Not as defunct as we were led to believe....

[Thenop]

There'll be another live album of course, and a BluRay.

It just dawned on me: meet and greets, entry to the hallowed halls, soundchecks, early entry fees, photo ops, side stage views. All at premium upon premium upon premium.

Kiss has called it day, people need to spend that surplus bult up somehow, why not us they might have thought.
Next stop: Avatars and holograms.

What a time to be alive.

[The Picnic Wasp]

There'll be another live album of course, and a BluRay.

It just dawned on me: meet and greets, entry to the hallowed halls, soundchecks, early entry fees, photo ops, side stage views. All at premium upon premium upon premium.

Kiss has called it day, people need to spend that surplus bult up somehow, why not us they might have thought.
Next stop: Avatars and holograms.

What a time to be alive.

And it's all Paul McCartney's fault.

[Nick]

Quite a risk this model. High prices plus reliance on people having to travel and stay at the selected locations. There can only be a finite amount of Rush fans in Fort Worth, once they have been, then the stadiums need to be filled with "out of towners". It's not quite the same as say a Vegas stint.

[Slim]

The following post has got a lot of likes on r/rush:

Good for Geddy and Alex to get back out and they can charge what they want but there is a point at which I feel like I being taken advantage of and that point has been reached. Not paying 300 plus for nosebleeds or 650-2500 for the good seats dressed up as something special because you get a few trinkets and early access to the merch booth. Maybe the logic is to price tickets at a level that scalpers are anticipated to sell at so the band gets the money. IDK, but it looks like a greedy cash grab for a couple guys that have plenty of money during a down economy. Huge turn off for my favorite band.

I used an inflation calculator to work out what my first Rush ticket cost in 2025 terms. About £11.50 (it was £2 in 1977 money).

[Thenop]

To have some perspective, I asked Perplexity to do some comparing for me. Just to ake sure I am not feeling it is an expensive endeavour, but also have some figures to back that up. I first asked to compare this to the last tier of the Kiss End of the Road tour, Kiss being a band that practically invented the ticket pricing / VIP thing:

The average ticket prices for Rush concerts in the USA and Canada in 2025/2026 are slightly higher at the entry level than those for Kiss during their 2023 US tour, especially at the lower end. VIP packages for both bands are expensive, but Rush offers multiple tiers with a broad price range that is comparable to Kiss, with the very top Rush packages sometimes even more expensive.
Average Entry-Level Ticket Prices

    Rush 2026:

        Tickets often start around $149-$164 in the cheapest sections.

        The average lowest price per show is between $150 and $224. In major cities such as New York (Madison Square Garden), this is around $275-$293.

        Note: Service fees and facility charges can increase the total.

Kiss 2023:

    Tickets on the Farewell Tour in the US sometimes started at $35 to $98 in promotions.

    The average price was usually between $160 and $300 for standard tickets.

    Front-row tickets went up to $1,000 per piece at large arenas, with average top prices between $997–$1,000 for premium spots.

Band    Average Entry Price    Top Regular Ticket Price
Rush    $149–$224            $275–$293
Kiss    $35–$160            $997–$1,000
VIP Packages Compared

    Rush VIP 2026:

        "Limelight" Front Row VIP: $3,500–$5,000 (front row, merchandise, privileges).

        "Closer to the Heart": $800–$1,250 (premium seat, meet & greet, extras).

        "Superconductor" VIP: $550–$850 (good seat, merchandise).

        "Stick It Out" VIP Fan: $350–$550 (next-best seat, merchandise).

        Top-tier (speculated): $4,500–$7,000 for the ultimate experience.

Some packages also include hotel accommodation and extra perks around $1,000.

Kiss VIP 2023:

    Front Row Meet & Greet: $3,720 (premium ticket, meet, photo).

    Gold Meet & Greet: $3,255.

    Silver Meet & Greet: $2,790.

    Front Row Ticket Package: $2,325 (no meet & greet).

    "End of the Road Ticket Package": $1,163 (premium ticket, merchandise).

    Regular VIP package: from $419.

VIP Package            Rush 2026 [USD range]    Kiss 2023 [USD range]
Top-tier/Front-row    $3,500–$7,000          $3,255–$3,720
Premium/Meet & Greet    $800–$1,250          $1,163–$2,790
Standard VIP/Fan    $350–$850          from $419
In Summary

    Rush offers regular tickets that are somewhat more expensive at the entry level than Kiss, but premium spots and VIP experiences are comparably priced.

    Rush's VIP packages have a broader range because there are more different tiers; the absolute ultra-VIP experiences can be even more expensive than with Kiss.

For both bands, the front-row experience and meet & greets come with a hefty price tag, rising to several thousand dollars.

This clearly shows that on their comeback tour, Rush has set their prices firmly, comparable to, and sometimes higher than, those of Kiss during their US Farewell Tour. This is true for both regular tickets and the exclusive VIP experiences.

Then I asked:
And if we compare the Rush tickets to similar touring artists that are either currently touring, or have a tour planned in d coming months / year?

Rush concert ticket prices are noticeably higher on average than many comparable classic rock and prog acts currently touring or scheduled for upcoming tours in North America. Here's how Rush tickets compare to Genesis, Iron Maiden, and Foo Fighters in 2025/2026:
Rush vs Genesis, Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters
Artist            Entry Ticket Price    Average Price                VIP/Floor Max Price
Rush            $149–$164          $150–$224                $275–$293, premium up to $2,500+
Genesis            $77                  $172–$260                Front row up to $350+; VIP higher
Iron Maiden    $55–$125 (UK/US).      $125–$210                Maxi VIP less common, up to ~$250
Foo Fighters    $27–$36 low          $113–$230 (venue dependent)  Prime seats rarely above $250

    Rush's regular tickets (lowest) start at $149–$164, while Genesis start at $77, Iron Maiden at $55–$125 (no dynamic pricing), and Foo Fighters sometimes as low as $27–$36, though average seats for those shows can climb above $100.

Rush's mid-tier and high-end regular tickets (good sections or near front) commonly exceed $275–$293, where Genesis and Maiden have typical top regular seats just over $200, with VIP tiers at Rush often going well beyond $2,000 for ultimate packages—much higher than most comparable acts.

Genesis and Foo Fighters rarely approach Rush's top VIP pricing; high-end experiences with Iron Maiden are available, but generally priced below Rush's exclusive "meet & greet" or "front row" packages.
Key Takeaways

    Among classic rock/prog acts, Rush's 2025–2026 prices are at the very top for regular tickets and VIP options.

Genesis is more affordable at entry, Iron Maiden focuses on fair pricing and avoids dynamic surge pricing, and Foo Fighters keep many entry prices low, though in-demand major city shows can get expensive.

Only mega-events or unique reunion tours (e.g., Oasis, U2, Taylor Swift) tend to exceed these Rush prices in North America, based on current 2025 listings.

Rush stands out as one of the priciest touring acts for classic/progressive rock fans, especially in major North American arenas

[captainkurtz]

People getting bent out of shape for anyone suggesting it's not Rush...I mean good luck to Geddy and Alex, it's absolutely their prerogative..but for me, it's not Rush.  It's Geddy and Alex with a guest drummer and potentially another keyboard player.  That's not Rush, to me.

Also - there's NO WAY Geddy's voice will have improved in the 11 years that have passed since R40. 

And yes, I will be doing UK shows if they come.

[Nickslikk2112]

I used an inflation calculator to work out what my first Rush ticket cost in 2025 terms. About £11.50 (it was £2 in 1977 money).

Well, Rush were gouging by 1979, Bingley Hall Tickets were £4.50 (£20 in today's money)

Looking round the internet it seems to me that Americans are quite willing to stump up these prices because "It's Rush innit" and anyone who moans about the pricing gets shouted down.

There's one bloke who keeps saying that ticket prices have to be this high, because it's only a limited run of dates and you have to think of the overheads. Overheads Schmoverheads.

Suppose you play a 15,000 seat Arena with an average ticket price of $200 that rakes in $3m. I'd say that's a good chunk of your overheads covered, bearing in mind that the fees charged on tickets are used to cover the venue's costs. I saw on one forum that someone had bought a disabled ticket for MSG which was back row in the nosebleeds: Ticket cost $168 ticket fees $95. Bonkers.

[The Picnic Wasp]

This isn't a new phenomenon. In the eighties I read a review (probably in Sounds) of a Rush gig. The hack described the band having a look of "we're gonna get our money out of you effers if it's the last thing we do".

 I think that's much the same sentiment for most touring bands. It's a slog fest and if someone is prepared to pay you more that they should why would you turn that down. Especially if it's the final? hurrah.

I'm still haunted by my front row far left Rush experience at the NEC, for the Snakes & Arrows tour. Towards the end of the interval Alex returned from the dressing room and stood a few feet from me talking to his tech. He looked utterly miserable. The tech looked as if he was talking him back onstage as he slung the Les Paul around his neck. The stair to the stage itself was more like a ladder and Lerxst hauled himself step by step to the top. He was there for about thirty seconds, concealed from the rest of the audience by cases and a curtain, awaiting his cue.

The moment arrived and he hit his note with total precision, his body jarred into an upright position and this huge painted on smile lit up his face. I was gutted! I admired his total professionalism but recognised in that moment what being a performance artist really means. It's all a sham, and it tainted my feelings about the band forever.

 I had the misfortune to win a meet & greet on the same tour. It really was fart in a spacesuit stuff and I found it excruciatingly bad. I've always had the inbuilt instinct to know when I'm not welcome, and that evening I wished I was somewhere, anywhere else. They say don't meet your heroes and that's great advice. My lasting memory of "talking" to Geddy was that he's probably hard of hearing, or he doesn't really get the Glasgow accent.

If I could turn back time would I prefer not to have met them or had that front row seat? Probably! I really am a miserable old sod, but I wanted it to always be magical. It's all fantasy. Except the music which is something of a miraculous, fleeting possibility that this universe flings up on rare occasions. Will I go to a UK concert if it happens? Absolutely yes! Stuff the price!

[pxr5]

If they come to the UK I will absolutely be going. I may drag the missus, son and his wife along too - I'll be taking out a mortgage to fund this of course. 

[The Picnic Wasp]

If they come to the UK I will absolutely be going. I may drag the missus, son and his wife along too - I'll be taking out a mortgage to fund this of course. 

Nah! Just secretly charge your car at a neighbour's outlet for a couple of years.😁

[The Picnic Wasp]

I hope they play Territories.

Also, I'd be surprised if Geddy doesn't use some AI vocal enhancements this time around. Effects are incredible now and almost undetectable.

[David L]

I hope they play Territories.

Also, I'd be surprised if Geddy doesn't use some AI vocal enhancements this time around. Effects are incredible now and almost undetectable.

Ha! Have you ever visited The Wings of Pegasus website?

[Matt2112]

I don't know what's more of a piss-take, the ghastly prices or the absolute ball-acher of the whole process of signing up for the pre-sale, getting into the "Waiting Room" half an hour before it starts, seeing that you're 12,638th in the "Queue" when you get in it etc etc.

[Nickslikk2112]

Also, I'd be surprised if Geddy doesn't use some AI vocal enhancements this time around. Effects are incredible now and almost undetectable.

And they are the DEATH of LIVE music/ 

[The Picnic Wasp]

Also, I'd be surprised if Geddy doesn't use some AI vocal enhancements this time around. Effects are incredible now and almost undetectable.

And they are the DEATH of LIVE music/ 

Ach, so what! I'm the same age now as those knacker's yard guys they used to give a luminous lollipop outside schools. I'm still a lager lout who loves heavy rock music and wears inappropriate clothing for my age, so Geddy singing in tune at £150 a pop doesn't seem such a big deal. A bigger deal for me is losing enough weight to get into the intended Caterham purchase. Sciatica, thyroid eye disease, atrial fibrillation, you guys are taking a hell of a beating.😁 oh, and the left foot sesamoids aren't doing too well either but mustn't grumble.