Journey, Springsteen and more: See who’s performing this year at the Bryce Jordan Center

Carrie Underwood, Journey and Bruce Springsteen are just three of the popular acts making their way to the Bryce Jordan Center in 2023 as part of one of the biggest lineups in recent years.

Al Karosas, the general manager at the BJC, said part of the influx of big-name concerts and events is due to the excitement of performers and audience members coming out of the pandemic.

“We’re seeing the wants of people to want to be a part of live entertainment and go out to shows and have a great time and kind of escape reality for a little bit,” Karosas said.

Springsteen tickets went on sale on July 26 and sold out shortly after. Anyone interested in attending now can buy verified resale tickets through Ticketmaster.

With over 27 years of experience working at the BJC, Karosas said he recognizes the impact big events have on the local economy, as the larger tours and celebrity acts bring out both locals and travelers.

Karosas said this isn’t the first year the BJC has hosted well-known acts, and it won’t be the last.

Springsteen performed at the BJC in 2009, 2012 and 2016, and Underwood brought her “Blown Away” tour to the arena in 2012.

According to BJC Director of Marketing and Public Relations Kate Bean, the BJC is able to re-book performers because of the strong relationships the staff builds with them and their adaptive marketing strategies for each type of act.

The process of booking performers, Karosas said, largely depends on the outcome and response of previous shows.

“The success is based on the support of our community,” Karosas said.

Because the community includes both Penn State students and Centre County residents, Bean said the staff tries to book a diverse range of acts that appeal to different age groups.

Due to going “digital for the most part,” Bean said the BJC receives less direct feedback about events, but she encourages people to voice performer suggestions via email or social media so the arena can continue booking shows people want to see.

Here’s a list of the BJC’s upcoming concerts and live events. Tickets for these shows and other Penn State sporting events can be purchased through ticketmaster.com.

• Carrie Underwood’s “Denim & Rhinestones” tour — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10
  
  
• Winter Jam 2023 — 7 p.m. Feb. 24
• Harlem Globetrotters — 7 p.m. Feb. 28

• Journey’s “Freedom” tour with Toto — 7:30 p.m. March 3

• Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s 2023 tour — 7:30 p.m. March 18 (sold-out)

• Kenny Chesney’s “I Go Back” tour with Kelsea Ballerini — 7:30 p.m. March 25

• The Kid Laroi’s “Bleed For You” tour with Jeremy Zucker — 8 p.m. March 27

• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party — 12:30 p.m. April 1-2

• Casting Crows’ “The Healer Tour” — 7 p.m. April 7

• Shinedown’s “The Revolutions Live” tour with Three Days Grace and From Ashes to New — 7 p.m. April 8

• Walker Hayes’ “Duck Buck” tour with Ingrid Andress and Ray Fulcher — 6:30 p.m. April 27

• Thomas Rhett’s “Home Team” tour with Cole Swindell and Nate Smith — 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22