U.S. Open ticket sales keep Arthur Ashe Stadium as top venue for third straight week

As the U.S. Open Tennis Championship concluded this past weekend (with a rain delay forcing a Monday finish for the men’s title), Arthur Ashe Stadium in Corona, NY claimed the title of number one venue in TicketNews’ exclusive venues rankings for the week ending Sunday, September 12.

Finishing the week with a power score of 3.88, the Stadium has taken the number one venues spot for three consecutive weeks, including the entire two week run of the tournament. On September 11, Kim Clijsters trounced Vera Zvonareva for the women’s title, and on September 13 Rafael Nadal bested Novak Djokovic in a men’s finals match that hit at number two in this week’s Top Sports Events rankings.

In the lead up to this week’s much anticipated performance by powerhouse performers Jay-Z and Eminem, the New Yankee Stadium edged up one this week, finishing at number two. The Stadium’s New York Yankees are also currently battling out the AL East title with the Tampa Bay Rays. The New Yankee Stadium power scored a 3.57 this week.

Dallas Cowboys Stadium finished the week strong once again, down just one from last week to take the number three spot. Power scoring a 2.78, the Arlington, TX venue is home field to the Dallas Cowboys, whose early season sales took the team to number one in this week’s Top Sports rankings. More collegiate and NFL events are in store for the venue, with the Cotton Bowl in January of 2011 and Super Bowl XLV to be played there in February. In other sports, Dallas Cowboys Stadium hosts the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito fight on November 13 and Kelly Pavlik vs. Julio Cesar Chavez on December 4.

Holding steady at number four this week, Madison Square Garden (MSG) is in the midst of a blockbuster season of musical talent, while also preparing for the upcoming seasons of the New York Rangers and New York Knicks. Shakira arrives later this month, Roger Waters plays the venue for two dates in October, and the Dave Matthews Band takes the stage in November. Ozzy Osbourne, Usher and Andrea Bocelli all appear in the month of December. MSG power scored a 2.09 this week.

Moving up one to take number five this week was the Boston Opera House. The venue’s run of Wicked, which once again lead this week’s Top Theater Events, Top Broadway Events and Top Combined Events rankings, ends on October 17. The Boston Opera House power scored a 1.81 this week.

Also up one this week to number six, was the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The venue was the focus of much attention this week as it opened the seasons of both the New York Giants and New York Jets for the first time in their new digs. The New Meadowlands Stadium power scored a 1.49.

Showing staying power this week was number seven’s Lambeau Field, up two from last week. Power scoring a 1.34, the field is home to the Green Bay Packers, whose solid ticket sales this week took them to number three in Top Sports.

The Gershwin Theatre held steady this week in the number eight spot, power scoring a 1.31. Despite spending an unusual amount of time in the lower half of the top ten in recent weeks, the venue still performs well on continued strong sales for its long running production of “Wicked”, which continues to top a million dollars per week in ticket sales.

Back in the top ten for the first time since July was Heinz Field, home to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The venue also sees collegiate play as home field for the NCAA’s Pittsburgh Panthers football team. On January 1, 2011, the Field will host the NHL’s Winter Classic to be played between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. Heinz Field finished the week with a power score of 1.26.

Closing out the list this week at number ten was American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL. Power scoring a 1.22, the Arena hosts a number of top artists in the coming weeks, including Marc Anthony this weekend and Shakira at the end of September. Justin Bieber and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra take the stage in December. The Arena also is home to the NBA’s Miami Heat, who will present LeBron James’ long awaited debut in October when preseason play begins.

As NFL season made its official start this week, there were surprisingly few football venues making the top ten, though play at the U.S. Open did push all other venues down the list this week. The Gershwin was joined by the Boston Opera House for a total of two 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.

Top Venues

Week Ending 9/12/2010