Determining which musical artist sells the most concert tickets is an interesting question that requires looking at touring data over a period of time. Concert ticket sales numbers can fluctuate year-to-year based on an artist’s album release schedule, popularity at a given moment, and touring plans. Additionally, the total number of tickets sold does not always directly correlate with the amount of revenue generated, as ticket prices can vary widely between different artists and venues. However, examining ticket sales data does provide a useful metric to compare and track the live concert drawing power of top artists.
Considerations for Measuring Ticket Sales
When looking at which musicians sell the most concert tickets, there are a few factors to take into account:
– Time period measured – Ticket sales need to be looked at over a defined period of time, for example a specific tour or calendar year. An artist who sells out a single tour may sell more tickets than another artist that year, but trailing over several years the numbers could be very different.
– Type of tour – Large global tours will have much higher ticket sales than a limited regional tour. The size and scope of a tour needs to be considered when comparing artists.
– Average ticket prices – Higher ticket prices mean an artist can sell fewer tickets but still generate more total revenue. The average price per ticket is an important metric.
– Venue sizes – Artists who can routinely sell out large stadiums and arenas will sell significantly more tickets overall than artists who play smaller theaters.
– Double-counting shows – When artists play multiple shows at a single venue, sometimes reported ticket sales may count the same seats more than once. Raw ticket sales numbers need to be checked for accuracy.
– Source and methodology – Whether ticket sales data comes from the artist’s management, the concert promoter, or a third party will impact accuracy and transparency. How ticket sales are calculated also matters.
Getting an accurate picture of who sells the most tickets means taking a nuanced approach and looking at multiple data sources over a clearly defined time period.
Biggest Ticket Selling Artists
Based on multiple reports from top concert industry publications and data companies, the following artists consistently rank among the top ticket selling musicians in the world when looking at sales over a multiple year period:
The Rolling Stones
– According to Pollstar, The Rolling Stones have sold over 5.8 million tickets globally from 2010-2019 [1]. They sold over 1 million tickets worldwide for their 50 & Counting tour in 2012-2013.
– In 2018, Billboard estimated The Rolling Stones have sold more than 75 million tickets over the duration of their career dating back to the 1960s [2].
– Their long history and fans from multiple generations contribute to strong ongoing ticket sales even five decades after they first began touring. The Stones still routinely sell out stadiums and often add additional shows due to demand.
U2
– U2’s 360° Tour from 2009-2011 remains the highest grossing concert tour of all time. It sold over 7.2 million tickets worldwide according to Billboard Boxscore [3].
– The Joshua Tree Tour in 2017 celebrating the band’s seminal album sold over 2.7 million tickets globally [4].
– U2 has grossed well over $1 billion in ticket sales over their touring career according to Billboard estimates [2]. Their consistent international popularity allows them to sell huge numbers of tickets year after year.
Coldplay
– Coldplay sold 5.4 million tickets globally on their A Head Full of Dreams Tour from 2016-2017 according to Pollstar [5].
– Their Mylo Xyloto Tour in 2011-2012 sold 3.6 million tickets ranking as one of the top 10 highest grossing tours of all time [2].
– Coldplay has routinely been one of the top selling touring acts in the world over the past decade. Their tours consistently sell over 2 million tickets each based on data from Billboard Boxscore [6].
Guns N’ Roses
– Guns N’ Roses’ Not In This Lifetime… Tour from 2016-2019 sold over 5.3 million tickets globally [7].
– This makes it the third highest grossing tour of all time according to Billboard [2].
– The reunion of Axl Rose, Slash, and other original members led to massive demand around the world. The tour lasted several years due to its ongoing popularity.
Ed Sheeran
– Ed Sheeran broke the record for the highest grossing tour of all time by a solo artist with his Divide Tour from 2017-2019. It sold 8.5 million tickets globally [8].
– His Multiply Tour in 2014 sold over 2.7 million tickets according to Setlist.fm data [9].
– Sheeran’s chart-topping pop hits and multifaceted talents allow him to consistently post huge ticket sales numbers as a solo artist. He is still early in his touring career compared to other top artists.
More Recent Top Selling Tours (2017-2022)
Looking at more recent tours over the past 5-6 years, some additional artists stand out for selling huge numbers of tickets:
Beyoncé & Jay Z
– Their joint On The Run II Tour in 2018 sold over 2.1 million tickets according to Billboard Boxscore [10].
– The tour grossed over $250 million. Beyoncé and Jay Z playing together allowed them both to sell tickets in larger venues than they could individually.
Taylor Swift
– Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018 sold over 2.5 million tickets according to Billboard [11].
– Her 1989 World Tour in 2015 was also one of the highest grossing tours ever with over 2.3 million tickets sold [12].
– Swift has built up a massive global fanbase over her career that allows her sell out huge shows in minutes.
BTS
– The South Korean pop group sold over 2 million tickets across their Love Yourself and Speak Yourself world tours in 2018-2019 [13].
– They made history as the first Korean group to sell out Wembley Stadium in London.
– BTS’ worldwide popularity was demonstrated by their ability to quickly sell huge numbers of tickets outside Korea.
P!nk
– P!nk’s Beautiful Trauma World Tour from 2018-2019 sold over 3 million tickets worldwide according to Pollstar [14].
– Her Truth About Love Tour also sold an estimated 2.7 million tickets [15].
– P!nk has carved out a unique place as a hugely popular touring artist able to sell out arena shows consistently.
Justin Timberlake
– Timberlake’s The Man of the Woods Tour in 2018-2019 sold over 2.7 million tickets globally [16].
– His 2013-2014 The 20/20 Experience World Tour also sold over 2 million tickets [17].
– As a pop superstar since his *NSYNC days, Timberlake remains a major ticket seller capable of filling large venues.
Highest Grossing Tours of All Time
Based on total gross revenue, which accounts for both ticket sales and average ticket prices, the following are the top grossing tours of all time globally according to Pollstar’s data:
1. U2 360° Tour (2009-2011) – $736 million
2. The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007) – $558 million
3. Guns N’ Roses Not in This Lifetime… Tour (2016-2019) – $562 million
4. The Rolling Stones 50 & Counting Tour (2012-2013) – $558 million
5. Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour (2016–2017) – $523 million
U2, The Rolling Stones, and Coldplay stand out for claiming four of the top five spots on the highest grossing tours list. All three bands have loyal multi-generational fanbases and have built up decades of popularity to drive massive tour earnings. Guns N’ Roses joins them in the top five, showing the durability of some classic rock bands.
Contemporary Artists with Biggest Live Crowds
While overall ticket sales indicate an artist’s drawing power and popularity over time, looking at the size of the biggest concert crowd for contemporary artists is also revealing. Even artists early in their careers can gather huge single-show audiences in the right venue. According to Rock in Rio festival data and Billboard reports, some of the contemporary artists who have drawn the largest crowds at a single show include [18]:
Taylor Swift
– In Sao Paulo in 2015, Swift performed for over 99,000 fans which remains her biggest show to date. It highlights her tremendous popularity in Brazil.
Ariana Grande
– Grande drew an audience of 90,000 at the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil in 2019. It shows her growth into a global stadium-level star.
Justin Bieber
– Bieber has performed multiple times at Rock in Rio for crowds over 85,000. His global teen idol status has translated into huge audiences.
Bruno Mars
– Mars performed for a Rock in Rio audience of 85,000 in 2017. His energetic live shows make him a big concert draw.
Coldplay
– In 2016 Coldplay gathered over 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London. They can sell out the biggest venues worldwide.
Ed Sheeran
– Sheeran set the record for the biggest single show at Wembley with 90,000 fans in 2015. He routinely fills stadiums globally now.
Iron Maiden
– The legendary metal band drew 85,000 to Rock in Rio in 2019 proving their popularity in South America.
Foo Fighters
– Foo Fighters assembled 85,000 fans at Rock in Rio in 2017. They remain vital global stadium rock draws decades into their career.
The huge crowds for contemporary pop, rock, and global superstar artists shows today’s top musicians can still unite massive audiences in the right setting. Stadium-sized crowds will likely continue to grow as bands like BTS further globalize the music industry.
How COVID-19 Impacted Touring
The COVID-19 pandemic had a sudden and sweeping impact on concerts and touring in 2020. With venues closed and mass gatherings canceled for public health reasons, the live music industry came to a virtual standstill. Pollstar estimated the total lost revenue from tours cancelled in 2020 was over $30 billion globally [19]. Nearly all top grossing tours were postponed or altered due to COVID. Some examples:
- Elton John postponed part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour that had grossed over $212 million up to March 2020 [20].
- The Rolling Stones postponed their 15-date North American tour originally scheduled for summer 2020 [21].
- Taylor Swift had been set to headline 12 major music festivals across Europe which were all canceled [22].
- Guns N’ Roses moved tour dates in South America, Asia, and Europe to 2021 [23].
- BTS delayed their global Map of the Soul tour originally scheduled through summer 2020 [24].
Though necessary, the touring shutdowns prevented most top artists from selling any tickets or reaching fans directly. Some turned to virtual concerts and livestreams but most delayed live shows entirely until safety guidelines allowed touring to resume. Fans and artists alike hope 2023 marks a full return to live music at previous levels.
Projecting the Future of Live Music
Predicting which artists will sell the most concert tickets in the future requires looking at current popularity, demographic appeal, and career trajectories. Based on touring history and 2022 sales data, these artists seem primed to rank among the top ticket sellers in the years ahead:
Bad Bunny
– Bad Bunny’s World’s Hottest Tour was the top grossing tour globally in 2022. It sold over 1 million tickets just in North America [25].
– The Latin trap superstar’s appeal continues growing rapidly across cultures. Stadium dates are likely worldwide.
Harry Styles
– Styles sold over 1.2 million tickets globally just in the first leg of his Love on Tour in 2022 [26].
– His support among Gen Z and his pop music appeal should ensure massive tour audiences.
Lady Gaga
– Gaga remains one of music’s most theatrical live performers. Her Chromatica Ball Tour sold over 737,000 tickets globally in 2022 [27].
– She could supplement hits with soundtrack songs in future tours, expanding her audience.
BTS
– Though currently on hiatus, when BTS reunites their worldwide fanbase should ensure instant sellouts.
– They could be the first Korean act ever to truly tour U.S. stadiums when dates resume.
Billie Eilish
– Eilish’s arena tour grossed over $100 million in 2022. She could move up to stadiums soon given her growth.
– Her youth and appeal to Gen Z will sustain momentum for years to come.
The pipelines of global pop, K-pop, rap, and contemporary artists remain full of huge acts ready to fill the biggest venues. As new global stars emerge, the concert industry appears poised for growth.
Conclusion
Determining the top ticket selling music artists requires analyzing touring data over time, taking average ticket prices into account, and tracking the transitions between generations of performers. Veterans like The Rolling Stones and U2 along with more contemporary artists like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift represent the gold standards in live concert ticket sales, filling massive venues consistently. Emerging superstars like Bad Bunny and BTS show the demand for live shows remains substantial when top talent hits the road. Though unpredictable events like COVID-19 can derail normal touring temporarily, live concerts remain hugely popular experiences that fully vaccinated artists and fans continue flocking back to in big numbers.