You’d think after a groundbreaking album and a Grammy sweep, Beyoncé would be selling out stadiums in minutes.
But surprisingly, that’s not what’s happening with her latest Cowboy Carter tour—and fans are scratching their heads over why so many seats are still empty just hours before showtime.
The 43-year-old icon kicked off her 32-city tour at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium this week, marking the official live debut of her country-era reinvention.
With shows lined up across the U.S. and Europe and a final stop planned for Las Vegas on July 26, anticipation was sky-high.
Yet, thousands of tickets remained unsold right up until the opening night.
Rows of Empty Seats Raise Eyebrows on Opening Night
According to Ticketmaster’s seat maps, there were over 3,000 seats still available just days before the first concert.
Even minutes before Beyoncé hit the stage, large sections of the stadium were empty.
An insider speaking to DailyMail.com blamed resellers for scooping up large batches of tickets and inflating prices to the point that fans simply couldn’t justify the cost.
The same source claimed Beyoncé and Jay-Z were staying optimistic, hoping fans would jump on more reasonably priced resale tickets as the show dates draw closer.
Last-Minute Discounts and Fans Snagging Bargain Tickets
In fact, it’s already happening. Some fans have managed to grab resale tickets for as low as $20, especially in the nosebleed sections.
One fan even joked that Beyoncé’s concert was now cheaper than McDonald’s new Minecraft-themed Big Mac meal, which costs a little over $21.
“Due to its low demand, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour tickets are now cheaper than a McDonald’s meal,” one user quipped online.
Others chimed in with similar finds, reporting prices like $27 and $37, still a far cry from the hundreds or even thousands initially advertised.
Fans Are Divided Over Whether This Is a “Flop” or a Win
Reactions have been mixed. Some fans celebrated the discount, calling it karma for the original sky-high prices.
Others called the situation a “flop,” questioning how the Queen Bee could be playing to half-full stadiums after such a successful album release.
Meanwhile, some ticket holders revealed their floor seats were moved due to obstructed views—though many questioned whether the change was really about the stage design or just an effort to fill up better sections due to lower turnout.
Promoter Says Most of the Tour Is Actually Nearly Sold Out
Despite all the talk online, Beyoncé’s team insists the numbers aren’t as bad as they seem.
Live Nation, the promoter behind Cowboy Carter, released a statement saying the tour is actually 94 percent sold out across all dates.
That stat has helped quiet some of the “flop” chatter, but questions about ticket pricing and reseller interference still linger.
Is the Diddy Controversy Casting a Shadow Over the Tour?
Some people close to Beyoncé are starting to wonder if there’s another factor at play.
Her husband Jay-Z was briefly caught up in the legal firestorm surrounding Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who’s currently awaiting trial on serious charges including sex trafficking.
Although a lawsuit that once accused Jay-Z of assaulting a minor alongside Diddy was quickly dismissed, the couple’s association with the embattled music mogul might still be influencing public perception—especially among more casual fans.
According to a source, “Beyoncé isn’t worried about her true fans not showing up, but those close to her believe the Diddy connection may have made some people think twice.”
Beyoncé’s Career Is Still Soaring Despite the Ticket Talk
Whatever the turnout on night one, there’s no denying Beyoncé is still riding high from her Cowboy Carter album success.
Not only did the project debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, but the lead single “Texas Hold ’Em” topped both the Hot 100 and Country charts.
She made history as the first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the Grammys, and she finally took home the coveted Album of the Year award—something fans had long been rooting for.
Let’s not forget, her previous Renaissance World Tour earned a massive $579 million, making it one of the top 10 highest-grossing tours in music history.
What’s Next for Cowboy Carter?
So, is Beyoncé really struggling to fill seats, or is this just a case of bad optics amplified by social media and inflated resale prices?
One thing’s for sure—she’s still one of the biggest forces in music, and even with a few bumps in the road, the Cowboy Carter era isn’t riding off into the sunset just yet.