Taylor, Beyoncé & Beyond: Who Could Challenge Elton John’s Boxscore Record?

When? 2023-24

Taylor kicked off The Eras Tour in mid-March and will continue in North America until mid-August. That’s about five months of domestic stadium shows. She recently announced international legs in Asia, Australia, Europe and South America through next year.

What do we know so far? A lot and also very little. From its controversial on-sale to the constant rollout of secret songs, The Eras Tour has dominated headlines. But while its commercial prowess is clear, no actual Boxscore reports have materialized yet.

Can she get there? Probably. When the tour was announced in November, Billboard speculated that it could generate more than $300 million. That’s a huge number, but less than a third of Elton’s total. But that was before more U.S. shows were added, let alone international dates, let alone the federal emergency surrounding the tour’s demand. After the on-sale, Billboard’s North American projection nearly doubled to $591 million. With almost 80 extra dates across four more continents, the literal sky is the limit.

When? 2022-23

After setting the all-time high in 2019 with The ÷ (Divide) Tour, Sheeran returned to the stage last Spring in support of 2021’s = (Equals). After spending the year in Europe, he played 12 shows in Oceania before launching a North American stadium run in May. Simultaneously, he is mounting a whole other tour, the more modest – (Subtract) Tour in support of the newly released namesake album. Both runs are projected to end in September, though the latter clearly isn’t meant for all-time lists like these, given its intentionally intimate theater settings.

What do we know so far? You’re not gonna believe this, but Sheeran is doing quite well. The Mathematics Tour has grossed $417.1 million through July 8, situating itself just outside the all-time top 10. There are 11 North American shows left.

Can he get there? Unlikely. Those 11 remaining shows should add $65-75 million, bumping the tour’s total close to $500 million. If he crosses that threshold, he’ll be the third act with multiple $500M tours, but still more than $250 million away from his previous run, and $400 million away from the Yellow Brick Road. If he announces legs in South America or Asia, or returns for a victory lap in Europe (like he did on The Divide Tour), the conversation changes. But for now, the mathematics are simply not mathing.

When? 2023

Queen Bey kicked off her tour just two months ago, opening in Sweden on May 10. She finished the European leg at the end of June and kicked off the North American shows last weekend. The tour is scheduled to finish in Kansas City on October 1.

What do we know so far? We have about half of the story. The Renaissance World Tour is split into two legs, and the first one grossed $154 million. The North American leg is longer (35 shows vs. 21 in Europe) and most A-listers score bigger grosses stateside due to more elastic ticketing.

Can she get there? If she wants to, yes, but she’d need to add more shows. You can count on Beyoncé doubling up (and then some) her revenues past $300 million. Given the extra shows and higher projected pricing, $400 million is more than likely. But her 56 shows can’t compete with Elton’s 300-plus haul. Like with Sheeran (and many acts on this list), she’d be a contender with a broader international scope.

When? 2022-24

Coldplay kicked things off on March 18, 2022 with a batch of shows in Latin America. Then, they came to the United States. Then, Europe. Then, back to Latin America. Then, in 2023, more in South America. Now, they’re in the middle of another European leg. Next, it’s a return to North America, plus shows in Asia and Australia.

What do we know so far? Through July 6, the Music of the Spheres World Tour has grossed $561.2 million. That puts it in sixth place so far, passing the band’s A Head Full of Dreams Tour ($523.3 million) from 2016-17 to become its highest grossing tour yet. Another 33 shows are left to be reported before its scheduled end on February 4, 2024.

Can they get there? Actually, maybe. Based on the last year of reports, the scheduled 33 shows could add anywhere from $165 million to $215 million, placing it within striking distance of Sheeran and U2’s previous record holders in the $700 million-plus range. But demand for the band’s much-anticipated return to Asia and Australia could open up that window further.

When? 2021-23

Styles was one of the first acts back on stage after venues opened post-pandemic. The sprawling two-year tour will end later this month, closing on July 22 in Italy.

What do we know so far? Right now, Styles is winning this race. Love On Tour has earned $590.3 million through July 8, making it the fourth-highest grossing tour of all time.

Can he get there? Nope. He’s closer than any other act on this list, but only four shows remain to be reported before he goes home to presumably prepare for the next album cycle. Styles upgraded to stadiums for the final European leg and that strategy has worked, highlighted by a $36 million run in London. While Love On Tour won’t cross the finish line, consider his last two months of shows a tease for whatever global stadium plans he has for the near future.

When? 2023-24

The Celebration Tour was scheduled to kick off on July 15 but her recent hospitalization caused a last-minute change. The European leg will begin as planned in mid-October in London, with 16 shows in North America to follow in December and January. The original 41 dates in the U.S. & Canada are postponed indefinitely, presumably for 2024.

What do we know so far? Nada. The tour hasn’t begun. Thus, there are no Boxscore reports to dissect yet.

Can she get there? It’d be difficult. The 84-date trek is an ambitious start but unlike the other acts we’ve previewed, Madonna will be playing arenas instead of stadiums (she’s played stadiums and theaters in the last decade). On one hand, she’ll benefit from exclusivity, potentially pushing ticket prices higher for a (relatively) intimate experience. On the other hand, she’s selling one-third or one-fourth of the tickets each night as Swift, Sheeran and the lot. Of course, Elton and Ed’s record-holders started off in arenas too, so who knows what the future holds for this greatest-hits party.

Plus, so far, she’s only announced dates in North America and Europe, despite robust history in Asia, Australia and Latin America.

When? 2023-25

As one farewell tour ends – on top – another appears in the horizon. The Eagles’ farewell tour kicks off in September. Only 15 shows have been announced so far but the band says its plan is to “perform as many shows in each market as their audience demands” through 2025.

What do we know so far? Same as Madonna, but even less. Without any shows, there is no hard data. More, we can expect the tour to play through ’25, but what does that mean? Where will they play internationally? How long will breaks be between legs?

Can they get there? Based on everything above, it’s hard to say. The Eagles have been a consistent touring presence, so it’s difficult to project the supposed Farewell effect, especially for a band that has played farewell concerts before. Still, with reports of more than $1 billion and 10 million tickets, the Eagles are one of the most successful touring acts ever, and saying goodbye after a half century should spark a great deal of excitement.

When? 2023

Drake and 21 Savage kicked off the tour on July 5 in Chicago. It’s planned to run through October 9.

What do we know so far? Again, little. The tour has started but early reports haven’t come in yet. The last time Drake toured in North America, he scored the highest-grossing rap tour of all time, passing the $100 million mark.

Can he get there? Almost definitely not. To circle the billion-dollar mark, it’s got to be a long world tour and hip-hop artists have historically been hesitant to plot sprawling international routings. Plus, as one of the most successful artists of his era (or ever), Drake tends to keep himself busy releasing an album (or two) every year. Might not leave so much time for an intensive world tour.

When? TBD.

What do we know so far? Literally nothing.

BTS was the first K-Pop act to scale American stadiums, with BLACKPINK and TWICE following this summer. Bad Bunny broke records in 2022 with a one-two punch of tours that brought him from arenas to stadiums and made him the biggest live act of the year. Rihanna hasn’t launched a tour in seven years, building breathless anticipation for what will surely be a triumphant comeback.

The next several years will surely introduce more contenders, both contemporary acts like those named here, and new tours by previous record-holders like U2 and The Rolling Stones.

Can they get there? With endless options for the titular ‘they,’ yes! Records are meant to be broken.