Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour is the most-attended tour of all time, with a total of 8.9 million tickets sold in 260 shows

The following is a list of the most-attended concert tours with at least 3.5 million ticketed sold, as well as the tours with the most tickets sold by year and the most tickets sold in a single day. The number of attendance is often considered to measure the success of a tour. However, the most-attended tours do not necessarily generate the largest profit due to ticket pricing. Rankings of most successful tours are generally based on gross revenue instead of number of attendance.[1] Pollstar and Billboard provide boxscores which are the primary data showing the commercial performance of tours. However, since not all concerts are reported to those publications, especially prior to the 2000s decade, the number of tickets sold may rely on estimations by other reliable sources.

Tours may score a very large attendance in total because of their extensive number of shows which can span multiple calendar years. Currently, Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour is the most-attended tour of all time, with a total of 8.9 million tickets sold in 260 shows across three different years (2017–2019).[2] It also holds the record for the most-attended tour in a year, attracting 4.86 million people in 2018. U2 scored the annual most-attended tours at least six times since 1997, more than any other act. Meanwhile, Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna and Taylor Swift are the only women having a tour attended by 3.5 million people or more. According to Pollstar and Billboard reports, Taylor Swift is the only woman who has ever achieved the largest tour attendance in a single year.[lower-alpha 1] Swift also holds the record for the fastest-selling tour of all time, with a total of 2.4 million tickets sold in a single day for the 2023 U.S. leg of the Eras Tour.

Most-attended tours

Over 5 million attendance

Key
† Indicates an ongoing concert tour
Tours attended by 5 million people or more
Year(s) Tour title Artist Tickets sold Shows Ref.
2017–2019 ÷ Tour Ed Sheeran 8.8 million[lower-alpha 2] 260 [2]
2009–2011 U2 360° Tour U2 7.2 million[lower-alpha 3] 110 [4]
2022–2023 Music of the Spheres World Tour Coldplay 7.1 million 122 [5]
1994–1995 Voodoo Lounge Tour The Rolling Stones 6.5 million[lower-alpha 4] 129 [7]
2014–2017 The Garth Brooks World Tour (2014–2017) Garth Brooks 6.3 million 390 [8]
2018–2023 Farewell Yellow Brick Road Elton John 6 million[lower-alpha 5] 330 [10]
1989–1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour The Rolling Stones 6 million 115 [11]
1994 The Division Bell Tour Pink Floyd 5.5 million 112 [12]
1996–1998 The Garth Brooks World Tour (1996–1998) Garth Brooks 5.5 million 220 [6]
2016–2017 A Head Full of Dreams Tour Coldplay 5.38 million 114 [13]
2016–2019 Not in This Lifetime... Tour Guns N' Roses 5.37 million 175 [3]
1992–1993 Zoo TV Tour U2 5.3 million 157 [14]
1984–1985 Born in the U.S.A. Tour Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 5 million 156 [15]
2021–2023 Love On Tour Harry Styles 5 million 169 [16]

3.5–4.9 million attendance

Tours attended by 3.5 to 4.9 million people
Year(s) Tour title Artist Tickets sold Shows Ref.
1997–1998 Bridges to Babylon Tour The Rolling Stones 4.8 million[lower-alpha 6] 108 [17]
2008–2010 Black Ice World Tour AC/DC 4.8 million 168 [18]
2005–2007 A Bigger Bang Tour The Rolling Stones 4.7 million 147 [6]
1996–1997 HIStory World Tour Michael Jackson 4.5 million 82 [19]
2016–2019 Vertigo Tour U2 4.6 million 131 [20]
1987–1989 Bad Michael Jackson 4.4 million 125 [21]
2023 The Eras Tour Taylor Swift 4.35 million[lower-alpha 1] 60 [22]
1987–1990 A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour Pink Floyd 4.25 million 198 [23]
2010–2013 The Wall Live Roger Waters 4.1 million 220 [24]
2016–2019 WorldWired Tour Metallica 4.1 million 159 [25]
1987–1988 Break Every Rule World Tour Tina Turner 4 million 218 [26]
1997–1998 PopMart Tour U2 3.9 million[lower-alpha 7] 93 [18][27]
2012–2013 Wrecking Ball World Tour Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 3.65 million 127 [lower-alpha 8]
1992–1993 Dangerous World Tour Michael Jackson 3.5 million 69 [30]
2003–2004 Licks Tour The Rolling Stones 3.5 million 117 [6]
2008–2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour Madonna 3.5 million 85 [31]
2014 Where We Are Tour One Direction 3.5 million[lower-alpha 9] 69 [33]
2002–2005 Living Proof: The Farewell Tour Cher 3.5 million[lower-alpha 10] 325 [18]

Most-attended tours by year

U2 frontman Bono at the Joshua Tree Tour 2017, their sixth annual most-attended tour since 1997
Annual most-attended tours according to Pollstar or Billboard
Year Artist Tour title Tickets sold Source Top-grossing
tour of the year		 Ref.
1997 U2 PopMart Tour 1.70 million Pollstar Yes [35]
1999 NSYNC NSYNC in Concert 1.80 million Pollstar No [36]
2000 No Strings Attached Tour 1.65 million Pollstar No [36]
2001 U2 Elevation Tour 2.06 million Billboard Yes [37]
2002 Dave Matthews Band Dave Matthews Band 2002 Tour 1.35 million Billboard No [38]
2003 The Rolling Stones Licks Tour 3.47 million Billboard Yes [39]
2004 Prince Musicology Live 2004ever 1.47 million Billboard No [40]
2005 U2 Vertigo Tour 3.00 million Billboard Yes [41]
2006 The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour 3.50 million Billboard Yes [42]
2007 The Police The Police Reunion Tour 1.85 million Billboard Yes [43]
2008 Bon Jovi Lost Highway Tour 2.15 million Billboard No [44]
2009 U2 U2 360° Tour 3.07 million Billboard Yes [45]
2010 Bon Jovi The Circle Tour 1.90 million Pollstar Yes [46]
2011 U2 U2 360° Tour 2.88 million Billboard Yes [47]
2012 Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball World Tour 2.28 million Pollstar No [28]
2013 Bon Jovi Because We Can 2.65 million Pollstar Yes [29]
2014 One Direction Where We Are Tour 3.43 million Pollstar Yes [48]
2015 On the Road Again Tour 2.36 million Pollstar No [49]
2016 Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour 2.67 million Pollstar No [50]
2017 U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 2.71 million Pollstar Yes [51]
2018 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour 4.86 million Pollstar Yes [52]
2019 2.45 million Pollstar No [53]
2020 Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve and Other Stories Tour 0.88 million Pollstar No [54]
2021 Harry Styles Love On Tour 0.66 million Pollstar No [55]
2022 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 3.80 million Pollstar Yes [56]
2023 Taylor Swift The Eras Tour 4.35 million[lower-alpha 1] Pollstar Yes [22]

Fastest-selling tours

Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour, the fastest-selling tour ever with 2.4 million tickets sold in a single day
Key
* Indicates previous record holder for the fastest-selling tour
Tours with the most tickets sold in a single day
Year Artist Tour title Tickets sold Notes Ref.
2023 Taylor Swift The Eras Tour 2.4 million First North American leg [57]
2005 Robbie Williams Close Encounters Tour* 1.6 million [58]
2022 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 1.4 million Second European leg [59]
2010 Take That Progress Live 1.3 million [60]
2017 U2 The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 1.1 million [61]
2016 Guns N' Roses Not in This Lifetime... Tour 1.1 million [62]
2000 NSYNC No Strings Attached Tour* 1.0 million [63]
2016 Bruno Mars 24K Magic World Tour 1.0 million [64]
2021 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour 1.0 million First European leg [65]
2017 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour 0.7 million Oceanian leg [66]
2023 Madonna The Celebration Tour 0.6 million [67]
2009 AC/DC Black Ice World Tour 0.5 million [68]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Based on estimations, as Swift has not reported her numbers to Billboard or Pollstar.
  2. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 8.9 million.[3]
  3. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 7.3 million.[3]
  4. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 6.4 million.[6]
  5. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 6.2 million.[9]
  6. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 5 million.[6]
  7. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 4 million.[6]
  8. ↑ Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball World Tour was attended by 2.29 million people in 2012 and 1.36 million people in 2013.[28][29]
  9. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 3.4 million.[32]
  10. ↑ Other estimate attendances are 3 million.[34]

References

  1. ↑ "Top 20 Global Concert Tours from Pollstar". AP News. August 11, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Highest attendance for a music tour". Guinness World Records. 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Frankenberg, Eric (August 7, 2023). "Billboard Boxscore Top 10 Tours of All Time: Harry Styles Finishes North of $600 Million". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  4. ↑ Waddell, Ray (February 4, 2012). "Billboard Power 100: 27 – U2 & Paul McGuinness". Billboard. Vol. 124, no. 4. pp. 18–19. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Top 10 Tours Alone Gross $3.8B in Banner Year". Pollstar. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Further On Up The Road". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 2. January 17, 2009. p. 10. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Hill, Karen (May 7, 2017). "Boyz II Men, Van Halen Tours Among Top 10 of 1995". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ Varga, George (March 4, 2022). "Garth Brooks will make history with sold-out 'in-the-round' stadium concert at Petco Park Saturday". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  9. ↑ ET Online (July 9, 2023). "Elton John bids farewell to glittering live career, fans gather for emotional final concert". The Economic Times. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ Frankenberg, Eric (July 13, 2023). "Elton John's Farewell Tour Comes to an End With $939 Million and 6 Million Tickets". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  11. ↑ Apter, Jeff (2017). High Voltage: The Life of Angus Young - ACDC's Last Man Standing. Black Inc. p. 185. ISBN 9781925435764. Retrieved September 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
  12. ↑ Whatley, Jack (May 6, 2021). "Pink Floyd's 6 greatest live shows of all time". Far Out. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Coldplay's A Head Full of Dreams Is Third Highest Grossing World Tour Ever". Billboard. November 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Great NZ Concerts - U2's Zoo TV Tour". RNZ Concert. February 16, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ Castro, Janice (January 26, 2007). "The Boss's Thunder Road to Riches". Time. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  16. ↑ Frankenberg, Eric (August 7, 2023). "Harry Styles' Love On Tour Ends As the Fourth $600 Million Trek Ever". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  17. ↑ Havers, Richard (September 23, 2022). "'Bridges To Babylon': Remembering The Rolling Stones' Historic Tour". Universal Music Group. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 Kemp, Sam (November 11, 2022). "The 10 biggest music tours in history". Far Out. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ "In Pictures: A Forbes History Of Michael Jackson's Earnings". Forbes. October 27, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (January 1, 2007). "U2: From joshua trees to palm trees". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Ten things you didn't know about Michael Jackson's Bad". The Times. September 14, 2012. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  22. 1 2 Gensler, Andy (December 8, 2023). "Taylor Swift Sets All-Time Touring Record With $1 Billion Gross". Pollstar. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ Martinez, Fidel (June 14, 2017). "The 21 biggest concert tours of all-time". Yardbarker. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  24. ↑ Allen, Bob (January 23, 2019). "Riding The Gravy Train: Waters Tops $835 Million With Latest Trek". Pollstar. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  25. ↑ Richards, Will (September 19, 2019). "Metallica are now the "biggest all-time touring band"". NME. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Highest attendance at a ticketed concert by a female artist". Guinness World Records. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  27. ↑ Tyaransen, Olaf (August 3, 2017). "U2: The Complete History of Their Live Tours - Lovetown to Elevation (Part 3 of 4)". Hot Press. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  28. 1 2 "2012 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "2013 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ Jones, Chris (August 10, 2023). "Review: Fabulous 'MJ the Musical' in Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Madonna world tour breaks her own record". Reuters. September 2, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  32. ↑ Allen, Bob (October 10, 2014). "One Direction's Where We Are Tour Attended by 3.4 Million Fans". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  33. ↑ "One Direction". The Sky VIP Official Big Top 40. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  34. ↑ Waddell, Ray (May 28, 2005). "Cher Tour Top Grosser Among Female Acts". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 22. p. 20. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Rolling Stones '97 Tour Tops List of Concert Draws". Washington Post. 1997. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  36. 1 2 "Tina Turner the Top Touring Act of 2000". Rolling Stone. December 29, 2000. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Top 25 Tours". Billboard. December 29, 2001. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Top 25 Tours". Billboard. December 28, 2002. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Top 25 Tours". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Top 25 Tours". Billboard. December 25, 2004. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  41. ↑ Ryan, Amy (December 13, 2005). "The top 10 tours of 2005". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Top Rock/Pop Tours of '06". Billboard. December 23, 2006. p. YE-6. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Top 25 Tours" (PDF). Billboard. December 22, 2007. p. 138. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  44. ↑ Billboard Staff (2008). "Top 25 Tours 2008". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  45. ↑ Billboard Staff (December 11, 2009). "Top 25 Tours of 2009". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  46. ↑ "2010 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  47. ↑ Billboard Staff (December 9, 2011). "Top 25 Tours of 2011". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  48. ↑ "2014 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  49. ↑ "2015 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  50. ↑ "2016 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  51. ↑ "2017 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  52. ↑ "2018 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  53. ↑ "2019 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  54. ↑ "2020 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  55. ↑ "2021 Pollstar Year End" (PDF). Pollstar. 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Coldplay Add Six New Asian Dates for 2024". Pollstar. 12 June 2023. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  57. ↑ Winters, Mike (July 4, 2023). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is set to earn a record-breaking $1 billion in sales—here are the 10 highest-grossing tours". CNBC. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Most tour tickets sold in a day (concerts)". Guinness World Reocrds. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
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  61. ↑ "After 'Joshua Tree' Tour Sells 1.1 Million Tickets in 24 Hours, U2 Adds Shows". Billboard. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  62. ↑ Jones, Damian (December 12, 2016). "Guns N' Roses sell a million concert tickets in one day". NME. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  63. ↑ "Robbie Sets Ticket Sales Record". The Age. November 25, 2005. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  64. ↑ Stutz, Colin (November 22, 2016). "Bruno Mars' 24K Magic Tour Sells 1 Million Tickets in 24 Hours". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
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  66. ↑ "Third Ed Sheeran Concert at ANZ Stadium Smashes Stadium Tour Record". Stadium Australia. March 26, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  67. ↑ Brooks, Dave (January 20, 2023). "Madonna's 'The Celebration Tour' Sells Out New York, London, Paris Dates in Minutes". Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  68. ↑ "AC/DC breaks ticket sales records". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. May 26, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
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