Average show prices rise, but discounts easy to find

Continuing a trend that has prevailed for 19 of the past 24 years, the average price of a Las Vegas production-show ticket costs more this year than last, and is now at an all-time high. After tallying ticket prices from 89 shows, this year’s average comes in at $85.20, $2.34 more than last year. The most expensive is $310.86 for the top (VIP) ticket to Donny & Marie at the Flamingo. The least expensive is $25.50 for Mike Hammer Comedy Magic at the Four Queens. Amazingly more than half the shows (45) have at least one ticket option above $100.

Big guys hold firm: Typically, it’s price increases for the biggest shows that push up the average. This year, however, it’s the middle-market shows that are to blame, with price hikes in the $10 range coming in for several productions. But the good news is the “A” shows have held the line on prices, with no increases sustained for Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, Donny & Marie, Human Nature, Jersey Boys, Jubilee!, Le Reve, LOVE, Million Dollar Quartet, Mystere, Penn & Teller, Terry Fator, Vegas! the Show, Zarkana and Zumanity. Michael Jackson-ONE tickets actually went down $3 and tickets for Criss Angel dropped $7.

The good news: Most shows these days are priced high to discount. Especially the B-level shows, so most of this year’s increases really carry only about a 50 percent effect. If you look around, you should almost never have to pay the rack price for show tickets. Good hunting grounds are the half-price ticket booths on the Strip, coupons in freebie magazines, and discount codes available from Las Vegas websites, including LasVegasAdvisor.com, which also conducted the survey.

Question: What’s the story on the $1 million bet on the NCAA basketball-tournament?
Answer: The owner of downtown’s D and Golden Gate made a $20,000 bet at 50-1 odds that Michigan State would win it all. He made it at the beginning of the season when the team was just 5-3 and if MSU can win two more games, he’ll earn a $1 million payday.

For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and good deals, go to LasVegasAdvisor.com.