News December 18, 2018

Report: Frontier Touring, Bluesfest, Marvel Stadium rank Top 10 for ticket sales globally

Senior Journalist, B2B

In a remarkable achievement, Australia’s Frontier Touring, Bluesfest in Byron Bay and Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium all ranked in the global Top 10 for ticket sales through 2018.

US-based live music trade bible Pollstar released its best achievers lists overnight in various categories.

Throughout the year, the worldwide concert industry clocked up a record-setting US$10.4 billion spent across 152.1 million tickets in the 12 months.

On top of the list was Ed Sheeran, whose Divide tour set a new record for a calendar year, with $432.4 million in ticket sales.

The Top 10 tours collectively generated $2 billion – again a new record.

Other Australian companies and venues also made it into the Top 100 of various categories.

Melbourne and Sydney shows by Sheeran and P!NK also made it into the global Top 10 achievers of the year.

Of the Top 100 promoters, Frontier ranked #7 with 2.26 million tickets.

Also on the list were:

#47 Chugg Entertainment (392,138)

#61 TEG Dainty (285,771)

#70: Adrian Bohm Presents (213,083)

#93: Bluesfest Touring (131,922)

Live Nation Australia would have had a high ranking, however, its figures are rolled into those of its global parent, which collectively topped the promoters list with 49.5 million tickets.

Sheeran’s four shows through Frontier Touring at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne with Missy Higgins were the third highest gross for the year, generating AU$26.7 million after shifting 256, 622 tickets.

Sheeran also had the sixth highest gross of the year with three shows at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, with $19.9 million and 231,185 patrons.

Live Nation Australia’s P!NK shows mid-year with The Rubens also made it into the Top 10.

The singer’s eleven shows at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena was #5 for the year, grossing $20.2 million with 157,811 stubs.

P!NK’s 9 shows at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney listed at #8, grossing $18.5 million from 143, 579 sales.

Top 100 Festivals

#8: Bluesfest – 101,729 tickets, gross AU$12.9 million

#18: CMC Rocks Queensland – 19,966 tickets, gross AU$6.5 million

Outdoor Stadiums

#10: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne – 365,460

#29: Optus Stadium, Perth – 208,838

#40: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 181,402

#76: Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay – 101,729