Aug. 21--Is Chicago breaking up with One Direction?
The British band returns to Soldier Field on Sunday, but their popularity in the city may be waning compared to previous years. While One Direction sold out two shows last year at Soldier Field, tickets are still available for Sunday's show on Ticketmaster and at the box office Sunday morning, Soldier Field spokeswoman Liz Saah said.
Tickets are also selling for less in the secondary market versus last year, according to data from ticket search engine SeatGeek. The average resale price for a ticket to Sunday's show is $177, down from $187, the average resale price for a ticket to either of the Soldier Field shows in August 2014.
One Direction's two July 2013 shows at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park averaged $139 per ticket in the secondary market, according to SeatGeek.
For Sunday's show, the cheapest ticket on Ticketmaster Friday morning was $44.26, based on a Tribune search. The cheapest resale ticket Friday morning on SeatGeek was $51.
SeatGeek analyst Chris Leyden said median ticket prices recently dropped for Sunday's show on the secondary market, from $185 two weeks ago to $133 Thursday.
Perhaps the concert is not as big of a draw because One Direction band members have been spotted in various Chicago area locations this summer: They've been staying in the city during the midwest portion of their tour.
One Direction, which rose to popularity through social media after appearing on the British singing competition "The X Factor" in 2010, also has been undergoing some growing pains as singer Zayn Malik left the band in March.
Lakeview resident Danielle Thomas, who has run a One Direction Twitter fan account with her friend Lilianna Meyer for four years, said longtime One Direction fans seem to be outgrowing their passion for the band.
"People are getting older. Everyone's going to college," said Thomas, 19. "You realize you'll never know them, you'll never, like, be friends with them."
Soldier Field gates open Sunday at 5 p.m. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Swedish dance-pop duo Icona Pop are the opening act.
The designated parent pick-up area will be the South Parking Lot, off of 18th Street. Parents must be back on Museum Campus no later than 9:45 p.m. for pick-up, Saah said.
