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Madison Square Garden. Decades before the July 3 wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce catapulted the venue into a new category of global prominence, the Manhattan arena loomed large as a symbol of success.

For the select list of comedians who have sold out the place, filling the arena is considered a pinnacle of achievement. It’s a triumph so encompassing that it inspired the central plot of the final season of “Hacks,” as Jean Smart’s veteran stand-up Deborah Vance demonstrates she’ll do just about anything to sell out the Garden — including putting herself in a glass cube above the Las Vegas Strip and almost perishing up there. “She needs a legacy-defining win, something that’s going to be the inarguable lead to her obituary,” says Paul W. Downs during a Zoom call with his “Hacks” co-creators Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky.

“With Deborah, she likes to go big and Madison Square Garden is big,” adds Statsky. “It’s a testament to what an iconic place it is because we were like, ‘There’s one option here and it’s MSG.’”

So what does it really take to sell out MSG? Back in the day, a comedian could go on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and become nationally known. Now, YouTube subscribers and TikTok followers are part of the equation, along with specials on Netflix, HBO and Hulu. The road to MSG is a long one, with few shortcuts. It usually begins with years of playing club dates, then theaters and larger arenas, creating demand. But the payoff is substantial: With 15,000 to 20,000 seats depending on the configuration, a single night can gross up to $3 million in ticket sales. Then, a streaming platform might fork over $5 million to $20 million for exclusive taped performance rights. Plus, there’s the unquantifiable: “Venues often come and go,” says Aniello, “but Madison Square Garden feels like forever. The name itself has remained protected as this kind of sacred thing.”

Only about 20 comedians have ever achieved the milestone, including the likes of Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Chris Rock and Amy Schumer — the only woman in this elite group. The Envelope spoke to six of them to understand what it takes and how it feels to reach comedy’s Promised Land.

Max Amini

(Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

Number of sellouts: 1
Date: Feb. 15, 2026
Max Amini Tour

“No one sells out Madison Square Garden alone. Behind every artist is an audience that believed before the rest of the world caught on, a family that sacrificed, a team that worked tirelessly. I’m incredibly proud of my team because they believed in this vision long before Madison Square Garden was even a conversation. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that success is never built by one person. It’s built by people who trust one another, challenge one another, and refuse to let each other settle for less than excellence.”

Nate Bargatze

(Jason Kempin / Getty Images)

Number of sellouts: 3
Dates: Sept. 26 and 27 (two shows), 2025
Big Dumb Eyes World Tour

“I believed I could make a career out of stand-up comedy when I was in my 20s, even when it sounded like a crazy thing to do. I was just hoping somebody would come to the show. You spend so many years doing clubs it’s hard to picture anything bigger than that, until it happens. … Selling out Madison Square Garden, let alone selling it out three times, wasn’t something I ever expected, but it was the result of believing in stand-up, believing people still want to get out of the house and laugh together, and believing in hard work each and every day.”

Dane Cook

(Jesse Grant / Getty Images)

Number of sellouts: 3
Dates: Nov. 12, 2006 (two shows) and Nov. 9, 2009
Rough Around the Edges Tour, Isolated Incident Tour

“When I think of history and legendary artists selling out, it’s the greatest honor of my career. To get to experience that even once, it’s an achievement that forever changes how your career is viewed. I’m standing backstage in the hallway looking at all the photos, it’s like getting an energy massage, realizing the history of this incredible edifice. In my quiet moment pre-show, realizing I’m in rare air, I wanted to enjoy it as much as possible. It is a privilege. When I let the crowd know we got there together, I can still feel the energy in my chest.”

Jim Gaffigan

(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation)

Number of sellouts: 1
Date: Dec. 12, 2015
Contagious Tour

“I never thought selling out MSG was a possibility. When I started stand-up it was an unrealistic goal for any comedian. Having lived in NYC for three decades, MSG had exceeded its legendary status for me. MSG is where I brought my kids to see the Knicks and Rangers play. It’s where I saw Bruce Springsteen. Pulling off a sellout seemed like a gamble but worth it. There is something special about an audience seeing you at MSG. I think people coming to the show understand there is a special-event status to a show at MSG.”

Matt Rife

(Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

Number of sellouts: 2
Dates: July 18 and 19, 2025
Stay Golden World Tour

“MSG is the top of the mountain. It symbolizes the pinnacle of ticket-selling success as a comedian. If you can sell out the world’s most famous arena, in the toughest city in America … you’ve made it. For me it was beyond a dream come true. Growing up I always thought selling out comedy clubs was the ceiling for success for stand-up comedians. I never thought I’d be one of them. To not only sell it out twice, but to be the youngest comedian to ever sell it out … it’s still hard to comprehend. It feels like a literal dream, that I can’t remember if it actually happened or not.”

Andrew Schulz

(Bryan Bedder / Getty Images for Food Bank for NYC)

Number of sellouts: 2
Dates: May 3 and 4, 2024
The Life Tour

“I am born and raised in NYC. My dad had so much respect for MSG he would make me wear a collared shirt whenever we stepped in that building. This place had holy significance to me before I knew I wanted to be a comic. Once I decided to make comedy my life I had one goal. It was to sell out MSG … wearing a collared shirt of course. I thought about walking onto that stage every single day for 17 years straight. And then it happened. Dreams do come true.”

When you think of beautiful bridges, it’s probably the world-famous ones that spring to mind. Marvels of engineering like San Francisco’s Golden Gate, or the rich history of London Bridge. However, according to Time Out magazine, the ‘most beautiful’ bridge in the world is a small stone arch tucked away in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Stari Most, which translates to ‘Old Bridge’, is located in Mostar, a city that lies on the banks of the Neretva River.

Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and completed in 1566, the bridge is made of local limestone and spans the river without using any central pillars.

In 1993, the original bridge was destroyed by shelling in the Bosnian War.

However, UNESCO aided its reconstruction, with divers recovering the original stones from the river and masons using the same 16th-century tools to re-create the structure as closely as possible.

It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has recently been named as the ‘most beautiful’ bridge in the world by Time Out.

UNESCO describes Stari Most as “a symbol of reconciliation, international co-operation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities.”

The bridge is visually stunning, standing 27 metres above the emerald green river below.

There is also a long history of daredevils and athletes jumping from the bridge into the water.

The first recorded leap dates back to 1664, according to Bosnian Voyager.

By the 19th century, it was a tourist attraction, with people from all over the continent flocking to the bridge to watch adrenaline seekers hurl themselves into the river.

Since 2016, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has transformed Mostar’s bridge into an elite global sporting stage that keeps the tradition alive.

The competition takes place in late July, and spectators line the river to watch world-class divers jump from the bridge.

HUNDREDS of new £9.50 holidays are set to land this July – including popular holiday parks with previously sold-out dates.

Over at club950.co.uk, Sun readers will soon be able to bag themselves a bargain break at a range of holiday parks across the UK and Europe.

Ahead of the new drop of holidays, our Hols from £9.50 Agony Aunt Tracy Kennedy is here to answer your questions.

Tracy Kennedy has been taking £9.50 holidays for 30 years, and has tried and tested holiday parks everywhere from the Isle of Wight to Wales, and nearly 300,000 follow her advice online about taking The Sun’s budget breaks.

This week, she is answering everything from how to actually book yourself a £9.50 holiday, to the most peaceful holiday parks with walking trails.

You can ask Tracy your own question by filling out the form. As we release each Q&A with Tracy, one lucky reader will be picked to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

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This week’s winner of a £100 Amazon voucher is Charlotte Varns. Congratulations, Charlotte!

https://thesun.formstack.com/forms/js.php/travel_agony_aunt_2026Online Form – 9.50 Hols Agony Aunt – 2026

Are there any more ways to get a £9.50 holiday this year?

Skye Sinclair

Yes, there is! There is another lot of £9.50 holidays coming in July.

Sun Club members can book from one minute past midnight on July 7, and people collecting codes will be able to book from Wednesday July 8.

If you’ve never done a £9.50 holiday before, there are a few different ways to do it.

You can collect the codes that will appear in the newspaper each day, or join Sun Club (£1.99 per month) and book without having to buy the paper and collect the codes.

Before all of this, make sure to go and have a look on the £9.50 holiday website to see which parks are available that you’d like to go to.

The holidays start from £9.50 per person, and yes you can really book them for that cheap.

Then it’s up to you if you want to upgrade your accommodation or add on any passes.

So your cheapest holiday for a family of four would be £38 – I have never found a holiday online any cheaper than that!

Do you have regular go to easy meals that you like to make when you go on holiday in a caravan?

Emma Bush

I cook quite a lot when I go away on holiday, and if I’m going to be cooking, it’s got to be quick and easy.

No roast dinners or fancy meals here – some people in my group do that in their caravans, and I think it’s great!

But for me I always bring cupboard foods like pasta and sauces, so that I always have something quick and easy to cook.

Another one of my favourites is hot dogs. They take just minutes to make and will cost you far less than any of the fancy, expensive ones they sell on-site.

Most caravans will come with a fully-equipped kitchen with microwaves, hobs and a full oven, so you might as well make use of them and save yourself some money.

Another one of my favourite quick and easy meals to make is grabbing a hot rotisserie chicken from the supermarket and serving it with some potatoes and salad.

It’s very simple and you can do so much with the leftovers.

Which holiday parks are ideal for the elderly? Something quiet with some nice dog walks?

Charlotte Varns

My top tip for finding a quiet park is to go on holiday during school term time.

That way the parks will be much quieter, and you’ll often get a better deal outside of the school holidays, too.

In terms of specific parks, a few come to mind. North Wales is lovely and has some beautiful walks, so I’d recommend a few of the parks there.

Lyons Robin Hood is a relaxing holiday park with direct beach access.

Ty Mawr, Lyons Lido Beach and Golden Sands Rhyl are other options which all have beautiful coastal walks nearby.

Outside of Wales, I think Cherry Tree in Norfolk is a lovely option. Norfolk is very flat, so you can get out for walks and it won’t be too challenging.

Are the entertainment passes included, or do you buy them additionally?

Jonathan Smith

Usually the entertainment passes are additional add-ons.

But my secret tip would be to check online first, as there are actually some £9.50 parks that will include your entertainment passes in the price on certain dates.

Park Holidays Pakefield offers club room passes for free for all dates. Park Holidays Sand Le Mere also offers the same.

Make sure to research this ahead of time, as lots of other parks will also offer free passes for specific dates.

What are your recommendations for the most accessible sites?

Tracey Layton

Firstly, always make sure to call your holiday park and let them know that you will need an accessible caravan.

Lower Hyde in Shanklin is a great option, and if you’d like to go out and visit the beach there’s even a lift that takes you down to the seafront.

Plus to get to the beach lift from Lower Hyde, the ground is completely flat.

I’d also recommend Camber Sands holiday park. It’s a beautiful site that is also very flat, and you’ll have the beach right on your doorstep.

Some places across the UK have also started offering beach wheelchairs for hire.

If you’re wanting to visit a beachfront holiday park, I’d recommend looking up if the local beaches offer this.

A MAJOR US band has cancelled all of their UK tour dates including a massive headline festival appearance. 

The popular nineties group pulled out of their tour just hours before their first UK show due to “medical issues”, leaving fans devastated. 

The American punk rock band, Alkaline Trio, have revealed to fans the sad news that they are unable to continue on their UK tour. 

Frontman Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano and Tosh Peterson make up the Chicago originated group.

The trio were all set to perform last night in Birmingham but hours before the show was set to start, the band released a statement on social media.

It read: “We are immensely sorry but we must cancel our dates in England, including tonight’s show in Birmingham, due to medical issues Matt has been suffering from that have worsened.

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“He’s gonna be okay but needs to be treated stateside as soon as possible.

“We will be back healthier and stronger!

“Refunds are available at the point of purchase.”

Not only will the band miss their upcoming UK tour dates to return to the States, but they have also been forced to cancel their highly anticipated headline performance at 2000trees Festival. 

Frontman Matt went on to share a video to fans from London Heathrow Airport, expressing his gratitude for “all the love and support”.

He added: “You guys deserve a better show than I can throw right now. I got numbness in my feet, numbness in my hands as you can tell I’m losing my voice so I can’t really talk, walk, play or sing. But I’m okay.”

After the news broke fans rushed to the comments, one user said: “Sorry to hear this and get well soon.

“Have flights and accommodation booked for the Manchester gig on Wednesday as no Dublin date. Dang.”

Another added: “Gutted to hear this guys, was so looking forward to seeing you again in London tomorrow, but know this decision wouldn’t have been taken lightly. Get well soon Matt.”

“Me looking at my tickets for London and 2000trees (crying emoji) Get well soon, Matt! Wishing you a speedy recovery fam,” a third added.

“It is what it is. Just a shame cus I was literally about to leave my hotel when I saw the message,” penned a fourth.

The band, whose name derived from Matt Skiba simply flicking through a dictionary to find a cool word to stick in front of the “Trio”, was founded in 1996 and went on to sell over a million albums.

Matt is well known for serving as the co-lead vocalist and guitarist of Blink-182 from 2015 to 2022.

Alkaline Trio are best known for songs like ‘Stupid Kid’ and ‘Private eye’. 

The band shot to fame when they released their debut single ‘Sundials’, in 1997.

Four out of five Brits surveyed didn’t know this passport rule, and even more surprisingly, a huge number don’t know the expiry date of their passport, which could leave them facing a last-minute panic

Holidaymakers are being urged by travel insurance specialists to check their passport details ahead of the busy summer season, as a survey showed a huge percentage of Brits were unaware of a basic passport rule.

The research, carried out by Saga Travel Insurance showed that many Brits didn’t know basic rules around passport validity, entry requirements, and travel regulations post-Brexit. Worryingly, 7% of the people surveyed had previously been denied entry to a country because they didn’t have enough time on their passport to cover the trip.

Saga surveyed 500 people, and found that four out of five (80%) were not aware that different countries have different passport validity requirements, while 50% mistakenly thought that every country requires a passport to have six months remaining before travel.

The travel insurance provider also highlighted that half of the Brits surveyed “are still not confident they understand the visa and travel requirements for visiting Europe after Brexit.” 16% didn’t know when their passport is due to expire, while 8% currently had expired passports gathering dust in a drawer.

One mum recently was left £700 out of pocket after getting caught out by passport rules for a holiday to Greece, meaning she couldn’t board her flight with her husband and children.

Michelle Cooper, Director of Travel Insurance at Saga, said: “Nobody should have their holidays ruined because of a simple passport error. A few quick checks can help people avoid unnecessary stress, unexpected costs and disruption at the airport.”

She added: “It’s important to check the specific rules of the country you’re travelling to so that you know how long you need remaining on your passport. Some destinations require three months remaining on your passport, while others require six months.”