Pollstar Unveils Most Popular Touring Artists of the Millennium: Coldplay, U2, and Ed Sheeran Lead the Pack
Pollstar, the leading publication in the live concert industry, has unveiled its list of the Most Popular Touring Artists of the Millennium, with Coldplay, U2, and Ed Sheeran taking the top spots based on box office data from 2001 to 2025. Coldplay leads the pack with 24.8 million tickets sold and nearly $2.5 billion in revenue, while Taylor Swift boasts the highest total gross revenue of over $3.1 billion, driven by her Eras Tour, despite starting later than others.
The Top 10 list also includes iconic acts like Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Kenny Chesney, Metallica, Bon Jovi, and Elton John, showcasing the enduring appeal of rock and country music. The exponential growth of the live concert industry is evident in the premium pricing that has significantly boosted the financial power of top artists, as seen in the difference between ticket volume and total revenue. Chesney expressed his astonishment at playing to over 18 million people since 2001, highlighting the passion of his fans.
The Top 25 ranking further emphasizes the dominance of established acts like The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, and Paul McCartney, alongside high-grossing female headliners such as Taylor Swift, P!NK, Beyoncé, and Madonna. This list sets the stage for Pollstar’s 2025 year-end special issue, celebrating a quarter-century of growth in ticket sales and box office revenue, underscoring the immense impact of live entertainment in the new millennium.