Garth Brooks concerts in Las Cruces expected to draw visitors, boost economy

Concert organizers Friday added four additional Garth Brooks shows in Las Cruces.

The country music icon was originally scheduled to perform Friday April 7th. Demand was so high, organizers added 3pm and 8pm shows Saturday April 8th and Sunday April 9th.

“It’s obviously the biggest show we’ve ever done. Ticket sales wise, it’s expected to break a record for the Pan American Center,” said Scott Breckner, NMSU Special Events Director, “It’s going to be huge in special activity involving the entire southwest, in the norther part of the state, the El Paso, Juarez market as well.”

The Pan American Center has a capacity of 12,000. Breckner told ABC-7 they have sold more than 40,000 tickets. “The best available seats right now are the three o’clock on Sunday, which are a great matinee show for people to come early in the day and still get home early in the evening,” Breckner said.

The shows will be Brooks’ only performances in New Mexico, organizers said. This is also the first time Brooks performs in Las Cruces in 21 years. Brooks has also added fifth shows in Lubbock, Sacramento and Cincinnati, but some of those performances will be spread out over weeks.

A clerk with the Pan American Center ticket office told ABC-7 a few remaining tickets for the first four shows in Las Cruces are scattered throughout the upper levels of the arena.

If tickets for the shows are still available Saturday morning, people will be able to buy them in person at the Pan American Center box office at 11 a.m.

“Right now, our occupancy is high for Saturday the 8th. We’ll sell out,” said Chris Cruz, director of sales and marketing for the Hilton Garden Inn, which is near the Pan American Center.

“I’m thrilled to death that the tourism people are happy with us. We’re going to fill the beds and the restaurants and the gas stations with gross receipts taxes, so that helps the state. I mean that’s what it’s all about,” said Barbara Hubbard, who helps organize concerts at the Pan Am Center.

Hubbard met Brooks when he first performed in Las Cruces 21 years ago. “I have had his picture (of Brooks) in the room for 21 years from when he was just a young man and I got to visit with his mother, and we talked about our sons,” Hubbard said.

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