Philip Anschutz’s Concerts West has scored a huge coup, locking in a fall arena tour from no less a draw than Britney Spears.

Put together by Spears’ agent, Evolution’s David Zedeck, co-managers Johnny Wright and Larry Rudolph and Concerts West President/CEO John Meglin, the tour will crisscross North America from late October into December, with a total guarantee in the neighborhood of $13-15 million. According to our source, an effort will be made to keep the average ticket price in the $50 range.

The tour coincides with the release of a new Britney single in late September and album in early November.

The Spears-Concerts West alliance marks the first major tour in some time that Clear Channel isn’t getting. With Anschutz throwing down the gauntlet, Clear Channel may now have to reconsider its offer to purchase Concerts West. On the other hand, perhaps overpaying for CW will be cheaper for Clear Channel in the long run than having to compete with them.

In any case, another player has entered the fray in the big-time concert business, which means CC and CW will be slugging it out for major tours—and that will likely have the effect of driving up ticket prices along with guarantees to artists. Plenty more action to come.