TicketNews has released its exclusive venues rankings for the week ending Sunday, September 26, and for the first time since mid-July, Madison Square Garden (MSG) took top honors. MSG is of course home to both the New York Knicks of the NBA, who finished at number five in TicketNews Top Sports Events rankings this week, as well as the New York Rangers of the NHL.
Also boosting MSG’s numbers was last week’s performance by Shakira, at number seven in this week’s Top Concert Events rankings. Next week, the venue will host a two date appearance by Roger Waters, who took the top spot in this week’s concert rankings. Waters returns in early November for one more concert date. The Dave Matthews Band takes the stage for two dates in mid-November, and Usher arrives in December. MSG power scored a 3.97 this week.
For the second week running, Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX, finished in the number two spot, this week power scoring a 2.10. The venue is home to the 1-2 Dallas Cowboys, whose ticket sales this week took the team to number three in Top Sports. In January, the venue plays host to the Cotton Bowl, and in February, to Super Bowl XLV.
With the NHL and NBA preseasons about to start, the TD Garden (Fleet Center) moved up four spots to land in the number three position. The Garden is home to both the Boston Bruins, who opened preseason play last week, and the Boston Celtics who start preseason play in early October. In music, Roger Waters arrives this week for three shows, with the Dave Matthews Band, Justin Bieber and Michael Buble all performing in November. Seasonal favorites the Trans-Siberian Orchestra take the stage for two shows in December. The TD Garden power scored a 1.99 this week.
After weeks just out of the top ten, Sun Life Stadium (formerly Dolphins Stadium) made in onto the list, coming in at number four with a power score of 1.90. The Stadium is home to the 2-1 Miami Dolphins, whose ticket sales this week put them at number one in the Top Sports rankings, and to the MLB’s Florida Marlins. There is more football to come in January when the venue hosts the popular Orange Bowl.
Up one this week was the Gershwin Theatre, coming in at number five and power scoring a 1.83. Though not a clear top five contender as in previous weeks, the Gershwin remains a solid top ten finisher due to continued strong ticket sales for the long running hit musical, Wicked.
The Boston Opera House dropped two spots to take number six this week, power scoring a 1.50. The theater’s current production of “Wicked” runs through October 17.
After a one week hiatus, Heinz Field, made it back into the top ten, finishing the week at number seven and power scoring a 1.46. Heinz Field is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers who are experiencing strong sales in the early season, coming in at number nine in this week’s Top Sports rankings. In other sports, the Field will host the New Years Day Winter Classic, to be played between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals.
As it does every holiday season, Radio City Music Hall is making its way up the top ten rankings, up one this week to number eight. Power scoring a 1.34, the venue is renowned for its seasonal production of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which this week took third place in both the Top Broadway and Top Theater Events rankings. In other music, Drake arrives for two shows at Radio City this week.
Back in the top ten for the first time in a month was Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. In at number nine and power scoring a 1.34, the Stadium is home to the 2-1 Houston Texans who sold well enough this week to make it to number two in the Top Sports rankings. In April of 2011, the venue will host Final Four play in the popular NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
In at number ten, the United Center in Chicago, IL, returned to the list for the first time since early June, when its Chicago Blackhawks captured the 2010 Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks are currently in their preseason schedule for the 2010-2011 season. The venue also is home court to the Chicago Bulls, who begin preseason play next week. The United Center finished the week with a power score of 1.30.
Football venues populated the top ten this week, and as another intersection of major league sports seasons approaches, hockey and basketball venues are starting to appear on the list as well. The Gershwin and the Boston Opera House are the only theater venues in 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 | Madison Square Garden Tickets | 3.97 |
| 2 |
Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tickets |
2.10 |
| 3 | TD Garden (Fleet Center) Tickets | 1.99 |
| 4 | Sun Life Stadium (Formerly Dolphin Stadium) Tickets | 1.90 |
| 5 | Gershwin Theatre Tickets | 1.83 |
| 6 | Boston Opera House Tickets | 1.50 |
| 7 | Heinz Field Tickets | 1.46 |
| 8 | Radio City Music Hall Tickets | 1.34 |
| 9 | Reliant Stadium Tickets | 1.34 |
| 10 | United Center Tickets | 1.30 |
| 11 | Wells Fargo Center – PA (formerly Wachovia Center) Tickets | 1.29 |
| 12 | Soldier Field Stadium Tickets | 1.28 |
| 13 | Staples Center Tickets | 1.21 |
| 14 | American Airlines Arena Tickets | 1.19 |
| 15 | Air Canada Centre Tickets | 1.19 |
| 16 | New Meadowlands Stadium Tickets | 1.14 |
| 17 | Gillette Stadium Tickets | 1.13 |
| 18 | Caesars Palace – Colosseum Tickets | 1.11 |
| 19 | Lambeau Field Tickets | 1.04 |
| 20 | Cotton Bowl Stadium Tickets | 1.02 |
