Buoyed by the Detroit Pistons playoff run and the highest-grossing two-day concert stand in building history, The Palace of Auburn Hills enjoyed its heartiest week in more than six years during the period of April 30 to May 6, 2003.
Overall, the seven day span saw five sold out events: Pistons vs. Orlando Magic (NBA Playoffs) April 30; Billy Joel/Elton John May 2-3; Pistons vs. Magic (NBA Playoffs) May 4 and Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers (NBA Playoffs) May 6. The Palace also hosted the Detroit Fury vs. Buffalo Destroyers in Arena Football League May 1 and pop/rockers matchbox twenty with Sugar Ray and Maroon5 May 5.
Billy Joel and Elton John's back-to-back sellouts surpassed Madonna's August 26-27, 2001 "Drowned World Tour" dates as the top-grossing two-night stand in The Palace's nearly 15-year history, in excess of $4.6 million.
The building's five full houses in seven days represents its fullest week of capacity crowds since April 14 to April 20, 1997, when it hosted six sellouts in seven days including Lord of the Dance April 14-15; Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks April 16; Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavs April 18; Bush with Veruca Salt April 19; and Grand Funk Railroad performing with the Sarejevo Symphony Orchestera, Peter Frampton and members of the Black Crowes April 20.
"From our building's standpoint, the Pistons' playoffs make a huge difference in revenue, image, morale and national exposure," said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Palace Sports and Entertainment (PS&E). "As one of the top concert facilities in the nation, hosting major tours such as Billy and Elton do the same. We are excited to have several other national concert tours coming through in the near future including Avril Lavigne, the Dixie Chicks for two shows, Fleetwood Mac, the Dave Matthews Band and Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake."
