Top 20 Worldwide Concert Tours of 2013

The global concert industry had a record year with the Top 20 Tours combining for $2.43 billion in primary ticket sales, a huge $470.6 million or 24% increase over the $1.96 billion generated in 2012. 

Photo: Owen Sweeney / Invision / AP
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

There were 13 tours that grossed over $100 million in 2013.  That compares with only six tours hitting that mark in 2012.

Bon Jovi, despite touring without Richie Sambora, did both the highest grossing tour of the year and of its career at $259.5 million.  Taylor Swift did the top grossing tour of North America but Bon Jovi’s enduring overseas popularity helped pump up its overall numbers by nearly double that of the pop-country darling.

One Direction and Bruno Mars are the two newcomers to the Top 20 and both are expected to do even bigger tours in 2014.

Attached is a pdf of the Top 20 Worldwide Concert Tours chart for calendar 2013.  The rankings are based on data reported directly to Pollstar and include our exclusive projections on any missing shows in order to provide the most comprehensive possible evaluation of the industry.

Pollstar’s complete 2013 Year End research and statistical charts package will be available January 9.