Pollstar 2025: Ticket Sales Drop, Beyoncé and Coldplay Lead Top Tours
According to the latest report from Pollstar, the live music industry continues to show resilience following the pandemic’s impacts. In 2025, ticket sales witnessed a modest decline, reflecting the evolving landscape of live entertainment.
Overview of 2025 Ticket Sales
For 2025, global ticket sales totaled 67.3 million, marking a 3.7% drop compared to 2024. Despite this setback, ticket sales surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with nearly 10 million more tickets sold than in 2019. Attendance peaked in 2023 at 70.4 million, but the current figures are only 4.4% lower than that high.
Revenue Trends
Even with the decline in ticket sales, the overall box office revenue remained robust. The total gross for the top 100 tours in 2025 reached $8.9 billion. This figure is still impressive, representing a 60.8% increase from 2019. While down 6.1% from last year’s record of $9.5 billion, 2025 remains a major achievement for the industry.
Average Performance Metrics
- Average gross per show: $2.5 million, a 9.2% increase from 2024.
- Average tickets sold per show: 19,104, marking a record high.
- Average ticket price: decreased to $132.62, down 2.4% from 2024.
Top Touring Artists in 2025
The year’s standout performers included Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Oasis. Each artist demonstrated unique approaches to touring success.
- Beyoncé: Her “Cowboy Carter Tour” performed in nine stadiums, grossing $407.6 million with an average ticket price of $255.
- Oasis: The “Oasis Live ’25 Tour” drew considerable attention, grossing $405.4 million.
- Coldplay: The “Music of the Spheres Tour” grossed $390.5 million from 2.9 million tickets sold, the highest among all artists.
Venue Performance Analysis
Stadiums have become the dominant force for live performances, contributing significantly to the year’s ticket sales and revenue.
- Average gross at stadium shows: $7.11 million, a 19% increase from 2024.
- Average ticket sales per stadium concert: 56,272, up 11% from last year.
- Average ticket price at stadiums: $216.13, an increase from $182.66 in 2024.
North American Market Trends
In North America, the total gross reached $5.8 billion in 2025, representing a 55% increase since 2019. Even so, there were slight declines of 6.6% in gross and 5% in ticket sales compared to 2024.
- Average gross per show: $1.99 million, an increase of 6.8% from last year.
- Average tickets sold per show: 14,805, up 8.6% from 2024.
- Average ticket price: $134.23, down 1.6% from the previous year.
As the industry adapts, understanding these trends will be crucial for artists, promoters, and venue operators alike. The 2025 landscape displays a complex but evolving picture of ticket sales and live performances.
