Why Las Vegas Concert Prices are Higher Than Other Cities

• An analysis of stadium concert tour prices confirms that tickets in Las Vegas tickets cost more 
• Add-on fees make up the majority of that price difference

Tickets to concerts in Las Vegas have always felt more expensive than in other cities. Now, we have numbers to substantiate that feeling.

Using figures from Las Vegas-based Applied Analysis, KLAS-TV (Las Vegas’ CBS affiliate) analyzed  prices for three upcoming or recent concerts (not residencies, but stops on national tours, which are easier to compare).

They found that the $298 average ticket price to see Beyoncé at Allegiant Stadium on July 25 and 26 is 23% more than the average cost of seeing her elsewhere on her “Cowboy Carter” tour. Likewise, tickets to Billy Joel last November at Allegiant averaged $249, 7% more than elsewhere on that tour. And seeing Zach Bryan at T-Mobile Arena last June cost his fans an average of $219, 16% more than elsewhere.

Why More?

According to KLAS, more fees are assessed in Las Vegas. For example, the base ticket price for a floor seat at Kendrick Lamar’s May 31 concert at Allegiant is actually $7.50 less than for his May 24 show at SoFi Stadium in LA.

After all the fees are tacked on, however, Allegiant’s price ($520.25) outstrips SoFi’s (478.30) by 8.77%.

That includes a service fee of $101.05, a facility charge of $8, an order-processing fee of $13, and a live entertainment tax of $34.20.

If you’re wondering what all those fees were, how they differ, and what they pay for, we’ve got you covered…

• Service Fee: This per-ticket fee is shared between Ticketmaster, the venue and promoters. It covers the cost of selling tickets, including technology, staff (ushers and security), and venue operations for the event. Venues use their portion to manage event-related expenses, while Ticketmaster’s share supports its ticketing platform and secure transaction processes.

• Facility Charge: This per-ticket charge supports the maintenance and operation of the venue hosting the event. It goes directly to the venue, not Ticketmaster, and covers costs including upkeep, renovations and improvements to seating, lighting and sound systems.

• Order Processing Fee: This per-order (not per ticket) fee is also shared between Ticketmaster and venues or teams. It covers the costs of processing the entire booking, such as running the website, handling customer service, and managing the transaction from start to finish.

• Live Entertainment Tax: This per-ticket state tax amounts to 9% of the total admission cost for all events featuring live entertainment at venues with a capacity of 200 or more. It goes to the state general fund, which supports education, healthcare, public safety and other state services. The tax is not unique to Nevada, nor is it the most expensive. (Washington, DC levies a 10% tax on ticket sales for live entertainment, Chicago, Ill. charges 9%).

Breaking Fee

Often in the past, promoters advertised only the base ticket price for concerts. Consumers didn’t see the fees until they checked out at the ticket vendor’s website.

This was fixed by the “junk fees rule.” (Supposedly, anyway.) Passed last December by the Federal Trade Commission, it prohibits “concealing add-on charges until the last minute,” deeming the practice deceptive.

It took effect April 16.