Paul McCartney’s Pittsburgh Tickets Hit $6,000 on Resale Market — Here’s Why
CHICAGO — Paul McCartney’s return to Pittsburgh this November has fans scrambling for seats — but some are experiencing major sticker shock, as resale prices skyrocket to over $6,000 per ticket.
The ex-Beatle is scheduled to perform at PPG Paints Arena on November 11, and while fans were quick to get in line when tickets went on sale, many were stunned by the resale listings. One resale ticket was spotted as high as $6,308, while even the cheaper seats soared well beyond $1,000 within just 25 minutes of public sales opening.
What’s Driving the High Prices?
Industry experts point to a combination of factors:
- Extravagant productions with massive LED setups, audio rigs, and digital effects have pushed overhead costs higher than ever.
- Add-on ticketing fees by major vendors like Live Nation and Ticketmaster also inflate prices.
- Resale platforms like StubHub further drive up the final cost for fans trying to score a spot.
One fan, Ethan Rene, said he bought a ticket to another show for $190, but “with fees, it was 230-something.” That markup, while frustrating, pales in comparison to McCartney’s current resale costs.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
When asked if any artist was worth as much as “a decent used car,” Rene replied flatly, “No. I would not.” And yet, for superfans of McCartney — who was recently featured on Beatles-related content during the ‘Got Back’ tour — the demand hasn’t waned.
Some of the current resale prices for McCartney are more than 10 times higher than popular touring acts like GHOST, whose top seats in the same venue are listed at $526.
Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and Scrutiny
Both Ticketmaster and Live Nation have drawn heat in recent years — including federal antitrust investigations — over their practices. Critics argue the companies dominate the ticketing market and enable aggressive dynamic pricing and resales. The companies maintain that the pricing is simply “the cost of doing business.”
As CBS News Pittsburgh reports, “as long as people are willing to pay, the show will go on — and the cost will continue to rise.”
What It Means for Chicago Fans
Though this specific concert is in Pittsburgh, the trend isn’t isolated. Fans in Chicago and across the Midwest should be prepared for similar price spikes as legacy artists like McCartney, Springsteen, and Madonna continue to tour with limited stops and high production budgets.
Are resale ticket prices keeping you from seeing your favorite artists? Would you ever pay $6,000 to see a music legend like McCartney? Share your thoughts with us at ChicagoMusicGuide.com — we’d love to hear from you!