Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour – Elton John
Finishing his decades-long career with a bang, Elton John can proudly say that his farewell tour is the highest-grossing tour of all time. Earning a whopping $910,400,000, the Rocket Man singer embarked on his round-the-world tour in 2018, giving fans one last chance to see him sing live before he hangs up his mic for good later this year.
The ÷ (Divide) Tour – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran held the title of having the highest-grossing tour for quite a while, only being beaten by the living legend that is Elton John. Amassing $776 million is an impressive feat, especially when you consider that Sheeran forgoes tour dramatics for stripped-down acoustics, putting more focus on his talents.
The Eras Tour – Taylor Swift
The Blank Space singer has caused a global frenzy with her Eras Tour, with thousands of fans camping outside of stadiums just to hear her heavenly vocals. Although Swift is still in the midst of touring, experts predict that by the time the Eras Tour wraps up, the singer will have acquired over $1 billion – making it the first tour to achieve such a feat.
U2 360° Tour – U2
As the name suggests, the 360° Tour used next-level technology to provide fans with a 360° view of the Irish rockers, meaning there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. U2’s impressive catalog meant that the band amassed a huge $736 million, selling every single ticket to every single show.
Not in This Lifetime… Tour – Guns N’ Roses
Comeback tours are bound to amass millions, with fans desperate to see their favorite band take to the stage one last time. Guns N’ Roses made a whopping $584 million from their Not In This Lifetime tour, running from 2016 until 2019. It was the band’s first tour since 1993 that had classic members Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan all perform together.
A Bigger Bang Tour – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones caused a big bang indeed when they embarked on their global tour, generating $558 million in revenue. The band clearly enjoyed their two-year stint, releasing an album of live recordings from their Rio de Janeiro date. At the time, it was the highest-grossing tour on record.
No Filter Tour – The Rolling Stones
Solidifying themselves as one of the greatest bands to ever walk the Earth, The Rolling Stones once again earned hundreds of millions while touring, despite COVID-19 and numerous medical issues causing lengthy delays. With only 58 dates, The Rolling Stones amassed a massive $547 million.
A Head Full of Dreams Tour – Coldplay
Coldplay’s mix of elaborate stage design, fist-pumping anthems, and stadium-filling production led to a total gross of $524 million. With over five million fans showing up to see Chris Martin and co belt out their adrenalin-inducing tunes, the tour will go down in Coldplay’s history as a career-high.
Love on Tour – Harry Styles
Despite being a newbie compared to other pop legends, Styles finds himself in the company of powerhouses like Elton John and Ed Sheeran. Earning $501,264,210 since the tour began in 2021, the global trek is the Watermelon Sugar singer’s second tour to date, making his career one worth keeping an eye on.
Sticky & Sweet Tour – Madonna
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Madonna has the title of the highest-grossing female tour, earning a huge $408 million. The Queen of Pop earned the impressive wad of cash in just over a year, though it didn’t come without any controversy – when performing in London, Madonna was fined £135,000 for exceeding curfew limitations.
The Wall Live – Roger Waters
The Wall Live headlined by Roger Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd, was the first time Pink Floyd’s classic album The Wall was performed in its entirety in over 20 years. At the time, Waters broke Madonna’s record for being the highest-grossing tour for a solo musician. In total, the tour grossed $458.6 million.
Black Ice World Tour – AC/DC
The Black Ice World Tour saw AC/DC take to the stage for the first time in seven years. The demand was high among rock fans, with the gigs wracking up $441,121,000. The Australian dates were fastest selling concerts in the history of the country, with extra dates being added due to ensure every Aussie got to see the band in action.
WorldWired Tour – Metallica
Generating a huge $426.9 million, Metallica’s celebration of their 10th studio album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct took the world by storm. With a total of 159 shows, the band had plans to continue their tour in 2019. However, due to lead vocalist James Hetfield’s issues with alcohol abuse, the shows were canceled.
Beautiful Trauma World Tour – P!nk
Pop-punk powerhouse P!nk sold an incredible 3 million tickets for her Beautiful Trauma Tour, resulting in a total gross of $397.3 million. At the time, it was the second-highest grossing tour of all time for a female soloist, with her acrobatic antics and powerful vocals ensuring that every show was a sight to behold.
The Joshua Tree Tours 2017 and 2019 – U2
U2 embarked on two worldwide tours in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their 1987 album, The Joshua Tree. Fans were clearly nostalgic for the rockers’ classic record, helping them to amass a whopping $390.8 million. Originally planned as a handful of one-off shows, the gigs quickly escalated into stadium-filling gigs that spanned the entire globe.
Vertigo Tour – U2
Consisting of a mix of arenas and stadiums between March 2005 and December 2006, the Vertigo Tour featured a stripped-down, intimate stage design that made fans feel closer to the band. The tour sold just under 5 million tickets during its 131-date run, bringing the Irish rockers a huge $389 million.
24K Magic World Tour – Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars sprinkled a bit of magic around the world when he embarked on his 2017 tour. With only three albums under his belt, Mars managed to amass an impressive $367 million from 215 gigs. The 24K Magic Tour was praised by critics, with Mars’ alluring showmanship skills being a key highlight.
World Tour – Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood
This tour was Garth Brooks’ first in 13 years. It was launched in support of his 2014 album, Man Against Machine, and continued through to the release of his 2016 album, Gunslinger. Demand was so high that Brooks added multiple dates, even performing two shows in one night in some cases, resulting in a gross of $364.3 million.
+-=÷x Tour – Ed Sheeran
Despite the array of symbols, Ed’s mega-tour was known as The Mathematics Tour, celebrating all of the singer’s past chart-topping albums. With just 88 dates around the world, the gigs proved to be hugely popular with fans, amassing an impressive total gross of $348,116,073.
Reputation Stadium Tour – Taylor Swift
When Taylor Swift’s reputation had never been worse, Taylor did what she does best – she wrote an album about it. The songstress took the tour to stadiums around the globe, featuring a gigantic snake as a backdrop – a nickname she’d earned that was originally meant as an insult. Amassing $345.7 million, it seems that Taylor had the last laugh.
The Police Reunion Tour – The Police
Three decades deep into their career, The Police took to stages around the world. With a revenue that surpassed $360 million, the group clearly only grew in popularity as the years ticked on by. Tickets for the entire British leg completely sold out within 30 minutes. Worldwide, around 1.5 million tickets were sold.
Wrecking Ball World Tour – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
The Wrecking Ball Tour traveled across 26 countries – the most ever for a Springsteen tour. The tour featured over 215 different songs, including many fan-favorites that were often left neglected. Generating a gross total of $340.6 million, it became the second-highest grossing tour of 2012.
The Voodoo Lounge Tour – The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger claimed that The Stones encountered many naysayers, claiming that the band “just couldn’t do it anymore”. They had the last laugh, as The Voodoo Lounge Tour went on to gross $320 million – equivalent to just over $600 million in today’s money. Around 6.5 million people attended The Voodoo Lounge, making it one of the most successful tours of all time.
The Licks Tour – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are one of the most successful touring bands to ever grace the Earth, with every tour amassing millions of dollars. The Licks Tour is no exception, bringing in a total revenue of $311 million. At the time of the tour in 2002, it was the second-most successful tour of all time, only behind their own Voodoo Lounge Tour.
The River Tour – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
The River Tour celebrated 35 years of Springsteen’s album, The River. The slew of gigs became the highest-grossing tour of 2016, amassing a total of $306.5 million by the tour’s end. Many shows lasted over three and a half hours, with roughly 33 songs performed each night.
The MDNA Tour – Madonna
Madonna’s MDNA is particularly impressive as it only featured 88 dates – yet, somehow, it still managed to amass an incredible $305.2 million. As ever with Madonna, the tour caused controversy, mainly due to its depiction of firearms, nudity, and violence. An Australian leg was originally planned for the tour, but was ultimately canceled.
Long Road Out of Eden Tour – Eagles
The Long Road Out of Eden Tour coincided with the band’s album of the same name, starting in 2008 and ending in 2011. The group toured alongside the Dixie Chicks, with Keith Urban making appearances at select shows. It’s thought the the slew of gigs amassed a gross total of $293 million.
Where We Are Tour – One Direction
The Where We Are Tour marked One Direction’s first all-stadium stint, with an average attendance of 49,848 per show. Generating $290.2 million from a mere 69 shows, the tour was the band’s last outing before member Zayn Malik called it quits, marking an end of an era for the boy band.
Taking Chances World Tour – Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s ninth tour celebrated the singer’s 22nd studio album, Taking Chances. The tour amassed a fortune of $279.2 million, making it one of the most successful tours of the 2000s. Unfortunately, the gigs may remain as Celine Dion’s career peak, as the singer is currently battling stiff person syndrome.
Out There! Tour – Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney’s Out There! Tour was a must-see for any music fan, with the singer performing hits by The Beatles and Wings, as well as his solo tracks. Making $275 million from 91 shows, each date was announced at varying times, building up hype for each and every gig.
Bridges to Babylon Tour – The Rolling Stones
With a total of 97 dates, The Rolling Stones hit up North America, South America, Japan, and Europe. Despite five shows being canceled – and a further five being postponed – The Bridges to Babylon Tour amassed $274 million, and cemented the Stone’s as one of the greatest rock groups of all time.
Because We Can Tour – Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi’s Because We Can Tour was the last to feature guitarist Richie Sambora, as he left the band during the initial leg, informing the band’s management just hours before the show was due to take place. Despite the initial hiccup, the tour went on to gross a huge $269.5 million.
Purpose World Tour – Justin Bieber
Never underestimate Justin Bieber and his Beliebers. The Canadian singer’s third tour created $256 million in revenue – an impressive feat, especially so early into Bieber’s career. Despite the tour’s resounding success, the final 14 dates of the tour were canceled due to the singer’s mental health issues.
The Formation World Tour – Beyoncé
The Formation Tour marked a career-high for Beyoncé, generating a massive $256 million from just 49 shows. The all-stadium tour featured a 60 foot tall rotating LED cuboid, a treadmill runway, and a secondary stage – meaning that there wasn’t a bad seat in the house.
On The Run II World Tour – Beyoncé and Jay Z
The husband and wife duo of Beyoncé and Jay Z saw an attendance of 2.170 million people, generating a gross revenue of $253.5 million. Filled with hits from both of their careers, the concerts were a visual spectacle, depicting the gritty reality of their long love affair.
History of The Eagles Live in Concert – Eagles
The Eagles Live in Concert saw the band perform at 142 dates, grossing $253 million. Over 2 million tickets were sold, with the band hitting up North America, Europe, and Oceania. It was the last tour to feature Glenn Frey before his death in 2016.
The 1989 World Tour – Taylor Swift
As with all of her tours, Taylor Swift was deeply involved in the production of The 1989 World Tour – being particularly meticulous about the stage design. Swift’s involvement served her well, bringing in $250.7 million from 85 dates, becoming the world’s highest-grossing tour of 2015.
Living Proof (The Farewell Tour) – Cher
Originally planned as a 59-date leg across North America, Cher added more and more dates – ultimately performing at a record-breaking 325 dates. The Farewell Tour grossed roughly $250 million – earning Cher the Guinness World Record for the “Highest Grossing Tour by a Female Artist” at the time.
The Division Bell Tour – Pink Floyd
The final concert by Pink Floyd, The Division Bell Tour saw a gross of just under $250 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours of the time. The tour was a spectacle, featuring more special effects than any of the band’s prior gigs. Following the tour’s conclusion, the group quietly disbanded.
The Monster Ball Tour – Lady Gaga
On just the second tour of her career, Lady Gaga amassed a whopping $227.4 million. The Monster Ball Tour broke a record for being the most successful tour featuring a debut headlining artist, cementing Gaga as one of the greatest pop stars of our time.