Despite naysayers, Madonna sells a million

Madonna 's upcoming world tour to support her new album, "Hard Candy," has moved more than 1 million tickets, according to the superstar's reps, who released the information following a report questioning her selling power.

The "Sticky & Sweet" tour, which kicks off in August with a month-long European run, has continued to expand as shows have sold out in Paris, Lisbon, Zurich, New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Houston, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, East Rutherford, NJ, and Oakland, CA.

Back-to-back stadium shows in Mexico City are the latest to sell out, with more than 100,000 tickets snapped up in three hours, according to promoter Live Nation. The company said 90 percent of the tickets available for Madonna's 42-date outing are sold, including two-night stands in several major US markets and a four-night stand at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

Despite the record-breaking numbers, a New York Post report recently pointed out that a slew of tickets are still available for the Nov. 6 Los Angeles stop. The story claimed that just over half of the 43,000 seats available at Dodger Stadium have been purchased in the first three weeks on sale, and that other US stadium shows--including stops in San Diego and Miami--are doing better but also have yet to sell out. The Post said that when it comes to the largest venues, US consumers don't seem to be rushing for Madonna tickets with the same fervor as their counterparts in Europe and other parts of the world.

Arthur Fogel, who has produced the singer's last three tours, told the Post that concern over ticket demand is overblown. He noted that there is nearly five months to go before the US stadium dates get under way, and that each one has already grossed $3 million to $4 million.

The North American leg of the "Sticky & Sweet" tour is set to roll out Oct. 4 in East Rutherford, NJ, and visit cities all over the US and Canada, plus Mexico City, through late November. Madonna is well into rehearsals with a new band and 18 dancers, according to a press release. An updated North American itinerary is included below, and overseas dates can be found at the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's website.

"With 'Sticky & Sweet,' Madonna is on track to break her own record as the top-grossing female artist of all time," Fogel said in a statement.

The singer's 2006 outing to support her platinum-selling album "Confessions on a Dance Floor" became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time by a female artist, according to a press release.

"Hard Candy" surfaced in April and debuted at No. 1 in more than 30 countries, including the US. It has since sold a reported 544,000 copies and scored hits with "4 Minutes" and "Give it 2 Me."

The set marks Madonna's 11th and final studio album for Warner Bros. Records, as she signed an all-encompassing deal with Live Nation last year, putting her many music-industry ventures under one umbrella.

Live Nation's strategy in handling such all-encompassing contracts has caused a rift amongst management, and the battle led to last week's exit of company chairman Michael Cohl, according to various news reports.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
October 2008
4 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
6, 7, 11, 12 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
15 - Boston, MA - TD BankNorth Garden
18, 19 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
22, 23 - Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre
26, 27 - Chicago, IL - United Center
30 - Vancouver, British Columbia - BC Place Stadium

November 2008
1, 2 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
4 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park
6 - Los Angeles, CA - Dodger Stadium
8, 9 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
11, 12 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
16 - Houston, TX - Minute Maid Park
20 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
22 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
24 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
26 - Miami, FL - Dolphin Stadium
29, 30 - Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Sol

 tour dates and tickets
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