Will Taylor Swift’s KC shows break attendance records? What Arrowhead’s past tells us

Taylor Swift is a little less than three weeks away from filling up GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for two nights of concerts on July 7 and 8.

The last time Swift performed in Kansas City, 58,611 Swifties packed Arrowhead Stadium for her “Reputation” tour in 2018.

Since the stage setup for the Eras tour will block the eastern section of the stadium, it’s unknown exactly how many people will fit inside the stadium for each of the nights. Stadium representatives confirmed that over 55,000 seats were sold for each of Swift’s dates next month.

How does this compare to past concerts at Arrowhead Stadium? Take a look at some of the biggest shows Kansas City’s seen.

WHAT IS ARROWHEAD’S CAPACITY RECORD?

The most people Arrowhead Stadium hosted for a single event was the first-ever game the Chiefs won at the stadium. The Chiefs defeated the then-Oakland Raiders 27-14 to a crowd of 82,094 people on Nov. 5, 1972.

For a non-sporting event, Garth Brooks owns the record. His sold-out show on Aug. 4, 2021 hosted over 78,000 guests. His show used in-the-round seating, meaning every seat used for Chiefs’ game days was available, along with seats on the field level.

Brooks also broke the attendance record Swift set in 2018.

The stadium’s capacity is 76,416 for Chiefs’ games. The number of seats are expected to drop when renovations start in 2025 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fewer than 10,000 seats will be removed so the stadium can fit FIFA regulations.

While it doesn’t hold any attendance records, Michael Jackson’s three shows from July 6-8, 1984 at Arrowhead Stadium for Jackson and his brothers’ “Victory” tour is the biggest pop culture event Kansas City’s ever seen.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO OTHER ERAS TOUR SHOWS?

Swift’s show on June 17 at Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh broke the all-time attendance record at the stadium with 73,117 attendees. The stadium has a capacity of 68,400 seats for Steelers games, which could hint at how many people will be in the stadium for Swift’s shows in Kansas City.

Elsewhere, her three shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, drew 217,625 fans over three nights from May 26-28. Her first show of the tour at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (where the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII) on March 17 had 69,213 fans.

Attendance for her first show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas was 69,616, and officials expect Swift played in front of 210,000 fans over her three shows from March 31 to April 2.

More than 70,000 people attended each night of her shows at Nissan Stadium in Nashville from May 6-7.

This doesn’t take into account the thousands of Swift fans who listen to the concert from outside the stadiums.

The Star’s Dan Kelly contributed reporting.