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Music 2026

Live Music & Touring Statistics

Market data on concert revenue, touring economics, ticket pricing, festival attendance, and the business of live music performances.

30 curated statistics with source citations

$18.51B

US Live Music Market

$2B

Eras Tour Record

$144

Average Ticket Price

75%

Online Ticket Sales

The live music industry has experienced unprecedented growth, with the US market alone reaching $18.51 billion in 2025. Record-breaking tours like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour ($2 billion gross) have demonstrated the enormous commercial potential of live events, while average ticket prices have climbed to $144.

From arena tours to intimate club shows, live music remains the primary income source for most working musicians. With 75% of ticket sales now happening online and dynamic pricing becoming standard, the economics of touring continue to evolve rapidly.

These statistics cover market size, touring revenue, ticket trends, festival data, and the economic impact of the live music ecosystem.

Market Size & Revenue

The live music industry continues to set revenue records.

$18.51 billion

US live music industry market size in 2025.

Source

2025

$35.2 billion

Global live music market revenue in 2025.

Source

2025

9.1%

CAGR for the global live music market through 2030.

Source

2025

$2 billion

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour gross revenue — the highest-grossing tour in history.

Source

2025

50%

Of total music industry revenue comes from live performances and touring.

Source

2025

$11.4 billion

North American concert revenue in 2025, a 12% increase from 2024.

Source

2025

Ticket Pricing & Sales

How ticket prices and purchasing behavior are evolving.

$144

Average concert ticket price in the United States in 2025.

Source

2025

75%

Of concert tickets sold through online platforms by 2026.

Source

2025

31%

Increase in average ticket prices over the past 5 years, outpacing inflation.

Source

2025

$408

Average ticket price for top-10 grossing tours in 2025.

Source

2025

47%

Of ticket buyers say they would pay more for guaranteed seats without dynamic pricing.

Source

2025

$10.8 billion

Secondary (resale) ticket market value in North America.

Source

2025

Touring Economics

The financial reality of life on the road for touring artists.

70-85%

Of total income for mid-level artists that comes from live performances.

Source

2025

$50,000-$100,000

Average touring cost per month for a mid-level artist with a full band and crew.

Source

2025

10-20%

Typical artist share of gross ticket revenue after venue, promoter, and agent fees.

Source

2025

35-50%

Of touring revenue comes from merchandise sales for many independent artists.

Source

2025

$32

Average per-person spending on merchandise at concerts.

Source

2025

24%

Increase in touring costs due to fuel, lodging, and crew labor expenses since 2022.

Source

2025

Music Festivals

Data on the festival circuit and large-scale outdoor events.

800+

Major music festivals held annually in the United States alone.

Source

2025

$3.4 billion

US music festival market revenue in 2025.

Source

2025

32 million

Americans who attended at least one music festival in 2025.

Source

2025

$375

Average general admission festival ticket price for major US festivals.

Source

2025

$1,200

Average total spending per person at a multi-day music festival (ticket, travel, food, lodging).

Source

2025

73%

Of festival attendees are millennials or Gen Z.

Source

2025

Venue & Infrastructure

The physical infrastructure supporting live music.

64,000+

Live music venues operating in the United States.

Source

2025

15%

Of independent music venues that permanently closed between 2020-2024.

Source

2025

$4.2 billion

Invested in new arena construction and renovation in the US from 2023-2025.

Source

2025

20,000

Average capacity of the new generation of multi-purpose entertainment arenas.

Source

2025

82%

Of concertgoers say venue quality significantly impacts their overall experience.

Source

2025

67%

Of venue operators invested in technology upgrades (cashless, mobile entry) in 2025.

Source

2025

Methodology

Live music statistics are sourced from industry-standard reports including Pollstar boxscore data, Billboard touring reports, IFPI, and trade publications. Festival data comes from Eventbrite, Festival Insights, and Nielsen.

Revenue figures represent gross reported numbers. Artist income data reflects industry ranges and varies significantly by career stage, genre, and deal structure. All data points include source citations and publication years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the live music industry?

The US live music market reached $18.51 billion in 2025, with the global market at $35.2 billion. Live performances account for approximately 50% of total music industry revenue and continue to grow at 9.1% annually.

What is the average concert ticket price?

The average concert ticket price in the US is $144 in 2025, a 31% increase over the past 5 years. Top-10 grossing tours average $408 per ticket. The secondary ticket market is worth $10.8 billion in North America.

How much do artists earn from touring?

Live performances account for 70-85% of income for mid-level artists. However, artists typically receive only 10-20% of gross ticket revenue after venue, promoter, and agent fees. Merchandise (averaging $32 per person) is a significant supplementary income source.

What is the highest-grossing tour of all time?

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour holds the record at $2 billion in gross revenue. The tour set numerous box office records and demonstrated the massive commercial potential of strategic, large-scale touring.

How big is the music festival market?

The US music festival market generated $3.4 billion in 2025. Over 800 major festivals are held annually, with 32 million Americans attending at least one. Average total spending per person at a multi-day festival is $1,200.

How are ticket sales changing?

75% of concert tickets are now sold online. Dynamic pricing has become standard for major tours, and 47% of buyers say they would pay more for guaranteed seats without dynamic pricing. The resale market continues to grow alongside primary sales.

What happened to independent music venues?

15% of independent music venues permanently closed between 2020-2024. However, $4.2 billion has been invested in new arena construction, and 67% of remaining venue operators invested in technology upgrades in 2025.

Last updated: February 12, 2026

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