When planning a concert tour, major artists often hit the biggest cities in the U.S.—but not every metropolis makes the cut. While some fans are lucky enough to have their favorite acts roll through town, others are left wondering why their city got skipped.
To find out which cities were overlooked the most, we analyzed 64 major tours from leading performers between 2023 and 2025. By comparing tour stops with the largest metropolitan areas, we identified which cities were consistently included and which ones missed out on the fun.
Key Findings
Our analysis uncovered several surprising trends about which U.S. cities are most and least likely to appear on major tour schedules:
- Tucson, AZ was skipped entirely by major tours among cities with populations over 500,000.
- Fort Worth, TX appeared on just 2% of tours, while El Paso, TX, Albuquerque, NM, and Fresno, CA were included in only 3% of all tours analyzed.
- Los Angeles, CA was the least skipped city, making it onto 83% of tour schedules.
- Of the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), 24 cities—including Honolulu, HI, Richmond, VA, and Rochester, NY—were skipped entirely.
- For cities with populations under 500,000, Minneapolis, MN was the most visited, included in 55% of tours.
- Among cities with populations under 200,000, Hershey, PA stood out as the most popular, appearing on 16% of tours.
The U.S. Cities That Are The Most and Least Skipped on Major Tours
When it comes to major concert tours, not all big cities get equal love. Some metro areas are near-guaranteed stops, while others seem to get passed by year after year. Here’s a closer look at the most and least skipped cities among those with populations over 500,000—and why these trends might occur.
Most Skipped Cities
The following cities ranked as the top 10 most overlooked on major tours:
- Tucson, AZ – 0% of tours
- Fort Worth, TX – 2% of tours
- El Paso, TX – 3% of tours
- Albuquerque, NM – 3% of tours
- Fresno, CA – 3% of tours
- Jacksonville, FL – 9% of tours
- Memphis, TN – 9% of tours
- Oklahoma City, OK – 13% of tours
- Louisville, KY – 13% of tours
- San Jose, CA – 16% of tours
Cities like Tucson, AZ, and Fort Worth, TX, likely face challenges due to their proximity to larger, more prominent tour destinations. Tucson, for example, is overshadowed by nearby Phoenix, while Fort Worth competes with Dallas. Similarly, cities such as El Paso, TX, and Albuquerque, NM, may struggle to attract big acts due to their smaller entertainment markets and more isolated locations in the Southwest.
Least Skipped Cities
On the flip side, some cities are staples on nearly every major tour:
- Los Angeles, CA – 83% of tours
- Boston, MA – 72% of tours
- Philadelphia, PA – 69% of tours
- Chicago, IL – 69% of tours
- New York, NY – 69% of tours
- Atlanta, GA – 67% of tours
- Denver, CO – 63% of tours
- Detroit, MI – 61% of tours
- Seattle, WA – 61% of tours
- Phoenix, AZ – 61% of tours
It’s no surprise that Los Angeles, CA, topped the list of least skipped cities, given its status as a global entertainment hub and home to countless venues, from intimate clubs to massive arenas. Similarly, cities like New York, NY, Chicago, IL, and Atlanta, GA, benefit from their central roles in regional and national entertainment scenes, ensuring a steady stream of fans and revenue for touring artists.
Regional Trends:
One noticeable pattern is that the most skipped cities often fall within the South and Southwest regions of the U.S., whereas the least skipped cities tend to cluster in major coastal or Midwestern hubs. This could be due to factors like population density, proximity to other major cities, or the presence of larger, more established venues. The data suggests that location plays a significant role in whether a city becomes a concert destination or remains a stop artists simply pass by.
Major Cities Missing Out on the Music Entirely
Some of the largest U.S. cities are notably absent from major tour schedules. Among the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), the following cities were skipped entirely, appearing on none of the 64 tours we analyzed:
- Augusta, GA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Dayton, OH
- Durham, NC
- Fort Myers, FL
- Harrisburg, PA
- Honolulu, HI
- Jackson, MS
- Lakeland, FL
- McAllen, TX
- New Haven, CT
- Ogden, UT
- Palm Bay, FL
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Provo, UT
- Richmond, VA
- Rochester, NY
- Sarasota, FL
- Scranton, PA
- Springfield, MA
- Stockton, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Worcester, MA
Why Are These Cities Skipped?
Many of these cities, while significant metropolitan areas in their own right, may face challenges in attracting major concert tours due to competition from larger cities nearby or other logistical factors. For example, Tucson, AZ, and Bakersfield, CA, are close to larger, high-traffic markets like Phoenix or Los Angeles, where tours are more likely to schedule stops. Similarly, cities like Honolulu, HI, may be excluded because of logistical complexities and the higher cost of travel for artists. For some of the cities on the list—such as Augusta, GA, and Jackson, MS—venue sizes may be a limiting factor, as smaller or fewer arenas make it harder to meet the revenue goals of large-scale tours. Additionally, while cities like Durham, NC, and Richmond, VA, are vibrant cultural hubs, they may be bypassed in favor of larger venues in nearby cities like Raleigh or Washington, D.C., which offer greater capacity and proximity to larger audiences. These factors, combined with tour-specific strategies, often determine why some MSAs are skipped despite their size and significance.
Smaller Cities that Tend to Be Included in the Audience
While many major cities struggle to secure spots on major tour schedules, some smaller cities consistently punch above their weight, making it onto the itinerary of leading performers. Here’s a look at the smaller cities with populations under 500,000 and 200,000 that were most frequently included in our analysis of 64 tours.
Cities With Populations Under 500,000
The following mid-size cities managed to stand out, appearing on the highest percentage of tours:
- Minneapolis, MN – 55%
- Miami, FL – 44%
- Tampa, FL – 41%
- St. Louis, MO – 39%
- Pittsburgh, PA – 38%
- Orlando, FL – 34%
- Raleigh, NC – 33%
- Salt Lake City, UT – 30%
- Cleveland, OH – 27%
- New Orleans, LA – 25%
Cities With Populations Under 200,000
Even smaller cities managed to hold their own in the tour circuit:
- Hershey, PA – 16%
- Grand Rapids, MI – 9%
- Hartford, CT – 9%
- Knoxville, TN – 8%
- Charleston, SC – 6%
- Syracuse, NY – 6%
- Greenville, SC – 6%
- State College, PA – 6%
- Bristow, VA – 6%
- Bridgeport, CT – 5%
What Sets These Cities Apart?
Smaller cities that consistently make it onto tour schedules often have unique factors that set them apart and make them attractive stops for major performers. For instance, Minneapolis, MN, and Salt Lake City, UT, serve as major regional hubs in areas with fewer competing large markets, drawing audiences from surrounding states and metro areas. Cities like Miami, FL, Orlando, FL, and New Orleans, LA benefit from their reputation as tourism and entertainment destinations, with a constant influx of visitors who often include live performances in their travel plans.
In addition, some cities have standout venues that appeal to artists and fans alike. For example, Hershey, PA, boasts Hersheypark Stadium, a well-known venue that offers performers a unique backdrop and the chance to connect with fans outside larger metropolitan areas. Cities like Raleigh, NC, and Bristow, VA, feature large outdoor venues such as Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek and Jiffy Lube Live, which accommodate around 20,000 fans. These outdoor venues, particularly popular during summer tours, combine scale and atmosphere to make them compelling stops on major tour itineraries.
Meanwhile, cities like Grand Rapids, MI, and Knoxville, TN, often host concerts in mid-size arenas that are easier to sell out compared to larger venues in nearby cities. These factors—strategic location, tourism-driven demand, and distinctive or accessible venues—help smaller cities secure spots on major tour itineraries despite their comparatively smaller populations.
Regional Patterns
One clear trend is the prominence of cities in the Southeast and Midwest, with states like Florida, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina represented in both population brackets. These areas often offer a mix of accessibility, strong fan bases, and lower competition from nearby cities, making them attractive stops for artists looking to expand their reach.
Closing Thoughts
This analysis reveals an interesting snapshot of how major artists prioritize their tour stops, highlighting cities that consistently make the list and those that often miss out. From regional hubs like Los Angeles, CA, to smaller standout cities like Hershey, PA, the data shows that factors like location, accessibility, and unique venues can influence tour schedules.
While not every city can host a major concert, entertainment should be accessible to everyone. Whether you’re catching a live show in your hometown or looking for excitement from the comfort of home, BetMGM ensures entertainment is always within reach. With thrilling online casino games and real-money slots, BetMGM Casino brings the fun straight to you.
Methodology
To identify which major U.S. cities are most likely to be skipped on national music tours, we analyzed data from 64 prominent tours featuring major artists who performed in the U.S. between 2023 and 2025. Our analysis focused on cities within the top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) as well as other cities recognized for their significance in the music scene.
We tallied the number of times each city appeared as a stop on these tours. Cities were then ranked based on their likelihood of being included or excluded from tours. Additionally, we spotlighted smaller cities outside the largest MSAs to determine which ones hosted the most concerts.
