The Most Successful Tour of All Time, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the tour you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 20, 2024 07:00

Fans often debate which concert tours truly marked the pinnacle of live music experiences. By evaluating the success of these tours not just in revenue, but in audience attendance and critical acclaim, a clearer picture can emerge. Comparing these metrics helps to reveal which tours had the farthest-reaching impacts, both culturally and financially, across the globe. This ongoing tally allows music enthusiasts to cast their votes, grafting their personal concert experiences onto the broader historical landscape. Each vote contributes to a more dynamic understanding of what makes a tour resonate with audiences. Through this community-driven ranking, a rich tapestry of live music history is woven, highlighting trends, milestones, and transformative moments in the industry.

What Is the Most Successful Tour of All Time?

1

78
votes
Luka Krstulović · CC BY-SA 2.5

U2 - 360° Tour (2009-2011)

U2

Grossing over $736 million, this tour was the highest-grossing of all time, with 110 shows in total.
The U2 - 360° Tour (2009-2011) was a highly successful concert tour by the Irish rock band U2. It was launched in support of their twelfth studio album 'No Line on the Horizon' and became the highest-grossing tour of all time at that point.

Start Date: June 30, 2009

End Date: July 30, 2011

Total Shows: 110

Attendance: 7.2 million

Gross Revenue: $736 million
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28
votes
Ed Sheeran - ÷ Tour (2017-2019)

Ed Sheeran

This tour grossed over $776 million, making it the highest-grossing solo artist tour of all time.
The Ed Sheeran - ÷ Tour was a highly successful concert tour by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The tour supported his third studio album, ÷ (pronounced 'divide'). Spanning from 2017 to 2019, the tour took place across multiple continents and attracted massive crowds worldwide.

Tour Duration: 2017-2019

Album Supported: ÷ (pronounced 'divide')

Creator: Ed Sheeran

Continent Coverage: Multiple (North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania)

Total Shows: Over 250
3

17
votes
The Rolling Stones - A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007)

The Rolling Stones

Grossing over $558 million, this tour was the highest-grossing tour by a rock band at the time.
The Rolling Stones - A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007) was a concert tour by the British rock band The Rolling Stones to support their album 'A Bigger Bang'. It is considered one of the most successful tours of all time, both in terms of attendance and revenue.

Duration: August 2005 to August 2007

Number of shows: 147

Total attendance: 4.68 million

Revenue: $558 million

Average attendance per show: 31,837
4

24
votes
Bitey · CC BY-SA 3.0

AC/DC - Black Ice World Tour (2008-2010)

AC/DC

This tour grossed over $441 million, making it the highest-grossing tour by a hard rock band.
The AC/DC - Black Ice World Tour (2008-2010) was a highly successful concert tour by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was launched in support of their 15th studio album 'Black Ice' released in 2008. The tour spanned over two years and covered various continents, making it one of the most successful tours of all time.

Year: 2008-2010

Album: Black Ice

Genre: Hard Rock

Duration: 2 years

Continents covered: Various
5

13
votes
Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-2009)

Madonna

Grossing over $408 million, this tour was the highest-grossing tour by a female artist.
The Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour (2008-2009) was a concert tour by American singer Madonna to promote her eleventh studio album, 'Hard Candy'. It is considered one of the most successful tours of all time.

Tour duration: August 23, 2008 – September 2, 2009

Number of shows: 85

Gross revenue: $408 million USD

Attendance: 3.5 million

Concert film release: March 2010
6

9
votes
The Police - Reunion Tour (2007-2008)

The Police

Grossing over $340 million, this tour was the highest-grossing tour by a band reuniting after a long hiatus.
The Police - Reunion Tour (2007-2008) was a highly successful concert tour by the British rock band The Police. It marked the band's reunion after a hiatus of 23 years. The tour consisted of performances across North America, Europe, and other parts of the world, attracting millions of fans and selling out numerous stadiums and arenas.

Duration: 2007-2008

Reunion after: 23 years

Tour type: Concert tour

Locations: North America, Europe, worldwide

Audience size: Millions of fans
7

11
votes
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Wrecking Ball Tour (2012-2013)

Grossing over $345 million, this tour was the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist at the time.
The 'Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Wrecking Ball Tour (2012-2013)' was a highly successful concert tour by American rock musician Bruce Springsteen and his backing band, the E Street Band. The tour was in support of Springsteen's seventeenth studio album, 'Wrecking Ball', which was released in 2012. It was a global tour that spanned over a year and included multiple legs in North America, Europe, and various other parts of the world.

Tour Duration: March 18, 2012 - September 21, 2013

Number of Shows: 137

Total Attendance: 3.4 million

Total Gross Revenue: $345 million

Highest Grossing Show: $13.6 million (Rochester Hills, Michigan)
8

7
votes
Matt Boulton · CC BY-SA 2.0

Guns N' Roses - Not in This Lifetime... Tour (2016-2019)

Guns N' Roses

Grossing over $563 million, this tour was the highest-grossing tour by a rock band in the 2010s.
The Guns N' Roses - Not in This Lifetime... Tour (2016-2019) was a highly successful concert tour by the American rock band Guns N' Roses. It marked the reunion of lead vocalist Axl Rose, guitarist Slash, and bassist Duff McKagan, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

Duration: 2016-2019

Number of Shows: 159

Total Attendance: 5,371,891

Gross Revenue: $584.2 million

Highest Grossing Show: $11.6 million
9

7
votes
Roger Waters - The Wall Live (2010-2013)

Roger Waters

Grossing over $459 million, this tour was the highest-grossing solo artist tour in the 2010s.
Roger Waters - The Wall Live (2010-2013) was a music tour by British musician Roger Waters, former bassist of the legendary band Pink Floyd. The tour featured a live performance of the iconic concept album 'The Wall' released by Pink Floyd in 1979. The show included a massive wall constructed on stage, featuring elaborate visuals and animations that brought the album's narrative to life. The tour was renowned for its theatrical and immersive experience, combining music, storytelling, and powerful visuals to create an unforgettable spectacle.

Duration: 2010-2013

Album: The Wall

Genre: Progressive rock

Number of shows: 219

Attendance: over 4.5 million
10

5
votes
Pink Floyd - Division Bell Tour (1994)

Pink Floyd

Grossing over $250 million, this tour was the highest-grossing tour by a rock band in the 1990s.
The Pink Floyd - Division Bell Tour (1994) was a concert tour by the British rock band Pink Floyd to support their album 'The Division Bell'. The tour is widely regarded as one of the most successful tours of all time, both in terms of attendance and revenue.

Tour duration: March 30, 1994 – October 29, 1994

Total shows: 111

Total attendance: over 5.5 million

Total revenue: over $100 million

Concert locations: Europe, North America, and South America

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Discussion

Ranking factors for successful tour

Overall ticket sales

The number of tickets sold is a key indicator of a tour's success.
Total revenue generated

The total amount of money generated from ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and other sources is another important factor.
Venues and location

The size and location of the venues where the tour was held can also have a significant impact on its success.
Length of the tour

Tours that run for an extended period of time and cover multiple cities or countries are generally considered more successful.
Fan engagement

The level of fan engagement, such as social media activity, fan attendance at events, and overall buzz around the tour, can also be a factor.
Critical acclaim

Positive reviews from critics and industry professionals can also contribute to a tour's success.
Artist popularity

The popularity and draw of the artist or group performing on the tour is also a significant factor in determining its success.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful tour of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or tour is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1446 views
197 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each tour once every 24 hours. The rank of each tour is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful tour of all time

When it comes to the world of music, tours are the ultimate way for artists to connect with their fans and showcase their talents on a global stage. However, not all tours are created equal. Some have become legendary, breaking records and earning millions of dollars in revenue. So, what is the most successful tour of all time? It's a difficult question to answer definitively, as there are many factors to consider, such as the number of shows, ticket prices, and overall revenue generated. However, there are a few tours that stand out as particularly impressive. One contender is U2's 360° Tour, which ran from 2009 to 2011 and grossed over $736 million. This tour featured a massive, 360-degree stage and set a new standard for stadium concerts. Another potential candidate is The Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang Tour, which ran from 2005 to 2007 and grossed over $558 million. This tour saw the band playing to over 4.5 million people and was one of the highest-grossing tours in history at the time. Of course, these are just a few examples, and there are many other tours that could be considered the most successful of all time. Regardless of which tour takes the crown, it's clear that live music has the power to bring people together and create unforgettable experiences that will last a lifetime.