In the wake of last week’s news that Paul McCartney will play the first shows ever at the new Citi Field in Flushing, NY, the venue shot to number one in TicketNews’s exclusive venues rankings for the week ending Sunday, June 14. McCartney, who also hit at number one this week in TicketNews’s Top Concert Events, will perform at the newly built home of the New York Mets on July 17, 18 and 21. The legendary rocker also played the final show in the Mets’ old home, Shea Stadium, last July, and of course with the Beatles performed Shea’s first ever musical event in August of 1965. Mets baseball also made a respectable showing this week, with ticket sales taking the team to number six in TicketNews’s Top Sports Events rankings. Citi Field power scored an impressive 3.59 this week.

Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI, also made it big in the top ten, rocketing up to the number two slot from a fourteenth place finish last week. The home of the Detroit Red Wings was co-host to their Stanley Cup finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and it was the site of the Penguin’s game seven win on June 12 for the coveted trophy. The popular series topped this week’s Top Sports Events rankings. The Arena also will host an August date on the WWE tour, which finished at number nine this week in Top Sports. The Joe Louis Arena power scored a 2.97 this week.

Up one this week to the number three spot was the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. With a power score of 2.95, the Gershwin stays in the top ten every week due to strong ticket sales for the musical Wicked, which once again dominated TicketNews’s Top Broadway Events, Top Theater Events and Top Combined Events rankings this week.

The new Yankee Stadium also jumped one this week, landing in the number four spot and power scoring a 2.93. Its iconic New York Yankees saw ticket sales strong enough to move them up to number two in Top Sports Events this week.

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The Amway Arena in Orlando, FL fell two this week to finish in the number five position. With a power score of 2.92, the Arena shared hosting duties for the NBA finals between its Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, in a series which hit at number three in this week’s Top Sports Events. On June 14 in Orlando, the Lakers took the series 4-1 in game five. The Amway Arena also will have a July date on the WWE tour. Fenway Park in Boston, MA showed some upward mobility this week, moving up one to hit at number six in the rankings. Ticket sales for Boston Red Sox baseball helped the team to hold steady at number four in this week’s Top Sports Events. Fenway Park power scored a 2.44 this week.

The Imperial Theatre in New York City debuted this week in the number seven spot. The Imperial is home to the 2009 winner of Best Musical and nine other Tony awards, Billy Elliot, which finished at number two in this week’s Top Broadway Events and at number three in Top Theater Events. The Imperial had a power score this week of 2.24.

Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL held tight to the number eight position this week, power scoring a 1.99. Hometown team the Chicago Cubs kept ticket sales strong enough to maintain them at number five in Top Sports Events this week. The stadium also will host two July dates on Elton John and Billy Joel’s Face 2 Face tour. New to the rankings this season is the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Corona, NY. Always a big favorite with fans is the Stadium’s US Open Tennis Championship, which runs from late August to early September.

Finally, Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ fell a dramatic nine spots this week to land in the number ten position. Power scoring a 1.50, the Stadium will host its final musical events this year as it prepares to close after the 2009 season of NFL football. Helping to celebrate the stadium and playing its last concerts ever are Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (at number six in Top Concerts this week), who will be there for five nights in late September and early October. Leading up to this series, also in late September, is a two-date appearance by perennial favorites U2 (at number four in Top Concerts). In sports, Giants Stadium is home to the very popular New York Giants and New York Jets football teams, selling preseason and season tickets now.

As NHL and NBA finals end, sports stadiums, especially those with scheduled concerts this summer, move up on the list. The Gershwin has a new companion on the list this week as the Imperial joins in, leaving two theaters once again in the top ten.

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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.

Top Venues

Week Ending 06/14/2009

      Venue Score
1 Citi Field Tickets 3.59
2 Joe Louis Arena Tickets 2.97
3 Gershwin Theatre Tickets 2.95
4 New Yankee Stadium Tickets 2.93
5 Amway Arena Tickets 2.92
6 Fenway Park Tickets 2.44
7 Imperial Theatre – NY Tickets 2.24
8 Wrigley Field Tickets 1.99
9 Arthur Ashe Stadium Tickets 1.86
10 Giants Stadium Tickets 1.50
11 Virginia/August Wilson Theatre – NY Tickets 1.42
12 Madison Square Garden Tickets 1.41
13 Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Tickets 1.32
14 Comcast Center – MA Tickets 1.27
15 Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tickets 1.26
16 Orpheum Theatre – San Francisco Tickets 1.26
17 Wachovia Center Tickets 1.20
18 Citizens Bank Park Tickets 1.06
19 Palace Theatre New York City Tickets 0.99
20 Staples Center Tickets 0.85