Pollstar recently unveiled its list of the top 25 “Most Popular Touring Artists of the Millennium,” ranked by ticket sales from January 1, 2001, through the end of 2025.
According to the trade publication, Metallica came in at No. 8 on the list, selling more than 15.5 million tickets and grossing more than $1.45 billion across the last 25 years of touring. Bon Jovi was listed after Metallica at No. 9, with 13.9 million tickets sold and an estimated 1.28 billion in revenue.
Further down the list is Guns N’ Roses at No. 16 with 10.7 million tickets sold and $1.09 billion in profits, while Iron Maiden came in at No. 19 with 10 million tickets sold and $716 million in gross revenue.
While many might have expected Taylor Swift to dominate Pollstar’s list, it was Coldplay who ultimately claimed the top spot. Over the last two and a half decades, Coldplay’s tours sold 24.8 million tickets and grossed $2.48 billion.
Following Coldplay is U2 at No. 2 (20.2 million tickets and $2.18 billion), Ed Sheeran at No. 3 (19.6 million tickets and $1.74 billion), Dave Matthews Band at No. 4 (19.5 million tickets and $1.12 billion), and Taylor Swift at No. 5 (18.8 million tickets and $3.12 billion).
Other notable acts who made Pollstar’s list include Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (No. 6), Elton John (No. 10), P!nk (No. 11), The Rolling Stones (No. 12), Beyoncé (No. 13), Madonna (No. 15), Eagles (No. 17), Phish (No. 18), Roger Waters (No. 21), Paul McCartney (No. 22), Billy Joel (No. 24), and Depeche Mode (No. 25).
