Ongoing History Daily: Which tour has made the most money?

September 8, 2025 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

Touring is a global business these days, and the amount of money that can be made is staggering. Taylor Swift’s Eras tour is currently the biggest of all time, bringing in just under US$2.1 billion over its 149 shows. But let’s focus on rock bands in the top ten.

At number six, we have Bruce Springsteen’s 2023-2025 tour, which is up to US$730 million and counting. In fifth place, we find U2’s 360 Tour of 2009-11. The original gross was US$736 million. Adjusted for today’s dollars, that’s just over US$1 billion.

Elton John is in third spot with US$939 million with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. He played 330 shows between 2018 and 2023. And the highest-grossing rock band tour? Coldplay’s Music of Spheres. It ends this week at Wembley Stadium. Total take for 223 shows will be somewhere north of US$1.3 billion.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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