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AAP
AAP
Lifestyle
Liz Hobday

States raking in dollars as Swift Eras tour approaches

Taylor Swift fan MJ De La Rue estimates she has spent at least $10,000 on the singer's merchandise and albums over decades as a committed Swiftie.

For the Eras Tour alone, the 30-year-old has spent more than $1000 for tickets to three concerts, and plans to wear a different outfit each night.

Thanks to fans like De La Rue, the Victorian and NSW economies can boast of raking in dollars, with the tour providing an economic boost for both states.

In NSW, where Swift will play four sold out shows from February 23, Business Sydney is predicting the concerts will bring $133 million to the state.

More than 100,000 interstate and overseas visitors are expected in the city, spending an expected $80 million.

Swift's Eras Tour is the first in history to gross more than US$1 billion (A$1.53 billion), according to industry estimates, with fans spending even more on accommodation and merchandise.

In Melbourne, the MCG will have 5000 workers on site for each night of the concert, the highest number ever required to staff the venue.

Crowds are expected to reach 260,000 over three nights from February 16, with fans also travelling to the city to see Swift perform.

While estimates regarding the overall economic impact of the tour in Victoria are still something of a blank space, a recent study commissioned by Visit Victoria found the state's major events contribute $3.3 billion to the economy.

"When a superstar like Taylor Swift chooses Melbourne, the world takes note, and people travel, which is great news for our city's hotels, restaurants, bars, and other businesses," Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

Bookings for hotel accommodation are already above 85 per cent for the Friday and Saturday night concerts, with last-minute bookings still being made.

De La Rue, who actually met the singer when she was 18, remembers a time when fans like her couldn't re-sell or even give away extra concert tickets.

She's now gobsmacked by the level of hype around the Eras Tour.

"It's insane, even compared to the 1989 tour, it was hard to get tickets then but it feels almost impossible now," she said.

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