Top Touring Artists of the Millennium: A Look at the Global Touring Economy's Growth and Success
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. Topping the list is Coldplay, 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. Coldplay, on the other hand, leads in tickets sold but follows with a gross of nearly $2.5 billion.
Coldplay's Music of the Spheres tour reached cumulative grosses of $1.39 billion, while The Weeknd's After Hours 'Til Dawn Tour crossed the $1 billion mark. The touring industry continues to thrive, with artists breaking records and reaching new milestones in ticket sales and revenue.
In conclusion, the top touring artists of the millennium have achieved remarkable success in terms of ticket sales and revenue. The industry continues to evolve, with artists like Taylor Swift and Coldplay leading the way in global tours and record-breaking achievements.