I'm no expert, but it sounds to me like having support acts such as Def Leppard and Manic Street Preachers (who are very big in UK) is the 'rabbit out of Jon's hat' that he and promoters believe will help outsell what common metrics suggest Bon Jovi should be able to do at this point. I mean, he hasn't gone to such lengths for big name openers since...Sammy Hagar's Van Halen in 1995?

We shall see the ticket prices, but if, aside from the ridiculous diamond-platinum-package types, they're reasonable (2013-levels would be VERY reasonable if you take into account the six-year inflation that has been massive in the live entertainment business) it could be that Jon is willing to sacrifice his wallet to some extent to boast his ego of being able to still be "touring stadiums".