Free-Fee Fridays
Award-winning artists Creed, Billie Eilish, and Hozier are arriving in New Orleans this year, so don't miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see your favorite artist with Fee-Free Fridays.
Fee-Free Fridays, taking place every Friday in June, make attending must-see events more affordable by eliminating service fees. Rather than paying hundreds of dollars in fees on Ticketmaster or SeatGeek, pick up a ticket or five from the Caesars Superdome's Box Office on 1500 Poydras St. Although there are no service fees, remember that facility and credit card fees may still apply, depending on the event.
Fee-Free Fridays apply to three of New Orleans' premier event venues: Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Champion's Square.
A Breakdown of Online Ticket Fees
Have you ever scoured the internet to find the perfect concert tickets? All of a sudden, the price increases immediately after you add the tickets to your cart. This universal experience is the result of online service fees collected by the venue and ticket provider. The costs of service fees ultimately depend on the ticket provider and the type of ticket sold.
According to Ticketmaster, its service fees stem from the expenses of hosting an event. The profits are generally divided between the hosting venue and Ticketmaster itself. The venue's share contributes to its day-to-day operations as well as the salaries of local staff. Ticketmaster's profits help pay for the company's technology and customer support.
Resale tickets may include buying and selling fees that fluctuate based on the ticket's initial price, event location, and availability. Similar to Ticketmaster, ticket resellers such as StubHub and SeatGeek often agree on fee costs with venue owners and event promoters.
Luckily, Fee-Free Fridays eliminates the added costs of service fees and has the potential to save attendees hundreds in fees.
Events Coming to the Smoothie King Center
Die-hard rock enthusiasts can witness Creed's return to New Orleans on July 26. The performers of "My Own Prison" and "With Arms Wide Open" are stopping at the Smoothie King Center as part of their Summer of '99 Tour.
Hozier fans no longer need to fret because the Irish musician added a New Orleans stop to his 2025 "Unreal Unearth" Tour. See the "Too Sweet" singer and opener Gigi Perez on Sept. 23.
Thanks to the high demand for tickets, Louisiana rapper NBA Youngboy has decided to hold two concerts at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans' stops along the "MASA" Tour are on October 19 and 20.
Nine-time Grammy award winner Billie Eilish is spending two days at the Smoothie King Center in November to mark the release of Hit Me Hard and Soft. The album includes hits such as "WILDFLOWER" and "Birds of a Feather."
Not wanting to attend a concert? The Smoothie King Center will be home to the Monster Truck Jam from July 12 and 13, and, lastly, Cirque du Soleil: OVO will be at the Smoothie King Center from September 18 to 21.
Visit the Smoothie King Center's website for more information about upcoming events in the Big Easy. Take advantage of the Fee-Free Fridays and plan your next trip to the Smoothie King Center.
