Over nearly four decades, Billboard Boxscore has charted the biggest tours in the world. From Whitney Houston and Billy Joel in the ‘80s to SZA and Post Malone in 2023, artists have topped Boxscore charts in Vegas theaters, international stadiums, and everything in between.
Earlier this year, road warrior Elton John broke the record for the highest grossing tour of all time with the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. His tour began in September 2018, was interrupted by COVID for two years, and returned stronger than ever — and stronger than everyone else. Now, after more than 300 shows, the tour has ended, further extending its lead as the first tour to earn more than $900 million.
Most recently, Coldplay follows The Rolling Stones to become the second artist to double up in the top 10, and the second to mount two $500M tours, as the Music of the Spheres Tour spars passed $550 million. That pushes AC/DC‘s Black Ice World Tour from 2008-10 to No. 11 with $441.6 million.
Plus, Harry Styles jumps across the top 10 with Love on Tour. After a string of record-breaking mini-residencies in North America, shows in Oceania, Asia, and a stadium run in Europe push him beyond the $600 million mark.
The updated top 10 tours of all-time include previous record-holders by Ed Sheeran and The Rolling Stones, as well as live legends such as Guns N’ Roses.
John’s triumphant farewell tour is one of three in the top 10 with post-pandemic results, but more upheaval could be on the way. Still on the road, Sheeran recently slipped by the $400 million mark with his current tour, with more shows scheduled for this year. And that’s not to mention newly launched 2023 treks by Beyoncé, Metallica, Taylor Swift and more.
An influx of tours by these artists would not just help to modernize the top 10 but would add dashes of diversity, breaking up a current roster that includes seven tours by classic rock acts, nine acts from the U.K. and Ireland, and a top 10 that is exclusively white and male.
Below are the 10 highest grossing tours in the Boxscore archives, ranked by total earnings, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. All 10 have grossed more than $400 million. Who will be next to join the club?
https://www.billboard.com/lists/billboard-boxscore-top-10-tours-all-time-elton-john-harry-styles/