NBA YoungBoy Concerts Tighten Security Amid Cancellations and Violence Fears

In a move to ensure public safety, the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans has implemented a strict "no bags" policy for the upcoming NBA YoungBoy concerts on October 23 and 24, 2025. This comes as the rapper's MASA Tour has faced cancellations in several cities due to concerns over potential violence.

Earlier this year, a 66-year-old usher was assaulted at an NBA YoungBoy show in Kansas, leading to a felony charge against a teenage attendee. Additionally, the United Center in Chicago canceled a September 24th concert, citing an ongoing dispute between NBA YoungBoy and Chicago rapper Lil Durk, who is currently in jail awaiting trial on a murder-for-hire plot.

Despite these challenges, the New Orleans concerts are expected to be highly lucrative, with all face-value tickets sold out and resale prices reaching as high as $614 for lower-bowl seats. The Smoothie King Center will be filled to its 14,000-plus end-stage concert capacity, generating millions in ticket, merchandise, concession, and parking revenue for the rapper, tour promoter Live Nation, and the venue.

To mitigate risks, the city of New Orleans has announced that 400 police officers will be deployed in the Central Business District and French Quarter during the two-night event. The concerts are part of NBA YoungBoy's return to the stage following a 23-month prison sentence for gun charges, for which he was recently pardoned by former President Donald Trump.