Top 15 star-packed tours that made bank fast

Top star-packed tours

Big-name concert tours aren’t just about music, but their primary business. Over the years, artists have taken their shows on the road and pulled in jaw-dropping amounts of money, packing stadiums night after night.

These tours stretch across countries and even continents, drawing millions of fans and setting new records along the way. From pop powerhouses to rock legends, the biggest names in music have turned live shows into billion-dollar events.

Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour (2023–2024)

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour made a record-breaking $2,077,618,725 in ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing tour ever. The tour sold over 10 million tickets, with an average of 67,487 fans at each show.

The total economic impact of the tour was estimated to be over $10 billion, according to the U.S. Travel Association. The Washington Post reported that the average fan spent around $1,300 per show on tickets, travel, outfits, and lodging.

Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (2018–2023)

Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour ran from 2018 to 2023 and made a total of $939.1 million, making it the highest-grossing tour ever at the time. The tour sold 6 million tickets in total.

In North America, it earned $567.7 million and sold 3.5 million tickets. In Europe, it brought in $218 million, with 1.5 million tickets sold. Australia and New Zealand added $134 million with 889,000 tickets sold.

The tour was a massive success across the globe, showing Elton John’s lasting impact on music and fans over a five-year farewell journey.

Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Divide) Tour (2017–2019)

Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide) Tour ran from March 16, 2017, to August 26, 2019, and was a huge hit. It had 255 shows across six continents and grossed $775.5 million, making it the highest-grossing concert tour at the time.

The tour sold over 8.2 million tickets during its 14-leg run. Support acts included The Darkness, James Bay, and Zara Larsson. With packed shows worldwide, the tour was a major global success and proved Ed Sheeran’s superstar status.

U2 – 360° Tour (2009–2011)

U2’s 360° Tour ran from 2009 to 2011 and made $736,421,584, making it the highest-grossing tour in music history. The tour sold 7.2 million tickets across 110 concerts. U2 performed 62 different songs, comprising 2,635 performances during the tour.

It broke the previous record held by the Rolling Stones, whose tour had grossed $558 million. With its vast crowds, massive stage setup, and global reach, the U2 360° Tour was a significant moment in live music history and showed the band’s lasting power and worldwide popularity.

Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022–2023)

Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour, which started in March 2022, has become the highest-grossing rock tour in history, making over $945.7 million. The tour has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide, with over 8.8 million from concert grosses alone.

It has played shows across five continents, including 16 in Asia, where the average ticket price was $146.43. The overall average ticket price for the tour is around $110.46.

This record-breaking tour has passed big rock tours like Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road and U2’s 360° Tour, making it a significant moment in music history.

Harry Styles – Love On Tour (2021–2023)

Harry Styles’ Love On Tour ran from September 2021 to August 2023 and grossed about $681 million, selling 5.8 million tickets. The tour included stops in Las Vegas, Asia, and Europe, with many shows in big stadiums like Wembley Stadium and Principality Stadium.

It featured over 152 shows, including 44 in 2022 that made $157.3 million. Ticket prices increased during the tour, from an average of $131.69 in 2021 to $204.78 in 2022.

Guns N’ Roses – Not in This Lifetime… Tour (2016–2019)

The “Not in This Lifetime…” tour by Guns N’ Roses ran from 2016 to 2019 and grossed around $774.1 million, selling 9.6 million tickets across 453 shows. It was one of the highest-grossing tours ever and reached millions of fans on five continents, including Europe, North America, and Australia.

This tour marked the first time Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan toured together since the 1993 Use Your Illusion Tour.

The most significant box office success came from two nights at London Stadium, making $17.6 million. The tour was a substantial financial hit and one of the top-grossing tours in music history.

Beyoncé – Renaissance World Tour (2023)

Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour grossed around $579.8 million and became among the highest-grossing tours ever. The tour ran from May to October, visiting 39 cities in 17 countries and selling 2.8 million tickets.

It set records, including the highest one-month gross with $127.6 million in July and $179 million in August. The tour also became the highest-grossing tour by a female artist, surpassing Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet Tour.

Its total economic impact in the U.S. was estimated at $4.5 billion, according to The New York Times, showing the massive cultural and financial influence of the tour.

The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang Tour (2005–2007)

The Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang Tour ran from 2005 to 2007 and made $558,255,524, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour, beating U2’s Vertigo Tour. The tour had over 147 concerts across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

It included shows in stadiums, arenas, and outdoor festivals. A highlight was a free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, with about 1.5 million people attending. Other significant stops included Madison Square Garden and Twickenham Stadium.

The Rolling Stones – No Filter Tour (2017–2021)

The Rolling Stones’ No Filter Tour ran from 2017 to 2021 and grossed $415.6 million, selling 2,290,871 tickets. The tour had several legs, including Europe in 2017-2018, North America in 2019, and a final U.S. leg in 2021.

The opening European leg made $120 million, the 2018 leg brought in $117.8 million, the 2019 North American shows earned $177.8 million, and the 2021 leg made $115.5 million in just two months.

Roger Waters – The Wall Live (2010–2013)

Roger Waters’ The Wall Live tour ran from 2010 to 2013 and earned about $460 million from 220 shows, selling over 4.1 million tickets. It became the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo artist. The tour featured his famous album The Wall and was performed across the globe.

The first leg in 2010-2011 included 120 shows and grossed more than $191 million. With massive crowds and strong ticket sales, the tour broke records and was a significant success.

AC/DC – Black Ice World Tour (2008–2010)

AC/DC’s Black Ice World Tour ran from 2008 to 2010, grossing over $441.6 million and drawing over 5 million fans. The tour lasted 20 months, covered 108 cities across 28 countries, and became the second highest-grossing tour ever at the time, just behind The Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang Tour.

It sparked a massive fan response, leading to added shows and a return to Argentina after 13 years. Highlights included a performance at the 57th Grammy Awards and a significant show in Buenos Aires.

Metallica – WorldWired Tour (2016–2019)

Metallica’s WorldWired Tour ran from 2016 to 2019, grossing over $538 million from 143 shows across four continents.

The tour sold over 4 million tickets and featured songs from their album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct, along with classic hits like “Master of Puppets” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

A 2019 leg alone brought in $14.4 million and sold 123,792 tickets. The 2017 North American leg included supporting acts like Avenged Sevenfold, Volbeat, and Gojira. With its global reach, strong ticket sales, and a mix of new and old songs, the tour was a massive success for the band.

Madonna – Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008–2009)

Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet Tour ran from 2008 to 2009, grossing at least $407.7 million and selling over 3.5 million tickets. It was her first tour under a $120 million, 10-year deal with Live Nation.

The tour included 85 shows in 31 countries. It started in Cardiff on August 23, 2008, with legs in Europe, North America, and South America. In 2009, she added a second leg in European countries she hadn’t toured before.

In other news, Stevie Nicks canceled tour dates after fracturing shoulder. Find out why.

Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball World Tour (2012–2013)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Wrecking Ball World Tour ran from 2012 to 2013 and grossed $210.2 million from 81 shows in 66 cities. It was one of the highest-grossing tours of 2012.

The tour featured a strong European leg, with the last eight shows in Europe alone bringing in $27 million. Springsteen played in packed stadiums and arenas worldwide, mixing new songs with fan favorites.

The tour’s broad reach, high earnings, and energetic performances made it one of the most significant and memorable tours of Springsteen’s long and successful career which began decades earlier with Bruce Springsteen’s first Billboard chart hit.

Have you attended any of these concerts in person? Let us know in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.