Pollstar has dropped its massive 25 year snapshot of the most successful touring artists of the millennium, and metal fans have every right to flex.
Two of heavy music’s most enduring giants, Metallica and Iron Maiden have officially landed in the Top 25, standing shoulder to shoulder with the biggest stadium acts on the planet.
Metallica lead the charge at No. 8, an impressive feat for a band that has intentionally taken long breaks and controlled their touring output.
According to Pollstar, the metal legends have sold 15,567,194 tickets since 2001, pulling nearly 28,000 fans per show. In an era where ticket prices can feel like a personal attack, their $93.56 average almost reads like charity, across 562 shows they’ve grossed $1.456 billion, reinforcing what fans already know, when Metallica tour, they dominate.
Iron Maiden
Further down the list, but just as vital to metal’s legacy, Iron Maiden land at No. 19.
Their touring machine has always been more like an airborne military unit than a rock band, which makes their numbers track.
With 10,070,915 tickets sold, 16,243 fans per show, and $716,639,584 in gross revenue, Maiden continue to prove that theatrical, high-concept metal still commands deep and loyal crowds.
At $71.16 per ticket, they’re one of the most affordable bands on the entire list, despite flying a literal jet around the world.
Industry giants
Outside metal, the upper tier of the rankings is dominated by pop giants and generational stadium fillers, Coldplay take the No. 1 slot with 24.8 million tickets sold, followed by U2.
From there it’s a predictable parade of global heavyweights in Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Bon Jovi and Elton John.
Classic rock, jam bands and crossover icons also hold strong positions, including The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Eagles, Phish, Roger Waters and Paul McCartney, showing that longevity still rules the road.
The big picture? Even in an era obsessed with streaming metrics, touring remains the ultimate test of cultural endurance and metal’s biggest bands are still among the world’s most unshakeable draws.
The 25 Most Popular Touring Artists Of The Millenium
(Tickets Sold + Total Gross in USD)
Coldplay — 24.8M • $2.5B
U2 — 20.2M • $2.18B
Ed Sheeran — 19.6M • $1.75B
Dave Matthews Band — 19.6M • $1.0B
Taylor Swift — 18.9M • $3.1B+
Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band — 18.6M • $2.16B
Kenny Chesney — 18.2M • $1.3B
Metallica — 15.6M • $1.46B
Bon Jovi — 13.9M • $1.0B
Elton John — 13.8M • $1.3B
P!nk — 13.0M • $1.44B
The Rolling Stones — 11.5M • $1.8B
Beyoncé — 11M • $1.6B
André Rieu — 10.5M • $600M
Madonna — 10.2M • $1.4B
Guns N’ Roses — 10.7M • $1.25B
Eagles — 10.3M • $1.3B
Phish — 9.7M • $550M
Iron Maiden — 10.1M • $716M
Luke Bryan — 9.5M • $750M
Roger Waters — 9.2M • $1.1B
Paul McCartney — 8.9M • $1.2B
Toby Keith — 8.5M • $520M
Billy Joel — 8.1M • $1.05B
Depeche Mode — 7.9M • $650M
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