The collapse of Ticketmaster on November 15 caused more than one swiftie to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The pre-sale of The Eras Tour caused long waits and failures everywhere. As if that wasn’t enough, the disaster was such that even the U.S. Senate initiated an investigation against Ticketmaster.
Five months later, The Eras tour has finally arrived in Tampa. As part of what will be Swift’s only stop in Florida, the artist will perform Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. As you might expect, Taylor Swift will perform songs from her latest album, Midnights, along with her greatest hits, a repertoire that will reach 44 songs (or in other words, three hours of concert time). If you want to be well prepared to enjoy the evening, here’s everything you should know before arriving at the concert.
Ticket cost
That Taylor Swift is one of the most popular and sought-after artists is something we all know. Ticketmaster no longer has any tickets for sale, so you will have to resort to resale portals if you want to get your hands on one. However, you should be aware that they are not cheap at all: some of them can reach up to $500 on Seatgeek.
Who are the opening acts?
In this case, fans will enjoy alternative artists Beabadoobee and GAYLE on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday we will have Beabadoobee again but together with singer Gracie Adams.
Where can we buy the merchandising?
If you’re a true swiftie, you can’t miss the merchandise booths. The official truck of The Eras Tour will be open from 3 PM the three days of the concert and you can find it at Ford Gate, Gate B and South Plaza. Access is public, so you will be able to buy whatever you want without needing a concert ticket.
However, be aware that you will have to wait in long lines to buy. On other occasions, there have been long queues that have lasted up to hours. So if you want to buy your merchand, remember to arrive in good time.
While some items are available online, others will be exclusive to purchase there. The cheapest item you’ll find is a glow stick priced at $15.
Transportation
The best advice we can give you is not to drive to the stadium, as you will not be able to reserve parking of any kind. However, the stadium does offer parking spaces on a first-come, first-served basis (with a price to be decided depending on the event).
If you don’t want to experience waits and traffic jams, get there as early as possible. The Tampa Sports Authority has already announced that McEwen Boulevard will close between Dale Mabry Highway and Himes Avenue from noon until 8 a.m. Sunday.
What can you take with you?
All attendees should avoid carrying backpacks or any bags larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Students should leave larger items in their vehicles if this is the case. And if you don’t have that option, don’t worry: you’ll find lockers on Tom McEwen Boulevard, just south of Gate C. Locker rentals will cost $10.75 for the entire night.
And don’t bring any cash: everything you buy at the stadium must be through credit or debit cards. You will also not be allowed to bring cameras larger than 30 centimeters and it is also forbidden to bring any of these items into the concert: camera bags, camcorders or GoPros, selfie sticks, tripods, aerosols, food, drinks and vapes.
On the other hand, here’s what you CAN bring: sunscreen, binoculars, blankets, towels, ponchos, banners and flags (as long as they are no larger than 11″ x 17″). If you need to bring a medical bag or diapers, you must fill out a special needs form 72 hours before the day of the concert.
The last and most important thing to keep in mind is to enjoy yourself. We hope that with these tips, your evening will be much more enjoyable and fun.
