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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barack Obama charging twice as much as Beyoncé for top VIP package at London show
Barack Obama is giving Beyoncé a run for her money by charging more than double her top VIP ticket price for his upcoming London show, with packages going up to £1,790. The 44th president of the United States faced a number of challenges while in office, from steering the country through the 2008 financial crisis and passing healthcare reform, to managing ongoing wars and tackling climate change. He remains a hugely popular figure worldwide, with many eager to hear his take on today's issues, and judging by the prices, his fans are willing to pay. Titled An Evening With President Barack Obama, it is scheduled to take place at London's O2 Arena on September 24, followed by a date at Dublin's 3Arena on September 26. The top VIP package includes a photo opportunity with Obama, subject to security clearance, and is limited to one photo for every two guests. The Standard has confirmed that these tickets will only be sold in pairs, so solo attendees won't have the option to purchase this package or be paired with strangers for the photo. The package also offers early entry, VIP check-in, a commemorative ticket, a copy of his memoir A Promised Land, premium seats near the front, and post-show access to a private club with a bar and live music. In comparison, global superstar Beyoncé's top VIP tickets for her recent Cowboy Carter tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium cost around £860. Those included premium seats, early entry, exclusive merchandise, and access to private lounges. Beyoncé and Obama share history, with the singer performing the National Anthem at his second inauguration in 2013. Another VIP option offered by Obama is a £895 dining package that comes with a four-course meal at posh steakhouse Gaucho. This also includes a welcome glass of champagne, seating within the first ten rows, a copy of his book, and post-show access to the Seat Unique Club with a private bar and live entertainment. Other VIP prices start at £595, with standard tickets expected to be cheaper but likely to sell out fast. They go on sale at 10am on July 10. Organisers have also said that 100 tickets in each city will be set aside for charities. While Obama's shows are expected to fill up quickly, Beyoncé reportedly quietly gave away free tickets through London food banks after failing to sell out her six-date run in the capital.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Pricing outrage as Obama Dublin 'cheap seats' sell out in seconds
Hope disappeared for plenty of Barack Obama fans after standard-priced tickets for his September appearance in Dublin were gone within seconds on Thursday morning. And those who snapped up seats for the event on September 26 won't have much change left, with tickets costing upwards of €130. The event is called An Evening With President Barack Obama and will see the two-time US president in conversation with journalist Fintan O'Toole. Barack Obama holding a hurley as he shares a laugh with Enda Kenny on his visit to Ireland in 2011. Pic: Maxwells/Pool/AFP via Getty Images General sale began on Thursday at 10am and, after waiting in Ticketmaster's digital queue, many people were shocked to see the standard tickets, which were priced from €25-€30, were already gone. Many were disappointed given that Ticketmaster had claimed tickets would be available from €25-€30, yet after queueing for a few minutes, they were able to purchase only higher-tier tickets, all priced upwards of €130. Barack Obama enjoying a pint of Guinness at a pub in Moneygall in Co Offaly in 2011. Pic: Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images The cheapest tickets to the event currently available on the Ticketmaster website are priced at €143.75. These tickets will only gain you access to the very back of the arena. To sit in the front section, just rows away from the former US president, you could expect to pay €368.75. There is also an option for those who wish to be even closer to Obama – a VIP ticket which promises a photo opportunity, premium seating, a champagne reception and a signed copy of his new book, A Promised Land. These tickets will set purchasers back over €2,000. This marks yet another controversy for online ticket manager Ticketmaster after tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras tour sold out in seconds in June 2024, and Oasis superfans faced very high prices for the band's reunion gig in Croke Park next month. Former US president Barack Obama. Pic:Ticketmaster told that lower-price tickets tend to sell first. The event will see Mr Obama discuss his two terms as president and the future of America. A similar event is due to take place in London's O2 arena. Although it is unclear how much the former president is making from the events, it marks another lucrative media deal for him after he signed a multi-year deal to produce content for Netflix in 2018.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Want to get a photo with Obama in Dublin? It'll cost you over €2,000
Members of the Irish public may be able to meet former US President Barack Obama — for over €2,000. The former US President will be interviewed at the 3Arena in Dublin this September, where he will speak with journalist Fintan O'Toole about his time in office, as well as the future of America. While tickets start at the reasonable €25, there are the more 'lucrative' options for some people who may have a bit of extra to splash on such an event; including a 'photo VIP package' which is expected to cost around €2,035. Members of the Irish public may be able to meet former US President Barack Obama — for over €2,000. Pic:The ticket includes a designated VIP check in and early access (natch for VIP tickets), but some people who are superfans of Mr Obama may have their interest piqued once they find that they will receive a photo opportunity with the 44th President. Those who choose this option will need to go through security clearance, and there will be one photo per two guests, with those who buy these tickets also receiving a copy of his latest memoir, A Promised Land. You will also receive a commemorative ticket, guaranteed premium seating, and a champagne reception. President Obama will be in Dublin this September for a sit-down interview with Fintan O'Toole. Pic:The former law school lecturer turned senator made history in 2008 when he was elected the first black President of the United States, defeating John McCain in the 2008 election. He served two terms, wrapping up in 2017 when he was succeeded by Donald Trump. Now 63, the father of two will sit down with Fintan O'Toole to talk about his time in office as well as the future of America. Fane, Kilimanjaro and Singular Artists are producing the show, which will see him also sit down for an interview in London's O2 arena on September 24. People can pay €2,000 for a photo opportunity with President Obama. Pic:An Evening With President Barack Obama will take place on Friday, September 26 in Dublin's 3Arena, with tickets going on sale at 10am on Thursday (July 10).
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Barack Obama charging Irish fans €2k for photo op at Dublin gig as distant cousin says ‘It'll be great to have him back'
BARACK Obama fans must shell out €2,000 if they want a photo taken with him at an upcoming Dublin gig. 2 Former US President Barack Obama is giving a talk in the capital later this year Credit: Getty While the most affordable tickets for the event cost just €25, anyone hoping to see Obama close-up will be asked to cough up top dollar. And this includes his Irish cousin, Henry Healy, who's set his sights on buying a prime seat for the night. But those who buy the Photo VIP Package — which includes a copy of President Obama's book A Promised Land and premium seating — aren't guaranteed a snap with the leader, as 'participation is contingent upon security clearance'. Those who purchase the Photo VIP Package, which also includes a copy of President Obama's book, A Promised Land and premium seating, aren't guaranteed a picture with the historical leader as 'participation is contingent upon security clearance'. Read more in Money VIP tickets for the event, which start at €689 each and go up to an eye-watering €2,079, offer a rare chance to hear directly from 'one of the most transformational leaders of our time', organisers say. Obama's eighth cousin Henry, from Moneygall, Co Offaly, said he hopes to get an invite to the event — before forking out for a ticket. Speaking to the Irish Sun he said: 'I haven't been invited yet but I would love to go and will more than likely attend. 'It will be great to have him back on Irish soil and it will be interesting to hear his first-hand account of his time in office again. Most read in Money 'I don't have any expectations to receive anything for free because all throughout his presidency we had to pay our own way over and back to see him in 'LASTING IMPRESSION' Organisers have described An Evening with President Barack Obama live conversations as 'thoughtful, articulate and engaging." He continued: 'He speaks with clarity, humour, and empathy, often weaving personal anecdotes with broader ideas. 'His speeches often emphasis unity, hope, and progress. 'With strong pacing, empathy, and emotional resonance, he connects deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impression through substance and style.' Other hospitality packages for the event include a Premium Ticket which includes a pre-event Champagne reception at The Gibson For €1,094 you can get a dining package which also includes a three-course-meal at the Gibson Hotel and guaranteed premium seating for the event in the first eight rows. Tickets are on sale via and 2 Obama's eighth cousin Henry Healy, from Moneygall, Co Offaly, said he hopes to get an invite to the event Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
The Herald Scotland
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Michelle Obama on parenting: 'Glad I didn't have a boy'
Martinez suggested that Obama and her "A Promised Land" author husband "should've thrown a boy in the mix." But Obama said she's "glad" because "he would've been a Barack Obama!" jokingly shading the former president's strong personality and suggesting that a son would have been challenging. Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyonce in these 10 bingeable memoirs When Martinez said that a "baby Barack" would have been "amazing," the forthcoming "Look" book author explained to the "IRL" podcast host that she "would've felt for him." Robinson -- a father of one daughter Leslie and three sons Avery, Austin and Aaron -- added to the conversation by quipping that his sister "borrowed our boys." Michelle Obama previously broke silence on daughter's name change Earlier this month, Obama made headlines when she broke her silence on eldest daughter Malia Ann's decision to drop her last name. Malia Ann, who is pursuing a film career in Hollywood, used her middle name as her artistic name for the credits of 2023 short film "The Heart" which she wrote and directed, that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. "Our daughters (Malia and Sasha) are 25 and 23. They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away. ... They're still doing that," Obama told famous siblings Oliver and Kate Hudson on their "Sibling Revelry" podcast. The "Becoming" author added that "it is very important for my kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world, and they don't want people to assume that they don't work hard, that they're just naturally, just handed things. They're very sensitive to that - they want to be their own people."
