring a 1.24, the Center is home to Chicago Blackhawks hockey and hosted part of their popular Western Conference semifinal series against the Vancouver Canucks. On Monday evening, the Blackhawks clinched a spot in the finals with their win over Vancouver, taking the series 4-2. The United Center also hosts Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tonight, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in June and Beyonce in July.
Venues hosting NBA and NHL playoffs remain hot this week, and baseball stadiums continue to pack them in. Summer concert dates keep both stadiums and outdoor venues popular. Despite its first place finish, the Gershwin is one of only two theater venues making it into the top ten this week.
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 | 2.99 |
| 2 | Fenway Park Tickets | 2.24 |
| 3 | New Yankee Stadium Tickets | 1.85 |
| 4 | TD Banknorth Garden Tickets | 1.74 |
| 5 | Toyota Center – TX Tickets | 1.73 |
| 6 | Orpheum Theatre San Francisco Tickets | 1.71 |
| 7 | Staples Center Tickets | 1.52 |
| 8 | Wrigley Field Tickets | 1.50 |
| 9 | Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Tickets | 1.35 |
| 10 | United Center Tickets | 1.24 |
| 11 | American Airlines Center Tickets | 1.23 |
| 12 | Verizon Center – DC Tickets | 1.16 |
| 13 | Virginia/August Wilson Theatre – NY Tickets | 1.13 |
| 14 | Imperial Theatre – NY Tickets | 1.07 |
| 15 | Philips Arena Tickets | 1.05 |
| 16 | Palace Theatre New York City Tickets | 1.04 |
| 17 | Pepsi Center Tickets | 0.99 |
| 18 | Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tickets | 0.92 |
| 19 | MGM Grand Garden Arena Tickets | 0.90 |
| 20 | Mohegan Sun Arena Tickets | 0.85 |
