Entertainment · Music · 55 mins ago
Rising costs and changing careers reshape pop tour opening acts
Ariana Grande, Rosalía and Lady Gaga toured without opening acts in the past year, even as some major pop artists continued to book support acts.
Higher touring costs are changing the calculations for artists and agents deciding whether to add an opener.
Support acts can add costs that reduce a headliner’s profit, while elaborate arena productions can make it harder to fit another act into the show.
Agents also face greater uncertainty about tour budgets, with expenses such as travel, food and hotels difficult to predict far in advance.
Some new artists rise quickly through social media and may choose to headline rather than commit to a support slot.
The value of opening slots is shifting, but no specific changes or next steps for future tours are given.
Some major pop stars, including Ariana Grande, Rosalía and Lady Gaga, have completed arena tours without opening acts.
Rising touring costs, shorter paths to fame and competition for fans’ attention are changing how support slots are booked.
Agents say uncertainty about future costs and an artist’s career prospects can make it harder to commit to an opening slot far in advance.
Some newer acts now choose to headline rather than play support.
- Who
- Pop headliners, their agents and support acts are affected.
- What
- Rising costs and changes in how artists develop are reshaping whether opening acts are booked for pop tours.
- When
- The article was published Nov. 9, 2026, and describes changes in the current touring market.
- Where
- Arena tours and the wider live music industry. Specific locations are not stated.
- Why
- Touring costs are rising, fans’ attention is harder to hold, and some newer artists develop quickly or prefer to headline.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nina Swint says she most often used a package-focused approach, pitching tours with an opener and budget locked.
Swint says booking requires more guesstimating, with negotiations often taking place after a tour is confirmed.
- Recent tours
- Ariana Grande, Rosalía and Lady Gaga completed arena tours without opening acts in the past 12 months.
- Touring costs
- Gas, food and hotel stays are becoming more expensive.
- Booking uncertainty
- Agents may plan tour budgets more than a year in advance.
- Industry group
- Nathaniel Marro is executive director of the National Independent Talent Organization.
- Published
- Nov. 9, 2026
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