Top Touring Artists of the Millennium: Ticket Sales and Revenue Rankings
The global touring economy has seen significant growth in recent years, with tours grossing over a billion dollars becoming more common. Pollstar, a concert trade publication, recently released a list of the top 25 "Most Popular Touring Artists of the Millennium" based on ticket sales from 2001 to 2025. Coldplay leads the list with 24.8 million tickets sold, followed by U2 and Ed Sheeran.
Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift round out the top five, with Swift being the only woman in the top 10. Other notable artists on the list include Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and Elton John. Pink, Beyoncé, and Madonna are the only other women in the top 25.
It's important to note that the number of tickets sold is different from the money grossed. While Swift's Eras Tour became the first to cross the billion-dollar mark in 2023, she later broke her own record by grossing $2.2 billion. In total, Swift has grossed over $3.1 billion in the new millennium, surpassing Coldplay in terms of total earnings.
Coldplay, on the other hand, leads in terms of tickets sold with nearly 25 million, followed by a gross of almost $2.5 billion. The Weeknd's After Hours 'Til Dawn Tour also recently crossed the billion-dollar mark, showcasing the continued success of top touring artists in the industry.
In conclusion, the top touring artists of the last two decades have seen immense success in terms of ticket sales and revenue generation. The list highlights the popularity and profitability of live music events, with artists like Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd leading the way in the global touring economy.