Welcome to Swiftsborough, Taylor Swift!
Taylor Swift needs no introduction. Few artists get to say that Hillsborough County was renamed for a few days in their honor, or that the mayor of the city invited them to be mayor for a day and offered them a key to the city.
On her first stadium tour in almost five years, Swift is gearing up to bring The Eras Tour, a journey through the musical eras of her career (past and present) to Tampa next week.
Her three Tampa Eras Tour dates on April 13, 14 and 15 are the only stops in Florida and will be drawing tens of thousands fans from across the state and all over the world. It’s been a long time since Swift graced the stages at St. Pete Pier and the Plant City Strawberry Festival.
Search ‘Taylor Swift Eras Tampa’ on Tik Tok and you’ll find videos with over 34.5 million views documenting outfit ideas from fans, unofficial fan meetups, approved bag sizes for the venue, and stories from fans getting ready to fly in from other Canada, Brazil and London.
From places to find last-minute tickets and parking instructions to venue rules and things to know for fans, here are the answers to the internet’s top questions.
Update: Heavy traffic expected.
The Tampa Sports Authority has reported that everyone, not just Swifties, should expect heavy traffic in Tampa, especially around Raymond James Stadium, April 13 through 16.
Tom McEwen Blvd. (Tampa Bay Blvd.) will be closed between Dale Mabry Highway and Himes Avenue starting on noon April 13 until 8 a.m. April 16.
Traffic on the evenings of shows will be heavy on the following roads: Dale Mabry, Himes, Columbus and Martin Luther King Jr.
The Sports Authority advises that those not attending the concert are advised to travel alternate routes around the area of Raymond James Stadium.
How do I find tickets to Taylor Swift’s Tampa shows?
StubHub is the tour’s official ticket reseller. Tickets are available in slim pickings for all three tour dates. As of writing this, the site notes that 14,799 people have viewed Taylor Swift events in the past hour. The cheapest seats at the venue are going for $495 a pop.
Desperate Swifties may also have luck on social media, where fans have been using Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and TikTok, but be careful, scammers abound.
Try to win tickets:
Capital One is hosting a ticket giveaway at its Tampa Hyde Park Village Café location beginning Tuesday, April 4 and running until Friday, April 7. Two pairs of tickets will be given away to each show, and the sweepstakes, like all Capital One Cafés, is open to everyone.
To enter, people must visit the Hyde Park Village Café location and scan a QR Code on their smartphones from printed café signage. Two (2) winners will be selected at random for each show and notified by email. A pair (2) of tickets will be digitally transferred to each winner. Good luck!
Where do I park for Taylor Swift’s shows at Raymond James Stadium?
Three or four hours of traffic are expected leading up to the show, especially on Dale Mabry Highway. Spots in the lot are nearly sold out. Fans can check for available spots through parkjockey.com, SpotHero and seatgeek.com.
The Ray Jay stadium lots open at 3 p.m. and fans will be tailgating and trading friendship bracelets beforehand, but local officials are asking fans not to arrive earlier than opening time and clog traffic flow.
It’s a gamble, but some fans may bring cash and try to get a spot with willing neighbors in the surrounding neighborhoods.
HART bus routes 7, 15, 32, 36 and 45 service the stadium. Bus stops on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Himes Avenue will stop about 15-20 minutes walking distance from the venue.
Uber and Lyft are also options for getting there and avoiding parking problems. But, fans in other cities have reported two to three hour waits after each show for pickup, along with hefty prices. We recommend having a family member or friend pick you up nearby. The George M. Steinbrenner lot across the street can be accessed via a pedestrian bridge.
What Can I Bring Into Raymond James Stadium For The Tampa Eras Shows?
Bring it:
- Raymond James is cashless – bring your credit card.
- TINY bag, or no bag at all. Raymond James Stadium has a no-bag policy for all events. Guests may bring one clutch purse no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5. inches. Unlike other tour stops, it does not have to be clear.
- Any other bag must be left in your vehicle or stowed in storage lockers, which are available to rent on Tom McEwen Boulevard (south of Gate C).
- For medical and diaper bags, fill out a special needs request form at least 72 hours prior to the show. The form can be found here.
- You may bring a sign, but it can be no larger than 11 by 17 in. It cannot be on a stick.
Fans are bringing friendship bracelets to trade. Bracelet trading is allowed at Raymond James, but they must fit on your person, or in your tiny clutch.
Leave it at home:
- No battery packs on clothing, accessories, or signs.
- No cameras with detachable lenses, or with lenses that exceed 12 inches (point-and-shoot cameras are allowed), video cameras, GoPros, selfie sticks, gimbals or extenders
- Large electronic devices such as digital readers, iPads or laptops.
- Aerosol or spray bottles of sunscreen
- Tobacco (including e-cigarettes and vaporizers)
- Food, drinks, cans, bottles, glass or coolers
- Horns, lasers and artificial noisemakers
- Illegal/recreational drugs, weapons
- Recreational balls, seat cushions
- Strollers or umbrellas
- Unmanned aircraft systems and radio-controlled model aircraft/drones (these are also prohibited on stadium property, including parking lots)
What Are People Wearing To The Eras Shows?
- At other shows, fans have been dressing up in themed outfits from each of Swift’s various eras. Expect lots of glitter. A google search for ideas will yield inspiration.
- Wear comfortable shoes and plan for all weather possibilities, as Raymond James Stadium is an outdoor venue. Check the forecast before you go!
What Is The Tampa Taylor Swift Eras Tour Schedule?
The parking lot opens at 3 p.m.
Gates to Raymond James Stadium open 4:30 p.m.
GAYLE, Beabadoobee and Gracie Abrams (openers vary by show, check your tickets) open the show at 6:30 p.m.
Taylor Swift is expected to take the stage around 8 p.m. or shortly thereafter. Her set is expected to be 44 songs long, lasting around 3 hours.
What Songs Will Taylor Swift Perform In Tampa?
Miss Swift will indeed perform songs from all her eras, spanning every album of her over 17-year career.
Expected songs are (organized by album):
Lover
- Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince
- Cruel Summer
- The Man
- You Need To Calm Down
- Lover
- The Archer
Fearless
- Fearless
- You Belong With Me
- Love Story
Evermore
- ’Tis the damn season
- Willow
- Marjorie
- Champagne Problems
- Tolerate It
Reputation
- Ready for It?
- Delicate
- Don’t Blame Me
- Look What You Made Me Do
Speak Now
- Enchanted
Red
- Intro, contains elements of state of grace
- 22
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
- Knew You Were Trouble
- All Too Well (10 Minute Version)
Folklore
- Intro, contains elements of Seven and Wildest Dreams
- The 1
- Betty
- The Last Great American Dynasty
- August
- Illicit Tears
- My Tears Ricochet
- Cardigan
1989
- Style
- Blank Space
- Shake it Off
- Wildest Dreams
- Bad Blood
2 Surprise Songs*
Midnights
- Lavender Haze
- Anti-Hero
- Midnight Rain
- Vigilante Shit
- Bejeweled
- Mastermind
- Karma
*Taylor Swift is adding surprise songs to every Eras tour stop. Surprise songs have included (in order of performance) Mirrorball, Tim McGraw, This is Me Trying, State of Grace, Our Song, Snow on the Beach, Cowboy Like Me, White Horse, Sad Beautiful Tragic, and Ours.
How To Purchase Merchandise At The Shows
Fans at other shows have reported long lines and waits at merchandise lines. People have been urged to get to the venue two or three hours in advance.
The tour has announced that fans can buy shirts, posters and more on Wednesday, April 12 in Lot 2 of Raymond James Stadium from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then when the tour arrives the next day, there will be merchandise trailers parked at the Ford Gate, Gate B and the South Plaza starting at 3 p.m.
Some of the merchandise for sale at the show is also available on Taylor Swift’s online store. Swift has been sending coupon codes to the same email that was used to buy tickets within a few hours after each show.
What To Do If You Didn’t Score Tickets?
Tampa locals, no need to fret. Hang out with other unlucky local Swifties at one of the many unofficial Taylor Swift-inspired parties taking place across the Bay this month. We’d recommend TAY-Gates, being put on by local Swifties.
Tampa
The City of Tampa will also be lighting Old City Hall, the Tampa Riverwalk and downtown bridges red in honor of the Era’s Tour.
Pre Eras Tour Dance Party
April 12., 7 p.m.
Centro Asturiano de Tampa | 1913 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa
TAY-Gates, Pre-Party For Fans By Fans
April 13-15.,1 p.m. – 4 p.m
2 Shepherds Taproom | 4813 N Grady Ave, Tampa
All ages (with a parent or legal guardian)
Unofficial Pre-Tour DJ Dance Party
April 14., 9 p.m.
Pegasus Lounge | 14811 N Florida Ave, Tampa
Candlelight Tampa: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
April 28., 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Centro Asturiano de Tampa | 1913 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa
Taylor Swift Coffee Flight
April 10 – April 16
The Bean Bar Co. has created an Instagram-worthy Taylor Swift coffee flight including a Lavender Haze lavender vanilla latte, RED red velvet latte, Lover blue cotton candy latte with whip and pink glittery dust and Bejeweled white chocolate mocha with sparkles. Swifties can order the flight hot or iced through April 16.
St. Petersburg
Sorry You Missed Taylor Swift Party Day 1 & Day 2
April 14 and April 15., 7 p.m.
The Floridian Social Club | 687 Central Ave N, St. Petersburg
Candlelight St. Petersburg: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
May 18., 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
The Birchwood | 340 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg
Swiftie Sips at Kahwa
April 7-16 enjoy Taylor inspired beverages, Lavender Haze (a beverage that combines matcha and lavender to create a floral yet sweet taste) and Midnight Run (a sweet coffee beverage with mild blueberry flavor and sweet white mocha). Proceeds benefiting CASA.
Multiple Locations
Get to know Mayor Jane Castor or find some of the Best Restaurants of 2023 while you’re in town.