The Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the most-attended entertainment venue in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia this year, despite its smaller seating capacity.
According to a news release, the theatre outperformed much larger venues like Daily’s Place, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in ticket sales.
By the Numbers
Pollstar, a global publication tracking the concert industry, reported that the Florida Theatre sold 187,157 tickets in 2024, earning $8.47 million in gross revenue. This is impressive, considering the theatre has only 1,865 fixed seats.
In comparison:
- VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (15,000 seats): 95,824 tickets sold
- St. Augustine Amphitheatre (4,789 seats): 103,532 tickets sold
- Daily’s Place (5,500 seats): 103,750 tickets sold
- Moran Theatre (2,950 seats): 99,231 tickets sold
Despite having fewer seats, the Florida Theatre’s ticket sales nearly doubled those of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and came within just 2% of Daily’s Place’s revenue.
Community-Driven Success
Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin emphasized the community’s role in this achievement. “What makes this special is that the theatre is managed by a nonprofit focused on this historic building and serving Jacksonville,” he said.
Ticket prices also played a role. The average ticket at the Florida Theatre cost $53.24, significantly lower than the $136.45 average for top North American tours.
Global Recognition
The Florida Theatre is now ranked 44th in the world for most-attended theatres and fifth in the U.S. for theatres with up to 2,000 seats.
Vice President of Programming Kevin Stone, who oversees show bookings, celebrated the theatre’s success. “This ranking shows how much our community supports us and the incredible talent we bring to the stage,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With its historic charm, affordable ticket prices, and commitment to quality entertainment, the Florida Theatre has proven that a small venue can make a big impact.