Content Creators Turn Live Events into a Booming Business, Outselling Expectations in 2025
CHICAGO — In 2025, the live entertainment industry isn’t just about music superstars like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift — it’s also about your favorite podcasters, influencers, and digital personalities. According to StubHub, content creator tours sold nearly 500% more tickets this year compared to 2024, signaling a dramatic shift in how audiences are choosing to spend their entertainment dollars.
From Headphones to Packed Halls
While live concerts often dominate headlines for their blockbuster ticket sales, creator-led events are quietly — and quickly — emerging as some of the hottest tickets in the country. Popular tours like Alex Cooper’s Unwell, Crime Junkie’s podcast tour, and Mel Robbins’s Let Them series are drawing massive crowds at a fraction of the cost of traditional music tours.
The numbers tell the story:
- Average creator tour ticket price: $99
- Average traditional concert ticket price (2024): $159
- Taylor Swift Eras Tour average price (2023): $1,088
With ticket prices roughly 40% lower than traditional shows, it’s easy to see why fans are opting for live podcast tapings and influencer events over stadium concerts.
Smarter Tour Routing Pays Off
One reason for this rapid growth is strategic tour planning. Instead of sticking solely to major markets like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, creators are booking shows in under-served locations often skipped by big-name music acts.
Influencer Trisha Paytas brought her Eras tour to Tysons, Virginia and St. Louis, while TikTok star Jake Shane’s Therapuss tour stopped in Birmingham, Alabama and Athens, Georgia. These unconventional stops are drawing fans eager for unique, personal experiences in their own backyards.
Illinois Leads the Way in Creator Event Attendance
Illinois has emerged as the biggest fanbase for the creator economy, buying 20% more tickets than any other state. Adam Budelli, partnerships & business development lead at StubHub, says this shows a significant shift in entertainment demand in the Midwest.
Meanwhile, Texas ranks as the largest single-state fanbase for female-hosted podcast content, with unique buying patterns — 7% more single-ticket buyers than California, despite its smaller population.
The Video Podcast Effect
Another key driver of this live event boom is the rise of video podcasting. Nearly 75% of podcast consumers now watch rather than listen, turning the experience into something closer to a traditional TV talk show. This shift means fans feel an even deeper connection to hosts, making the leap to an in-person event more natural.
Creator economy expert Lindsey Gamble explains, “Being able to tour and bring people out in real life shows that they actually have a community and relationship with their followers or subscribers — enough where people are willing to dedicate their time and dollars to see them in person.”
More Interaction, Less Distance
Unlike a concert where fans watch from a distance, creator events often provide more direct interaction. Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, and fan participation moments turn these events into highly personal experiences.
Gamble adds, “It’s different from a traditional concert where you’re watching a performance. At creator events, fans feel like they’re hanging out with someone they already know intimately.”
Lucrative for Creators, Affordable for Fans
For creators, the benefits are clear: live shows expand revenue streams beyond sponsorships, memberships, and merch sales. For fans, these events remain accessible, even as mainstream concert prices hit record highs.
The model works particularly well for long-form creators — many podcasts run over an hour, making them easy to adapt for a live stage format without losing their core identity.
Key Factors Driving Creator Event Growth
| Factor | Impact on Growth | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Ticket Prices | Encourages more attendance compared to expensive concerts | $99 avg. vs. $159 traditional |
| Underserved Tour Stops | Reaches fans in smaller markets often ignored by big acts | Birmingham, AL; Athens, GA |
| Video Podcast Boom | Increases personal connection with fans | 75% of consumers now watch |
| High Fan Engagement | Interactive experiences strengthen loyalty | Q&A, meet-and-greet sessions |
| Regional Fan Trends | Targeting strong fan states boosts sales | Illinois +20% ticket sales |
The Future of Live Creator Events
As the creator economy matures, these events are likely to become even more common — and more profitable. By blending entertainment, interaction, and affordability, they’re carving out a space in the live entertainment industry that traditional concerts can’t easily replicate.
The takeaway? The next “big ticket” in entertainment might not be for a global pop star — it could be for your favorite podcaster.
What do you think — would you rather spend $99 to see your favorite podcaster live, or splurge on a $1,000 concert ticket? Join the conversation at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.