One-Quarter of Americans Would Take on Part-Time Job for Live Event Tickets
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., (Nov. 14, 2023) — Live events are becoming increasingly important, with 64% of working Americans wanting to attend more live events in the next year, according to new research conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of TFL.
The study, which included a survey of 2,001 American full-time employees ages 18+, found that Americans attended an average of 14 live events last year.
“Despite rising costs, in-person experiences continue to be sought after, with Americans spending an average of $802 on live events over the last year,” said Angela Presnell, SVP of Marketing & Retail at TFL. “Gen Z topped attendance, visiting 24 live events last year.
This is a trend we don’t anticipate stopping any time soon.”
Sports See Highest Attendance, Spend
Sporting events are easily the most sought-after type of live experience.
On average, Americans attended 6.53 sporting events, 3.93 live music events and 3.5 live theater events in the last year.
And sports fans are spending more, too. During the last year, Americans spent on average:
- $693 for sporting event tickets
- $480 for live music event tickets
- $334 for live theater event tickets
- $146 for other live event tickets
In total, professional baseball, basketball and football led the pack in types of sporting events attended in the last year.
Boomers Are Biggest Sports Spenders
When asked how much each generation spent on tickets for events they attended in the last year, the survey found that Boomers’ average spend was 3x higher for sporting events ($1,658) and 2x higher for live music events ($858) than other generations.
- Sporting Events: Gen X, $602; Millennial, $565; Gen Z, $367
- Live Music Events: Gen X, $389; Millennial, $458; Gen Z, $391
So where is Gen Z spending its money if it attends so many events? Live theater. On average, Gen Z Americans spent $704 on live theater events over the past year.
Live Music Trumps Super Bowl on Single Event Spend
Americans are more than willing to pay up for some of the country’s biggest events. When asked the maximum price they’d pay to attend the following live events, Americans that replied with $300 or more totaled:
- Your favorite artist in concert: 76%
- Your favorite team in the Super Bowl: 64%
- NBA Finals: 47%
- Taylor Swift concert: 36%
- Coachella: 35%
- Beyoncé concert: 35%
- Metallica concert: 35%
- U.S. Open: 34%
- Madonna concert: 30%
Ticket Tactics: Part-Time Job, Tax Refund
There is no line where Americans would stop to purchase tickets to their favorite live event.
- 44% would use their tax refund, including 55% of Millennials
- 32% would sign up for a new credit card to get access to presale
- 27% would take on a part-time job
- 18% would crowdfund money for tickets, including 27% of Millennials
Adjustments to personal finance plans aren’t all they’re willing to do – 45% of Americans would ask for early presents, 29% would wait in line for 5+ hours, 21% would camp overnight in front of the ticket office and 13% would wait in line for 10+ hours.
About TFL
Founded in 2004, TFL has evolved from a secondary ticket resale platform to a leader in technology solutions and ticketing partnerships (www.tflgroup.com). As one of the fastest-growing event distribution companies in North America and the leading Midwest ticket marketplace for sports and entertainment, TFL offers technology solutions tied to its ticket inventory, helps rightsholders maximize revenue and connects fans to live events with no hidden service fees at checkout (www.ticketsforless.com).
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building 21st-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and guidance to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Tickets For Less from September 1 to September 11, 2023, surveying 2,001 American full-time employees ages 18+. These employees work in industries ranging from financial services to retail and CPG to healthcare to education and more, and work for companies ranging from small (<150) to very large (5,000+).
The data have been weighted to the population of the U.S. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
Contact: Abigail Gentrup, abigail.gentrup@tflgroup.com
