Billboard Boxscore Top 10 Tours of All Time: Beyoncé Breaks Ground

Over nearly four decades, Billboard Boxscore has charted the biggest tours in the world. From Whitney Houston and Billy Joel in the ‘80s to SZA and Post Malone in 2023, artists have topped Boxscore charts in Vegas theaters, international stadiums and everything in between.

Earlier this year, road warrior Elton John broke the record for the highest grossing tour of all time with the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. His tour began in September 2018, was interrupted by COVID for two years, and returned stronger than ever — and stronger than everyone else. Now, after more than 300 shows, the tour has ended, further extending its lead as the first tour to earn more than $900 million.

Most recently, Beyoncé broke the top 10, as the Renaissance World Tour closed on Oct. 1, 2023. One of four 2023 tours crowding the leaderboard, the Renaissance World Tour breaks up the near-monopoly of British rock acts, edging out Roger Waters‘ The Wall Live.

The updated top 10 tours of all-time include previous record-holders by Ed Sheeran and The Rolling Stones, as well as live legends such as Guns N’ Roses.

John’s triumphant farewell tour is one of four in the top 10 with post-pandemic results, but more upheaval could be on the way. Still on the road, Sheeran recently slipped by the $400 million mark with his current tour, with more shows scheduled for this year. And that’s not to mention post-pandemic treks by P!nk, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and more.

An influx of tours by these artists would not just help to modernize the top 10 but, on the back of Beyoncé’s entrance, would add more diversity, breaking up a current roster that includes seven tours by classic rock acts, eight acts from the U.K. and Ireland, and a top 10 that is almost exclusively white and male.

Below are the 10 highest grossing tours in the Boxscore archives, ranked by total earnings, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. All 10 have grossed more than $500 million. Who will be next to join the club?