taylor swift tour gross vs beyonce

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Tina Knowles praises Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for boosting the economy. See how much their tours have made

Tina Knowles is celebrating two of 2023’s hottest tickets — Beyoncé’s “Renaissance Tour” and Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour.”

On Instagram , Knowles shared a screenshot of a Facebook post from New York Times , which linked out to an article that detailed the economic and cultural impact of her daughter Beyoncé’s tour.

In the caption of her post, Knowles wrote, “This is so awesome ! To b able to stimulate the economy is no small feat! @beyonce.”

Knowles also gave a sweet nod to Swift in her caption, adding, “And ! @taylorswift ! Just being young women and being able to say this , is so awesome!!! Proud of them both !”

Beyoncé and Swift’s tours overlapped in the United States during the summer. Both were a pop culture sensation, with social media platforms inundated by various trends coming out of each tour.

For Swift’s “Eras Tour,” friendship bracelets and DIY themed costumes became the norm while Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” world tour birthed the “mute” challenge and had concertgoers following her request for a silver theme in celebration of Virgo season.

With Beyoncé’s tour wrapping up on Oct. 1 and Swift’s on-going tour resuming Nov. 9 in Argentina, both tours have already generated millions of dollars along the way.

Read on to learn more about each tour's economic impact.

How much has the “Renaissance Tour” made?

Beyoncé’s “Renaissance Tour” kicked off May 10 in Sweden and will conclude Oct. 1 in Kansas City. Before the tour kicked off, Forbes estimated that Beyoncé would earn nearly $2.1 billion from her tour.

The “Cuff It” singer’s tour set multiple records over the summer, including back-to-back records for the highest one-month gross in history in both July and August, according to a Sept. report by Billboard .

In July, she grossed $127.6 million and in August, that number increased to $179 million. The outlet also reported the “Renaissance Tour” became the highest grossing tour by a female artist, surpassing Madonna's “Sticky & Sweet Tour” with $461.3 million.

During the “Renaissance Tour,” Beyoncé also gave back $2 million to students and small business through her charity foundation, BeyGOOD. Half of the donations went to entrepreneurs, with luncheons hosted by BeyGOOD the day before each show for a chance to win a $100 thousand grant. The other portion of the $2 million donation was allocated to the Renaissance Scholarship Fund.

Beyoncé’s tour spawned several special moments over the course of its run, including a special tribute to the late Tina Turner , a birthday surprise from Diana Ross , as well as numerous performances alongside her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy.

It was also a hotspot for celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Vanessa Bryant, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and more.

How much has the “Eras Tour” made?

Swift’s “Eras Tour” originally ran from March 17 through August 9. Throughout the year, Swift added on additional dates including several international dates in 2023 and 2024 as well as additional 2024 dates in the United States and internationally. 

While Swift’s tour still has 13 months to go, so far it’s been estimated she's earned $1 billion in sales , with Pollstar estimating the singer will exceed $1.4 billion in the new year .

Swift's economic impact far has exceeded solely ticket sales, too. The tour also increased revenue for hotels across the country, with fans flocking to each city to experience her career-sprawling performances.

It was also reported Swift made several donations with her tour’s earnings, including donating to local food banks at each stop and gifting $100,000 bonus checks to her truck drivers at the end of the U.S. leg of the tour.

The singer’s tour is also set to hit the big screen in the United States, and now internationally. In a press release, AMC said that it took less than 24 hours for the film to “shatter AMC’s U.S. record for the highest ticket-sales revenue during a single day in AMC’s 103-year history.”

Swift’s “Eras Tour” was not without its faults though.

The singer spoke out against Ticketmaster after fans struggled to obtain tickets to the tour due to “historically unprecedented demand” causing the website to crash. The debacle sparked public scrutiny, including questions from senators , and elicited changes from the company before Beyoncé’s “Renaissance Tour” tickets went on sale.

Francesca Gariano is a New York City-based freelance journalist reporting on culture, entertainment, beauty, lifestyle and wellness. She is a freelance contributor to TODAY.com, where she covers pop culture and breaking news.

Both Beyoncé And Taylor Swift Went On Tour, But Whose Is Bigger?

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift both launched massive world tours in 2023, so whose is the bigger attraction, and who brought in more money?

• Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are both dominating the music industry with their highly anticipated tours, leaving fans desperate for tickets and critics speculating about who will come out on top.
• Taylor Swift's Eras tour experienced high demand, causing a prominent ticketing website to crash, and she is expected to earn an impressive $500 million to $1.5 billion from the tour.
• Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour is her first solo world tour since 2016 and has generated an overwhelming demand for tickets, with her estimated earnings ranging from $2.1 billion to $4.1 billion.

Hot on the heels of 2023's most highly anticipated music events, dynamic powerhouse singers Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have taken the world by storm with their concert tours. In a clash of pop titans, the battle for tour supremacy has ignited the music industry, leaving fans clamoring for more and critics speculating who will emerge victorious.

One question stands above all: Whose tour is bigger?

Taylor Swift's tour exploded onto the scene, leaving a trail of shattered records in its wake . The sheer magnitude of Swift's star power and devoted fanbase crashed a prominent ticketing website, sending shockwaves through the internet. Beyoncé's tour experienced an unparalleled frenzy as tickets were snatched up at an astonishing rate, leaving fans breathless and desperate for a glimpse of their idol. In this clash of musical icons, the determination of tour success looms large.

How Taylor Swift Is Adding To Her Current $1.1 Billion Net Worth

In the matchup of Beyoncé versus Taylor Swift's tours, which one is the bigger event?

Updated November 2023: Since the article was published, both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé announced a tour movie. Taylor Swift's had its premiere on October 11, 2023, and Beyoncé herself showed up to the premiere to support her fellow popstar. Both divas also continued touring and their estimated earnings have been updated accordingly.

Both Beyoncé And Taylor Swift Started Touring In 2023

Renaissance world tour vs. the eras tour.

Tour fever is in full swing as music sensations Beyoncé and Taylor Swift hit the road in 2023, igniting a whirlwind of excitement and controversy. Beyoncé kicked off her highly anticipated Renaissance World Tour on May 10, sending shockwaves through the industry with her electrifying performances.

Taylor Swift launched her own spectacular Eras tour on March 17, captivating audiences with her signature blend of catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

Taylor Swift's 15 Most Popular Songs, Ranked (According To Spotify)

A recent incident at the Grammy Awards showcased the unwavering bond between Swift and her ex-flame , Harry Styles. As Styles accepted his prestigious Album of the Year award, Beyoncé fans couldn't resist stirring up a ruckus, mocking the British heartthrob.

Swift, a seasoned veteran when it comes to unexpected interruptions, stood by Styles' side, visibly engrossed in his speech, her eyes downcast, perhaps drawing parallels to her infamous run-in with Kanye West back in 2009 .

This was an example of when the two influential artists were in the same space. With both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift hitting the road in grand fashion and dramatic encounters brewing, the battle for tour dominance is set to reach unprecedented heights.

Taylor Swift's Tour Broke A Website

Tickets ranged from $49 to $449.

Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras tour has been making waves, but it's not just the music that has fans talking. Ticket prices for the tour have skyrocketed, leaving many wondering if they can afford to see their favorite singer live. As soon as tickets were available on Ticketmaster, fans encountered difficulties securing seats, and prices quickly soared.

While tickets were originally expected to range from $49 to $449, fans were met with much higher prices on the website . The surge of fans rushing to purchase presale tickets caused Ticketmaster's website to crash , leaving thousands unable to access it.

The unprecedented demand for TaylorSwiftTix Presale tickets overwhelmed the system, with millions of fans trying to secure their spot at the concert. Complaints about accessing Ticketmaster flooded in, reportedly peaking at nearly 5,000 reports during the technical difficulties.

All Of Taylor Swift's Famous Exes, Ranked By How Much Fans Loved Them Together

Despite the challenges, Taylor Swift's Eras tour is her biggest to date, with 52 dates scheduled across the United States. With opening acts like Paramore, Haim, and Phoebe Bridgers, the tour continues to promise to be a memorable experience for fans.

Ticket prices may be steep , but Swift is expected to earn an impressive $500 million to $1.5 billion from the tour, proving that there's no price too high for Swifties.

Beyoncé's Tour Tickets Also Sold Out Fast

Tickets ranged from $500 to $2,000.

Beyoncé's Renaissance world tour got off to an incredible start as tickets for the first concert in Stockholm sold out within a matter of hours . The high demand prompted concert management group Live Nation to add a second show in the Swedish capital.

Beyoncé's 10 Most Popular Songs, Ranked (According To Spotify)

The tour included various stops across Europe and North America, culminating in a final concert in New Orleans in September 2023. Although specific details about the speed at which tickets were snatched up were not disclosed, it's evident that Beyoncé's star power continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The Renaissance tour marks her first solo world tour since the Formation tour in 2016. While Beyoncé has chosen to maintain a more private life in recent years, she has consistently shown her appreciation for her fans.

One unforgettable moment during a concert in Copenhagen, Denmark, involved Beyoncé sharing the stage with a fan who impressively sang along to her hit song "Halo." The heartwarming interaction became a viral sensation, with millions of fans commending Beyoncé's humility and ability to connect with her audience.

While she may choose to live a more private life these days, focusing on her craft and delivering stellar performances, Beyoncé's dedication to her fans is unwavering. Her concerts are a testament to her commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for her audience, evident in the overwhelming demand for tickets and the addition of extra shows to accommodate her fans' enthusiasm.

Whose Tour Is More Successful: Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Or Taylor Swift's Eras Tour?

$2.1 billion vs $4.1 billion.

In a clash of the titans, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are vying for the title of the most successful tour. With jaw-dropping estimates, Queen Bey's Renaissance World Tour could rake in a mind-boggling $2.1 billion, while Swift's Eras Tour is estimated to bring the singer a whopping $4.1 billion by the end of it . These astronomical figures are fueled by optimistic assumptions, including sky-high ticket prices and a surge in post-pandemic concert attendance.

Both Beyoncé and Swift are not only talented artists but also savvy business executives. Swift may retain a larger share of ticket sales, while Beyoncé secures hefty revenue through sponsorships and direct control over her tour production.

While their expenses are high, with Beyoncé rumored to have as many as 50 semis for her tour, these powerhouses are set to reap massive rewards.

Estimates for Renaissance ticket sales range from a conservative $275 million to an eye-popping $2.4 billion, while Swift's Eras tour is expected to generate between $620 million and $1.9 billion.

However, these figures could be surpassed if both artists hit the upper end of their revenue projections. Either way, Beyoncé seems to be leading the charge in terms of ticket sales, but that doesn't mean her high-powered shows aren't reducing her in-pocket profit.

Both Stars Have A Concert Movie

Taylor swift: the eras tour vs. renaissance: a film by beyoncé.

Both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé also decided to release a concert movie, and Swift's premiered on October 11, 2023 at The Grove in Los Angeles. To send a clear message to the world, Beyoncé showed up to Swift's movie premiere, showing to everyone that the two are not competitive with each other and that there is plenty of space for both of them to shine.

As of this writing, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour has made over $234.4 million worldwide.

Beyoncé's movie Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé is going to premiere on December 1, 2023, and it's safe to say that once it does, the comparison to Swift's success will be once again made.

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I saw both Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance World tour. Both shows were memorable but only one was a once-in-a-lifetime concert.

Both pop stars put on incredible shows, but the renaissance world tour was unmatched in its presentation and cohesion. scott legato/tas23/getty images for tas rights management/kevin mazur/wireimage for parkwood.

• I saw both Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour.
• While both concerts were memorable, only Beyoncé's was a once-in-a-lifetime show. 
• Renaissance felt thematic and cohesive, while the Eras Tour's ambition left it feeling scattered.

It's the great battle of our time: both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are on tour.

The fights between the Bey Hive and Swifties on Twitter would make you believe there's a war between these two artists. But actually, it's very easy to be a fan of both — take it from me!

I was lucky enough to snag tickets to both Swift's Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour this year. So allow me to settle this conflict. 

Both concerts were memorable and I love both artists, but it's clear: Queen Bey still reigns.  

The Renaissance show was electric, a once-in-a-lifetime event featuring a polished set list and stylish production that never lost momentum.

That's not to say the Eras Tour wasn't fantastic — its epic scale certainly brought me to my knees — but seeing the Renaissance World Tour was far more worthwhile. 

Swift's Eras Tour was a true greatest-hits show

I saw Swift at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in late May and was blown away by her performance. Before you ask: No, I didn't attend one of Swift's famously beloved rain shows . I was at the third and final Eras performance at Gillette, and thankfully stayed dry. 

I sat just a few rows off the stadium floor, close enough to see Swift without squinting but still at a distance to see the entire stage. Despite the Ticketmaster fiasco , I felt like I had secured good seats and somehow managed not to break the bank. 

The show was an expansive three-hour journey through Swift's discography, an impressive attempt to cover her entire career.

Swift traced her country roots with "Fearless" before digging into the electropop of "Reputation" and her latest pop endeavor, "Midnights." Every album — except Swift's debut, which is sadly absent from the setlist — got a moment to shine.

But Eras felt too big for its own good

There's no denying that Swift has the hits — even my grandmother hums "Shake It Off" when she hears it on the radio.

But with a three-hour concert and two opening acts, time was precious. The set list had an ebb and flow of sorts, like Swift was trying to go through her catalog by contrasting slower, stripped-back songs with her big pop anthems. This just didn't work for me, resulting in more of a mishmash than a cohesive work.

Some eras, particularly "Evermore" and "Midnights," were too long and quickly wore out their welcome. Others, such as "Folklore," came at awkward times in the concert when I wasn't sure if I wanted to sit down for a bit or make a quick bathroom break. Even "Red," my favorite, hit a roadblock with the 10-minute version of "All Too Well." That song is just too long!

There were similar lulls in the production and concert visuals. It was whiplash to go from intimate singer-songwriter Swift sitting alone at her piano to pop-diva Swift strutting around with her backup dancers.

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Maybe it's a tall order for Swift to even explore her discography like this in the first place — for an artist that's made music in so many different genres, one big concert showcasing all of them is sure to have its stumbles from time to time. 

Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour never missed a beat

Beyoncé's renaissance world tour never lost its momentum. chris panella/kevin mazur/wireimage for parkwood.

Beyoncé also brought the heat.

I saw Beyoncé at the historic Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, in early June. The floor of the stadium was general admission, and I really enjoyed standing there packed around other fans.

I never once wished I had gotten a seat up in the stands — if you have the chance to see Beyoncé in general admission, you take it. 

The two-and-a-half hour show started with Beyoncé belting some of her ballads, "Dangerously In Love," "Flaws And All," and "1 + 1."

She also performed "River Deep, Mountain High" in tribute to the late Tina Turner ; there wasn't a dry eye in the stadium.

After a few songs, Bey transitioned into "Renaissance," beginning with "I'm That Girl." Most songs off the album got time to shine. Notably absent from the set, though, were "Thique" and "All Up in Your Mind" — two personal favorites of mine, but I forgive Bey for not including them.

Renaissance was a curated showcase of joy and art, with strong themes and visuals

Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour never lost momentum. Any interlude or break in the setlist was filled with impressive dancers or teases for those long-awaited "Renaissance" visuals .

The energy was high the entire show, leaving little time for anyone to guess what she'd perform next. That's not to say that Bey didn't slow things down. She sang a stirring rendition of "Plastic Off the Sofa" before switching to the dizzying disco of "Virgo's Groove," but I never felt like there was a lull the entire performance.

Part of that may be Beyoncé's presence. It was impossible to keep my eyes off her. She danced full-out, hit every note, and dominated the stage with just a hair flip. She gave it her all even when she was just lying down in a giant clam shell. 

And while Beyoncé has certainly amassed many hits throughout her decades-long career, she made sure to tighten the focus of this concert on her most recent album. Some older favorites, such as "Freakum Dress," only got a snippet of airtime, but it was still enough to send fans into a frenzy.

That differs heavily from my experience with the Eras Tour, where I sometimes couldn't wait for songs to end. At the Renaissance World Tour, I wanted more. 

Renaissance felt like a celebration with everyone in the audience

The Renaissance World Tour also  celebrated the LGBTQ+ community and ballroom culture in a way I'd never seen during a concert from a major music artist before.

That made the show feel bigger than Beyoncé — rather than focusing on her greatest hits or biggest music, the concert was a celebratory experience.

While I waited for the show to begin, the stage's graphic displays the Progress Pride Flag, signaling to attendees that this show is a safe space for the entire LGBTQ+ community. Ballroom culture was front and center the entire concert, culminating in a final voguing sequence between all of Beyoncé's dancers.

And after the show ended, a picture of Uncle Johnny — Beyoncé's late gay uncle to whom she's dedicated "Renaissance" — appeared, seemingly ending the concert by showing the person that inspired Beyoncé's love and appreciation for the LGBTQ+ community. It was a touching moment that brought everything full circle.

I'm glad I saw both Swift and Beyoncé while they embark on their juggernaut tours this year.

But the Renaissance World Tour felt like a defining moment thanks to its curated set list and Beyoncé's hypnotizing stage presence.

Taylor Swift is pop concert royalty, no doubt, but there's still only one Queen.

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Taylor Swift’s “Eras” Tour vs. Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” Tour, in Charts

Which singer boasts the longest set list the most costume changes the most horses on stage.

Everyone is talking about the biggest movie battle of the year , but no one is talking about this summer’s other, equally important double feature: Taylor Swift’s Ticketmaster-crashing “Eras” tour vs. Beyoncé’s record-breaking “Renaissance” tour. Now, here at Slate we’re not in the habit of pitting women against each other. But we are interested in celebrating the massive achievements of two of our most influential entertainers. In order to do that, it’s helpful to know just how massive these achievements are, especially when the two tours are projected to become the highest grossing of all time. And maybe you, like many unlucky others who couldn’t snag a coveted ticket to one or both, are wondering how they measure up to each other. We are on the case.

With the recent announcement of an additional extension, Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour will wind up lasting for a year and a half, with her first date having occurred in March 2023 and her last (for now, at least) set for November 2024. Beyoncé, on the other hand, doesn’t have time for all that! In addition to being a superstar, she’s also a mother! Her “Renaissance” tour will run from May to October , barring any extensions.

While individual concerts on each tour vary in length, Swift’s career-spanning run-through generally clocks in at over three hours , sometimes as long as 3 hours and 30 minutes . Overall, Setlist.fm estimates that the average show length on the “Eras” tour is 3 hours, 23 minutes . Meanwhile Beyoncé’s traveling ballroom is more unpredictable—sometimes over three hours , sometimes closer to two and a half , with Setlist.fm estimating that the average performance is 2 hours, 29 minutes .

Swift takes the lead here with an average set list of 46 songs (including the two “surprise songs” that change each show), which makes sense considering her tour is a celebration of her entire career thus far. Whereas Beyoncé’s is a celebration of something else entirely .

This is for all the Swifties out there wondering how much play time each era gets in her setlist (excluding special songs). #JusticeForSpeakNow!

The three unreleased covers specified here include two sung by Beyoncé: Rose Royce’s “I’m Going Down” (popularized by Mary J. Blige) and a tribute to the late, great Tina Turner with “ River Deep–Mountain High .” The third cover is from Beyoncé’s backup singers, who offer a beautiful rendition of Diana Ross’ “Love Hangover.” Beyoncé also performs her version of “Before I Let Go,” by Maze, but we categorized that with  Homecoming: The Live Album , since that’s where her version was first released.

Though the numbers have changed over time, Taylor Swift goes through about 16 different costumes per show, most of which echo her iconic looks from each respective “era” she reprises. Beyoncé completes about half the amount of quick-changes, instead segmenting her show with visual interludes that allow her to sport around nine different costumes .

Swift may don more outfits per night than Beyoncé, but when it comes to switching looks, overall, it’s Queen Bey who takes the crown. Swift has worn approximately 44 costumes throughout her entire tour—though, I must say, many sources count a simple exchange of kitschy jackets as a whole new outfit, which is a debatable inclusion. By comparison, Beyoncé has worn nothing but the fashions of today’s top designers (including her own Ivy Park line), which she refreshes at nearly every stop on her tour. Her stylist, Shiona Turini, posted on Aug. 28 that after 42 shows in 12 countries, Bey officially wore her 100 th look (a black Loewe dress with a metallic bodice).

At Swift’s Aug. 9 show in Los Angeles, the crowd of 70,000 delivered an impressive eight-minute ovation following her performance of “Champagne Problems,” the extended applause for which has become something of a nightly showstopping ritual . On the other hand, Bey’s production doesn’t allow much time for cheering. But the loudest and longest cheers that have taken place have definitely been for her daughter, Blue Ivy , who often dances during the songs “My Power” and “Black Parade.”

At the end of her show, Beyoncé flies around the stadium on a gigantic silver horse , a reference to her Renaissance album cover . Unsurprisingly, Swift’s show features no equivalent.

Beyoncé’s 23 dancers include the famous duo Les Twins and an official dance credit for Blue Ivy, while Swift boasts a comparatively modest 16 dancers .

After all is said and done, the “Eras” tour will have hosted 10 opening acts , from established groups like Paramore and Haim to up-and-coming indie darlings like Beabadoobee and Girl in Red. In contrast, Beyoncé is her own opening act. [ Update, Sept. 5:  While Beyoncé has not had official openers, she has invited the occasional DJ to curate an opening set, including the musician Arca in June for her Barcelona show. For two of Beyoncé’s Los Angeles concerts at the beginning of September, which celebrated the singer’s Sept. 4 birthday, DJ Khaled filled that slot, bringing out 11 other hip-hop artists: 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Offset, Coi Leray, Roddy Ricch, Lil Wayne, YG, Big Sean, Doechii, O.T. Genasis, and Lil Durk. For the third L.A. performance, taking place on Beyoncé’s actual birthday, she was serenaded by Diana Ross, who sang “Happy Birthday,” and joined by Kendrick Lamar to perform their remix of “America Has a Problem.”]

Swift, very much in the spirit of celebrating other artists and turning her tour into a party, has had five special guests perform with her so far, including frequent collaborator Aaron Dessner of the National and rapper Ice Spice. The number jumps to eight if we’re including her opening acts joining her on stage for a song or two, though that’s less of a surprise. Beyoncé’s show is a tad more structured, and because of that, the only consistent “special” guest she’s brought on stage is her daughter. As of this writing on Sept. 1, the other special guest Beyoncé has featured was another dancer, voguer ChaCha Balenciaga, who performed in Washington, D.C., during the show’s mini ball section .

No tour, no matter how meticulously planned, can go off without a hitch. And it’s safe to say that’s no different for our reigning divas. From our research, we were able to find seven mishaps during Swift’s tour (that were no fault of her own): like when her trap door didn’t open on time , or her mic stopped working , or she swallowed a bug . Meanwhile, Ms. Carter had to work some stage direction into her song when her crew forgot to turn her fan on. There was also that time the aforementioned giant flying horse malfunctioned, which visibly annoyed the perfectionist . Nobody’s perfect, but even with equestrian blunders, some of us still come closer than others.

Update, Sept. 7, 2023: This article was updated to clarify that Beyoncé’s version of “Before I Let Go” is both a cover and a song that she previously performed on  Homecoming: The Live Album .

Culture | Music

‘Taylornomics’ and Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour: what are the most lucrative music tours ever?

It’s a good year for pop music fans, as two of the world’s biggest acts are currently on tour: over the last several months both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have been travelling the world playing to sold out stadiums.

Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour began in May and saw the artist play five consecutive nights at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in June. Swift’s Eras tour launched in March; she is currently in the US and will play in London next summer.

The tours of both artists have already raked in approximately $300 million each. This places Taylor Swift at the fifth spot and Beyoncé at the sixth spot on the list of the highest-grossing tours of the decade.

But the success of the sold-out shows doesn’t stop there: Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour has broken Beyoncé’s own record, becoming the highest-grossing tour by any Black artist ever, having already made $295 million and with another 20 shows yet to go ahead. Beyoncé has easily surpassed the takings of both her 2016 The Formation World Tour, which earned $256 million, and her 2013-2014 The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, which made $229 million.

And without adjusting for inflation, Beyoncé has also far exceeded the takings of both Michael Jackson’s 1987-1989 Bad World Tour (which earned $125 million) and Tina Turner’s 1987-88 Break Every Rule tour (which earned $60 million).

Similarly, Taylor Swift’s Eras tour has already made over $300 million, which has surpassed the takings of her 2015 The 1989 World Tour, which earned $250 million. Her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour made $345 million dollars, and given that Swift is still yet to complete nearly half of her tour, its extremely likely that she will smash her own personal best soon too.

In December, Billboard predicted that Swift would make as much as $590 million when the Eras concerts are completed, and back then the American pop star had only planned 52 stops. Swift has been adding dates to her tour ever since, and she is now set to stage a whopping 146 performances. If Swift continues to make money in line with Billboard’s projections, the artist could make as much as $1 billion by the end of the worldwide tour.

Even if she doesn’t reach that mind-blowing figure, Swift is on track to smash the record for the top female solo artist on the tour money rankings. Madonna currently sits at the top spot: her 2008-2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour made $411 million (which is around $560 million when adjusted for inflation).

Swift is also reportedly having a major financial impact on the cities she visits: “It’s simple Taylornomics: When Taylor Swift comes to town, Swifties go on a spending spree,” said the Wall Street Journal. In July, The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said that Swift’s concerts had helped to increase tourism in the region – a pattern that is emerging across the country.

So who tops the charts?

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Elton John is the artist who has earnt the most from a single tour, raking in a whopping $939 million for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which came to a close in June.

The 76-year Rocket Man singer said goodbye at this year’s Glastonbury, playing to a crowd of approximately 100,000 people – the performance was described by The Standard’s Dylan Jones as “ primal gratification on a massive scale ”.

Ed Sheeran is second on the money list, with his Divide Tour (2017-19) having made $776 million, while U2 sits at third place, with their 360° Tour (2009-2011) having made $736 million.

However, when these figures are adjusted for inflation, it’s reportedly U2 who actually sit at the top of the highest-earners list.

The list of top 20 highest-earning tours of all time includes a number of bands: Coldplay, Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Metallica and The Police; major pop stars: Harry Styles, Madonna, Bruno Mars and Pink; country singers: Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood; and standout rock act Roger Waters.

When the list is narrowed down to the top earners of this decade, it shifts to include international acts such as Bad Bunny, Blackpink, and Daddy Yankee, showing the diversification of music over recent years.

The 2022 World’s Hottest Tour from Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who was crowned Spotify’s most-streamed artist last year after clocking 18.5 billion streams, earned $314 million, placing him at fourth place on the list. Meanwhile the K-pop girl group come in at eighth on the list with their ongoing Born Pink World Tour. It has made $220 million so far. The 83-date La Última Vuelta World Tour from Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee, made $198 million last year, placing him at ninth on the list.

Coldplay, who have made $617 million and counting from their ongoing Music of the Spheres World Tour, sit at the top of the list.

Taylor Swift is set to play in London on June 21, 22 and 23 and August 15, 16 and 17 2024

Watch CBS News

Beyoncé could blow away other artists for top-grossing tour

By Elizabeth Napolitano

May 12, 2023 / 12:23 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have blown past music industry records before, picking up dozens of Grammy awards and smashing streaming numbers . So, it shouldn't be any surprise that both pop stars are also on track to break another record — the highest-grossing concerts of all-time.  

Beyoncé could rake in more than $2 billion from her "Renaissance" world tour, which kicked off this week and includes 57 shows, projections show. Taylor Swift, who is also touring this year, could similarly surpass the billion-dollar mark. The country-pop singer's 20-city nationwide "Eras" tour, with 52 shows, is expected to gross a whopping $1.6 billion, Forbes reported. 

The projections are based on "the most optimistic assumptions of the number of fans buying tickets" and assume an average ticket price of $700, the publication said.  

But, while the pop queens' earnings could far exceed those of their peers, they're not the only ones raking in concert cash. 

Billboard Boxscore, a report that tracks live entertainment receipts, shows the top five highest-earning music tours of all-time have earned a staggering $635.6 million on average. 

Here is a list of the top five highest-grossing concert tours of all time, according to Billboard Boxscore. The list has been edited to exclude tours, such as Elton John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour," that are currently ongoing or that had repeated runs.

1. Ed Sheeran "The ÷ (Divide) Tour" (2017-19)

Based off Sheeran's third album, The Divide Tour grossed $776 million over the course of 258 shows attended by 8.9 million people. 

2. U2 "360° Tour" (2009-11)

The seven-leg world tour promoting the Irish band's 12th album grossed $736 million for 110 shows attended by 7.3 million concertgoers. 

3. Guns N' Roses "Not in This Lifetime Tour" (2016-19)

The hard-rock band's most recent tour raked in $584 million for 158 shows across the world, with 5.4 million people turning out to see them perform. 

4. The Rolling Stones "A Bigger Bang Tour" (2005-07)

The iconic rock band's tour grossed $558 million for 147 shows that brought out 3.5 million fans. The tour —one of the last before the passing of founding member, Charlie Watts — held the top spot, before being  outgrossed  by U2's "360° Tour."

5. Coldplay "A Head Full of Dreams Tour" (2016-17)

The British rock band's five-continent tour to promote its seventh album pulled in $524 million in gross revenue over 115 shows attended by 5.4 million concertgoers. 

See the full list here .

• Taylor Swift
• Beyoncé

Elizabeth Napolitano is a freelance reporter at CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and technology news. She also writes for CoinDesk. Before joining CBS, she interned at NBC News' BizTech Unit and worked on The Associated Press' web scraping team.

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Make the Whole Place Shimmer: America Spends Big for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift

By Jeanna Smialek and Jordyn Holman

Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland and Maggie Shannon

Beyoncé told us that girls run the world. This summer, she and Taylor Swift seemed to prove it.

Both Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” and Ms. Swift’s “Eras” tours have become cultural phenomena that have swept across social media and are poised to shatter real-world records. “Eras” could top $1 billion in sales , making it the first concert in history to cross that mark. Some estimates suggest that Beyoncé’s world tour could gross even more than that by the time it wraps in October.

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It is the latest — and some economists think final — iteration of the “revenge spending” trend that took hold after the pandemic, in which people shifted their spending away from goods and toward experiences. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé fans have been shelling out on everything from secondhand tickets that cost more than a flight to Europe to fancy fingernails to match the singers’ wardrobe.

While event spending overall is still just recovering to prepandemic levels, the marquee concerts this summer are spurring a lot of consumption.

The survey company QuestionPro estimates that Ms. Swift’s concert could generate some $4.6 billion in economic activity in North America alone, taking into account both stadium capacity and people’s reported spending plans on things like tickets, merchandise and travel. That would be roughly on par with the revenues the Beijing Olympics generated in 2008, after adjusting for inflation. Beyoncé’s shows are expected to spur $4.5 billion in spending, based on a separate QuestionPro survey.

Cosmeticians, Cruises and Cocktails

It isn’t just tickets that have motivated people to open their wallets. They are staying in hotel rooms, buying elaborate outfits, spending on flashy manicures and attending sideline parties that are generating business and boosting spending in host cities.

Shade Hotel, in Manhattan Beach, Calif., held a Taylor Swift pre-party where guests sported costumes, wore Swift-themed temporary tattoos and sipped on a signature “Lavender Haze” cocktail, a reference to one of the most popular songs on her latest album. Both the hotel and its neighbors reported surging demand that pushed up room rates and sold out many properties.

Boxie Studio in Los Angeles, which offers small photo studios of carefully curated backdrops for social media, was selling tickets that allowed visitors to film TikToks or snap Instagram shots in rooms that mirrored Taylor Swift music video sets. Props included the red scarf made famous by the song “All Too Well” and an “I love you” sign like the one that a lovelorn Ms. Swift flashed at her next-door neighbor in one 2009 music video .

Knock-on effects from the concerts have drawn the attention of national economic authorities: Sweden’s statistics agency said that Beyoncé’s tour helped to fuel inflation there, and a Federal Reserve survey of business contacts reported that Swifties had bolstered hotel revenues in the Philadelphia region.

While concert-related spending has not been concentrated enough to show up clearly in national data in the United States, some think it could help to slightly improve the odds of a gentle cool-down instead of an abrupt stop to economic activity. The events are keeping consumers active during a summer when shrinking savings might have otherwise slowed their spending.

“I think Taylor Swift is great for the soft landing,” said Brett House, an economist at Columbia Business School.

“The Beyoncé tour, the Eras tour, are the latest instance of that phenomenon,” he said — and possibly the tail end, as consumers exhaust pandemic savings and return to more normal patterns. “It might be that Taylor Swift and Beyoncé timed their tours perfectly.”

The concerts have become a big boost for local tourism, as the Fed report hinted. Airbnb reported that Cincinnati was the platform’s top trending destination for July 4 weekend travel — beating out places like Mykonos island in Greece and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The Ohio city hosted Ms. Swift that weekend.

The shows have also driven broader consumer spending in cities like New York, where searches for lounges, aestheticians and nail technicians in the week leading up to Beyoncé’s performance in East Rutherford, N.J., saw triple-digit percentage increases compared to the year before, according to an analysis by Yelp. Concertgoers were also booking their hair and nail appointments weeks out.

Raven Voorhees, the owner of Free Edge Beauty Studio in Brooklyn, said she spent the month of July doing nails for clients attending Beyoncé concerts in cities like Philadelphia, Nashville and East Rutherford. Her clients requested nails that aligned with the theme of the Renaissance tour: lots of silver, metallic, gold and sparkle.

“It’s boosting business,” Ms. Voorhees said. “We’re talking about someone who’s paying about $60 max for her service to now $150 because she’s doing a new set, she’s getting the works, all of the nail art and then, even after that, having to come back and having to do it again.”

Tara Lewis, who analyzes Yelp’s data around the “Beyoncé bump,” said she had seen “pops in every city” which gives her confidence that Beyoncé is the reason behind the lift.

America’s hot concert summer has been enabled, in large part, by a hot job market. Unemployment is low and wages are rising, which is helping people afford big purchases like tickets and pricey hotel rooms.

In a survey fielded for The New York Times, QuestionPro found that about 50 percent of Taylor Swift fans used regular income to buy tickets and outfits, while 9 percent used savings built up during the pandemic. A bigger share used savings amassed before or after the public health crisis or relied on family help. Just a small share — 4 percent — borrowed money to afford the tickets.

Beyoncé fans also funded tickets heavily out of their income, and spent $1,800 on average for the concert.

Many companies have figured out how to capitalize on the hype. Ahead of Beyoncé’s New Jersey appearance, Circle Line Cruise — a New York staple known for ferrying tourists around Manhattan — transformed into a dance floor where boat riders learned the Renaissance concert choreography. The 78-year-old cruise line has been trying to find ways to attract new customers and give locals a reason to step on board, said Alexis Melendez, Circle Line’s marketing director.

The event, which took place the Thursday before Beyoncé’s MetLife performances, sold out. The three-level cruise ship held about 300 people who had paid $25 for the two-hour ride where attendees grooved to a D.J. playing Beyoncé’s thirty-year discography and followed directions from the dance instructor Byron Freeman.

Circle Line doubled the amount of bartenders, who were making $16 Beyoncé themed cocktails with names like “Alien Supermarg” and “Rum the World.”

In Los Angeles, companies also seized on Taylor Swift’s concerts to host branded activities. Truly LA, a venue showcasing the hard seltzer brand, hosted a friendship-bracelet making event on the sidelines of Taylor Swift concerts.

Swifties wear and trade the jewelry as a reference to a lyric in a song from Ms. Swift’s latest album, in which she instructs listeners to “make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.” The events, which took place on Aug. 2 and Aug. 3, also encouraged attendees to trade their bracelets while listening to Ms. Swift and consuming specialty seltzer drinks.

“We are the visual.”

Tara Vasquez, 39, stood outside of the Beyoncé show in late July in sparkling bejeweled eye make up, explaining that she has “a credit card for Beyoncé.” She has gone to shows in each Beyoncé tour dating back to Destiny’s Child, she said.

“Beyoncé is a splurge because she understands me; We grew up together,” she said.

“Beyoncé says show up, and we show up,” she said. The artist has not released a visual album with Renaissance like she had for her previous albums, but Ms. Vasquez said: “We are the visual.”

“Beyoncé got a lot of money out of me: At this point, I’m going to claim her as a dependent on my taxes,” Kalen Allen, 27, said outside of the MetLife stadium as he prepared to see Renaissance for the second night in a row. Professionally styled in a red and black ensemble, he estimated that he was spending $15,000 across multiple shows in multiple cities.

Bibi Peterson, 16, was attending Taylor Swift’s concerts in Los Angeles three times — including on Aug. 4 with her grandmother, brother and other family members. Her outfit cost her only about $25 in materials from Amazon, she estimated, because her grandmother sewed it. It was meant to look like the outfit Ms. Swift wore while singing “How You Get the Girl” during a previous tour, complete with glow lights.

“As a young woman, she really inspires me,” Ms. Peterson said. “I love just watching her go out there and shimmer .”

Public Transit and Party Buses

With thousands of people descending on stadiums across the country, transportation to the summer’s big concerts also became an enterprise.

The founders of Foolonia, a New York-based event company founded in 2019 that focuses on providing inclusive spaces and unique outings, decided to offer group transit to Beyoncé’s New Jersey concert. The entry fee was $100 and included Beyoncé trivia, giveaways like official tour merchandise and enough space to practice dance moves.

“Have we done a party bus before? No! But that’s what we do,” said Riley Wilson, a co-founder of the company. “We do divergent experiences.”

And in Los Angeles, public transit stayed open late to ferry concertgoers. “We’re enchanted that Taylor Swift fans have given a big boost to public transit across the United States this year — and we’re looking forward to spending our midnights with many of you very soon,” the city’s metro system punned on its website — referencing Ms. Swift’s song “Enchanted” and her recent album “Midnights.”

Spending on the concerts may partly be taking the place of other events, vacations and consumption in general this summer: About half of respondents in both the Taylor Swift and the Beyoncé QuestionPro surveys said they would cut back elsewhere to afford the experiences, with many reporting that they were eating out less or skipping unnecessary entertainment.

Many attendees made it clear that having fun at the tours would be their priority.

“People are looking to experience a fun and groundbreaking way to celebrate their identity, to celebrate music,” said Ozzie Henderson, a co-founder of Foolonia and a Beyoncé fan who started putting together his concert outfit since she announced her tour. “They’re investing their money in a great experience.”

Audio produced by Adrienne Hurst .

Jeanna Smialek writes about the Federal Reserve and the economy for The Times. She previously covered economics at Bloomberg News.  More about Jeanna Smialek

Jordyn Holman is a business reporter covering retail for The Times. She previously worked at Bloomberg News, where she covered retail and diversity in corporate America. More about Jordyn Holman

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Inside the World of Taylor Swift

A Triumph at the Grammys: Taylor Swift made history  by winning her fourth album of the year at the 2024 edition of the awards, an event that saw women take many of the top awards .

‘The T ortured Poets Department’: Poets reacted to Swift’s new album name , weighing in on the pertinent question: What do the tortured poets think ?  

In the Public Eye: The budding romance between Swift and the football player Travis Kelce created a monocultural vortex that reached its apex  at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Ahead of kickoff, we revisited some key moments in their relationship .

Politics (Taylor’s Version): After months of anticipation, Swift made her first foray into the 2024 election for Super Tuesday with a bipartisan message on Instagram . The singer, who some believe has enough influence  to affect the result of the election , has yet to endorse a presidential candidate.

Conspiracy Theories: In recent months, conspiracy theories about Swift and her relationship with Kelce have proliferated , largely driven by supporters of former President Donald Trump . The pop star's fans are shaking them off .

Screen Rant

Taylor swift vs. beyoncé is 2023's final box office battle - so who will win.

2023 sees the clash of music titans Taylor Swift vs. Beyoncé at the box office as The Eras Tour & Renaissance Tour movies hit the big screen.

• Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are both poised to have blockbuster concert movies in 2023, with Swift's Eras Tour projected to gross $2.2 billion in ticket sales in North America alone.
• Swift's concert movie has generated massive pre-sale hype, breaking AMC's record for the highest ticket-sales revenue in less than 24 hours, outselling Beyoncé's film 7-to-1 on day one.
• While both artists have strong fan bases, Swift's concert movie may have a broader appeal as a pure spectacle, while Beyoncé's movie takes a documentary-style approach, chronicling her behind-the-scenes journey.

As the end-of-the-year movie slate hits theaters, Taylor Swift vs. Beyoncé is shaping up to be 2023's final box office battle. Earlier in the year, Barbie and Oppenheimer — a.k.a. Barbenheimer — duked it out at the box office due to their simultaneous theatrical releases. Now, a new set of challengers enters the fray. Unlike other 2023 movie match-ups, however, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and RENAISSANCE: A Film by Beyoncé don't share a release date. While Swift's 3-hour journey through her discography hits theaters on October 13, Queen Bey's boundary-pushing Renaissance Tour journey releases on December 1.

Despite their different artistic tracks, both musicians are record-breaking icons in their own right. Beyoncé is the most-nominated female musician in Grammy Awards history, while Swift is the first and only female solo artist to nab the Album of the Year Grammy three times over. Plus, if the artists' dual concert success stories are any indication, The Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance concert movie are poised to be 2023's late-season blockbusters. Often, successful women are pitted against each other in one of pop culture's most frustrating and tired tropes, and, as a result, that has spectators wondering which concert movie has better box office odds.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Compared To Beyoncé's Renaissance

In a thrilling turn of events, audiences were treated to both Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2023. Tina Knowles, Beyoncé's mother, praised both women for their ultra-successful tours, posting, " to stimulate the economy is no small feat " (via Today ). Knowles' isn't exaggerating either. According to Forbes , the Renaissance Tour has grossed more than $579 million across 56 stops. The wildly popular tour marked the singer's first since 2016's The Formation World Tour , which centered on Lemonade — another pop-cultural phenomenon. This made demand for tickets incredibly high and an estimated 2.2 million fans attended stops on Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour .

While Beyoncé's half-a-billion dollar gross is nothing to scoff at, Swift has eclipsed most other musicians when it comes to Eras Tour ticket sales and demand. In total, the "Anti-Hero" singer's tour will encompass a staggering 146 dates. According to Time Magazine , Swift's Eras Tour has a " projected gross of $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone. " Moreover, analysts predict Swift will cross the $1 billion mark in early 2024, shattering Elton John's $939 million record from his multi-year farewell tour. Ultimately, it's difficult to compare the tours, as both singers' shows have vastly different scopes and artistic aims.

Why Beyonce’s $73 Million Box Office Hit Is Still So Divisive 14 Years Later

Taylor swift's eras tour movie has more hype (for now).

Due to what Ticketmaster dubbed " historically unprecedented demand, " legions of Swifties were unable to secure Eras Tour tickets in late 2022. Although the website crashing and booting out Swift fans only added fuel to a fire that's been simmering for years, everyone from U.S. senators to the "All Too Well" singer herself has spoken out about the platform's choke-hold on ticket sales. That said, demand for Eras concert tickets was incredibly high. For fans who couldn't secure tour tickets and the casually curious alike, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour presents an exciting opportunity to see all 9 Taylor Swift eras featured in the concert on the silver screen.

With a movie ticket costing substantially less than entry to a Swift concert, there's been massive pre-sale noise surrounding the show's filmed version. According to AMC Theatres , the movie " shatter[ed] AMC’s U.S. record for the highest ticket-sales revenue during a single day in AMC’s 103-year history " in less than 24 hours. It's hard to top that kind of pre-release performance, but it's also true that Beyoncé's has only just announced the Renaissance Tour movie. While the "Cuff It" singer's first-day pre-sales generated roughly $6 million, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour tickets outsold Beyoncé's film 7-to-1 on day one (via Deadline ).

Why Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Will Beat Beyoncé At The Box Office

At this point, it's hard to see how Renaissance could out-perform The Eras Tour . While both artists have legions of fans who'll fill theaters across the country, The Eras Tour might have a somewhat broader appeal, if only because it's a pure concert-in-movie-form. Beyoncé's movie takes a more documentary-style approach, chronicling not just concert moments, but her behind-the-scenes journey too. For those wanting pure spectacle, Swift's movie might have the edge. So far, Swift's Eras Tour movie is projected to do $100 million in ticket sales (via CNBC ), and Taylor Swift has scared off five movies with her film's release date.

Taylor Swift & Beyoncé Will Both Be Big Box Office Winners In 2023

Ultimately, comparing their box office draws isn't as exciting as celebrating both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's continued successes. Plus, the artists will both get hefty cuts of their respective, box-office-topping grosses. Taylor Swift could break a 12-year-old movie record based on how sales are going so far. Not to mention, the release of 1989 (Taylor's Version) will surely boost ticket sales further. Meanwhile, Beyoncé has chosen a historically slow week to open her film, meaning she'll turn a quiet time into a blockbuster moment. At a time when Hollywood needs some wins, both Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and RENAISSANCE: A Film by Beyoncé will deliver.

Sources: Today, Forbes, Time Magazine, AMC Theatres, Deadline, CNBC

• 6:29 a.m. Sat, April 27th

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Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are 2023’s biggest concert tours. Here’s how they compare, by the numbers

Cnn/stylemagazine.com newswire | 8/25/2023, 1:41 p.m..

Originally Published: 25 AUG 23 09:48 ET

By Leah Asmelash and Will Mullery, CNN

(CNN) — It’s like the “Barbie” v. “Oppenheimer” of concert tours.

For months now, fans have been packing stadiums for Beyoncé’s “Renaissance World Tour” and Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour, paying up to thousands of dollars for premium seats to see two beloved performers at the top of their game.

The tours are cultural behemoths, attracting such celebrities as Paul McCartney, Ariana Grande, Nicole Kidman and yes, “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig while giving a Midas-like boost to the economy of every city they visit. Both tours are expected to gross well over $1 billion.

With Swift launching her international dates in Mexico this week and Beyoncé wrapping her tour in Kansas City in October, here’s a by-the-numbers comparison of 2023’s two most monumental entertainment events.

It’s Bey v. Tay! But to be clear, this is not a competition. History has graced us in this moment with two singular artists, and we fans are the winners.

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Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are poised to knock out the record holder for highest-grossing tour of all time

The beyhive and swifties are paying astronomical prices to secure concert tickets.

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are touring for the first time in years, and fans have made clear they are willing to pay steep prices to see their favorite stars.

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Post-covid hikes in ticket prices, stops in the world’s major cities, and multiple tour dates are set to give both pop stars a financial boost. It also means Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and Swift’s Eras tour could be on the path to break the $1 bil lion mark and become the biggest-ever tours by revenue, according to some estimates .

Sir Elton John currently holds that record. His ongoing Yellow Brick Road farewell tour has already raked in over $817 million , according to a Billboard report in January.

Queen Bey and Tay Tay both have a shot at clinching that title depending on how you do the math. Here’s what some experts are saying.

How much Beyoncé will earn on the Renaissance tour?

Beyoncé’s Renaissance US and Europe tour kicked off on May 10 in Stockholm, and is scheduled to have 57 shows in total—all of which have been sold out. Some tickets have gotten so expensive , fans are even flying internationally for a better deal.

Forbes contributor Peter Cohan estimates that Mrs. Carter could earn anywhere between $428 million and $2.4 billion from the tour, depending on the average ticket price per venue.

In February, Billboard made a more conservative estimate of $275 million in revenue based on an average ticket price of $200, the 41 shows scheduled at the time, and a low-end estimate of $6.8 million in revenue per show.

How much will Taylor Swift earn on the Eras tour?

Taylor Swift’s Eras tour hit the road on March 17 in Glendale, Arizona, and has 52 shows scheduled in the US alone. Her shows have also been sold out (but not without bad blood between Swifties and Ticketmaster). Dates and tickets for her overseas shows are yet to be released.

According to Bloomberg estimates , Swift could make $500 million to $600 million, without accounting for the international leg of the tour.

No matter who breaks the record, Ticketmaster is a definite winner

Ticketmaster, which dominates an estimated 70% of the market for ticketing and live music concerts, is set to cash in on both Beyoncé and Swift’s tours.

The way the ticketing giant makes money directly is through its ticket service charge, which its website says is to “cover the costs involved in running our website and booking line.” But Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation have been criticized in recent months for its “dynamic pricing ” system, lack of transparency, and imposing of high fees that have left consumers feeling scammed .

In March, British rock band The Cure demanded Ticketmaster partially refund fans who in some instances paid service fees that were over half the cost of their original ticket.

Be wary of the ticket resale market

Given Ticketmaster’s monopoly—which is now being challenged in the US—consumers are left with few choices when buying tickets. Purchasing from a scalper or reseller also poses risks , and tickets are not necessarily cheaper. Resale tickets for Renaissance were listed for as much as $12,000 on surging demand, while Eras tickets shot up to as much as $28,000 .

“When huge stars tour…there’s massive demand for tickets—but that can lead to rogue secondary ticket operators reselling tickets at extortionate prices without providing clear information or warning about the risk that people could be turned away at the door,” said Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at the UK consumer rights group Which?.

She added: “If you’re on the hunt for tickets, it’s advisable to go through a primary seller as you’ll have more rights should things go wrong compared to a secondary seller.”

Ticketmaster also hosts resellers on its site, but takes a 10% fee from the posted ticket price.

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Taylor Swift 'The Eras' Tour vs Beyonce 'Renaissance' Tour: Which One Is The Biggest?

The Swifties and Beyhive have been fighting all over social media, primarily on Twitter, as each of the fandoms asserts dominance over the other on which tour is more successful than the other - is it "The Eras" Tour or "Renaissance" Tour?

Now, reports are finally in as the two tours come to a close on their respective legs. Check out which tour has grossed more than the other.

Beyonce 'Renaissance' Tour Sales, Gross Earnings

According to a Billboard Pro report , Beyonce's "Renaissance" World Tour is the top-grossing touring act of May 2023. The Billboard Boxscore reported that the first nine shows of Beyonce's "Renaissance" World Tour have racked up $67.5 million which equates to 461,000 tickets, making her the highest-grossing act of the month, and the first woman in four years to top the said charts.

But that was just in May, as she culminates the European leg in Warsaw, Poland, Beyonce's "Renaissance" World Tour was reported  to have amassed $154.4 million amounting to 1 million tickets across her 21-date show in Europe.

Billboard also noted that Beyonce's European leg is the biggest among her tours in the past. "The Formation Tour" in 2016 and "On The Run" II Tour collectively earned $87 million only.

Notably, her biggest earner was her five-day show in London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which grossed more than $42.2 million from 240,000 tickets. She is the highest-grossing female, black artist, and any act from the United States to have reaped those numbers.

READ ALSO: Beyoncé 'Renaissance World Tour': Fans Praise Blue Ivy for Gaining More Confidence Each Show

Taylor Swift 'The Eras' Tour Sales, Gross Earnings

In the United States, Taylor Swift is not yet done with her American leg of "The Eras" Tour. As she added more dates to her SoFi Stadium show, her total concerts in the US have now been bumped to a total of 53.

In a recent Pollstar report,  it was expected and projected to rake in a total of $1.4 billion in revenue as she makes her way to Europe in 2024. According to a Variety report , the said "conservative" estimation just relied on the face value of the tickets that were sold out across the announced venues throughout the world.

If the projections would come to fruition, Taylor Swift's "The Eras" Tour would be the biggest tour in history and the first one to reach and surpass the $1 Billion threshold. She would have to beat Elton John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" Tour which generated $884 million only.

'Renaissance' vs 'The Eras'

Based on the present data, we could not exactly conclude whose tour is bigger than what based on the continent each artist is touring on.

Since Swift's 34-date Europe tour would only start next year, we could not compare it to Beyonce's already-finished one. The same goes with Swift who hasn't finished her US Tour, and Beyonce's just about to start.

Since Swift's number isn't out yet, Beyonce remains on top; but given Pollstar's projections Taylor Swift could easily be hailed the winner.

READ ALSO: Taylor Swift 'The Eras' Tour: More Dates for California, Europe Added - Details

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Lawmakers set to tackle ‘funflation’ as Taylor Swift tour puts spotlight on growing entertainment costs

(CNN) - Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which dropped on Friday, became the most-streamed album on its first day across Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music.

The superstar continues to break record after record. Last summer’s “Eras” tour was the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. Swift’s live success, along with Beyonce’s blockbuster tour, jolted the entire U.S. economy, but fans willing to shell out big bucks to be a part of the magic were plagued by ticketing troubles and inflation.

“This is a significant amount of spending that people are still funneling towards entertainment and concerts,” said Elizabeth Renter, data analyst for NerdWallet.

The phenomenon of “funflation” is raising red flags in Washington.

The U.S. Justice Department is planning to sue Live Nation & Entertainment, the country’s largest concert promoter and parent company of Ticketmaster, for breaking America’s antitrust laws, according to reporting from the Wall Street Journal that cited anonymous sources familiar with the DOJ’s plans.

“It’s impossible for a consumer to tell what’s going into these ticket prices,” said Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair contributor. “It’s really frustrating on the consumer side and also feels unfair.”

For its part, Ticketmaster has defended its practices, arguing before Congress last year that it doesn’t set ticket prices or determine how many seats go up for sale.

“Pricing and distribution strategies are determined by the artists and their teams. Service fees, even if they’re called ticketing fees, are retained mainly by the venues,” said Joe Berchtold, president and CFO of Live Nation & Entertainment.

Yet, despite consumer anger over exorbitant fees when buying online, the concert-going craze isn’t over.

“People have rethought how they prioritize what they spend their money on and that we’re going to see continued spending on experiences rather than just stuff,” Renter said.

Copyright 2024 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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Taylor Swift Eras tour ticket scams could have conned UK fans out of more than £1m, bank warns

Fans of Coldplay, Beyonce and Harry Styles were also targeted by scams last summer, Lloyds has said. The bank has issued a warning to fans after analysing reports of customers who have been conned since tickets went on sale in 2023.

Wednesday 17 April 2024 00:54, UK

Taylor Swift fans in the UK could have already lost more than £1m to con artists pretending to sell concert tickets for her Eras tour, a major bank has estimated.

Lloyds Bank has issued a warning to fans based on an analysis of purchase scams reported by its customers, as well as those of Halifax and Bank of Scotland, where Swift and/or the Eras Tour were referenced as part of the claim.

More than 600 Lloyds Banking Group customers have reported being scammed since tickets went on sale in July 2023.

Each victim lost £332 on average, though in some cases the loss was more than £1,000, Lloyds said.

With the figures based solely on its own customer data, Lloyds estimates there are likely to have been at least 3,000 victims across the UK - with more than £1m lost to fraudsters - based on its current account market share and assuming similar trends across other UK banks.

Fans aged 25 to 34 trying to buy sold-out tickets are most likely to be targeted, with many scams originating on social media, Lloyds warned.

Fans of Coldplay , Beyonce and Harry Styles were also targeted by scams last summer, it added.

Purchase scams involve tricking someone into sending money via bank transfer to buy goods or services that are fake, shoddy, or do not exist.

Ticket scams often involve fake adverts, posts or listings on social media, offering tickets or access to events which have already sold out as fraudsters know they can cash in on eager fans willing to pay much more by falsely claiming to have tickets for sale.

Swift's record-breaking Eras tour is set to gross more than $1bn (£813m), according to reports, with tickets for shows selling out as soon as they went on sale.

By the time it ends in December, the star will have played more than 150 shows across five continents.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

'If it looks too good to be true, it probably is'

Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at Which?, said people buying gig tickets should use a credit card for anything costing more than £100, or PayPal, as both these methods can provide protection.

"We've heard from disappointed Swifties who have bought tickets on social media, only to realise it's a scam when their promised tickets never materialise," she said. "Unfortunately, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

"Don't be tempted to buy tickets from anyone other than authorised sellers, as your rights can be significantly reduced if something goes wrong."

Read more: Taylor Swift now a billionaire Swift and Kelce spotted at Coachella

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Anyone who thinks they have fallen victim to a ticket scam should contact their bank and report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, she added.

Liz Ziegler, Lloyds Bank fraud prevention director, said: "It's easy to let our emotions get the better of us when we find out our favourite artist is going to be performing live, but it's important not to let those feelings cloud our judgement when trying to get hold of tickets."

Related Topics

• Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Ye feud timeline: VMAs to 'The Tortured Poets Department'

Look what you made her do — again.

On Friday, Taylor Swift reignited her years-long feud with reality TV royal and SKIMS mogul Kim Kardashian nearly 15 years after the moment that sparked a timeline of events featuring ups, downs and a "never getting back together" between the pair.

In Swift's new album, "The Tortured Poets Department," she apparently takes aim at Kardashian in a pair of songs: "Cassandra" and "thanK you aIMee." The latter's title features Kardashian's first name in capital letters. Then, in the song's lyrics, Swift throws more shade at Kardashian.

'Cassandra', 'thanK you aIMee': Read more about the new 'Tortured Poets Department' songs

"I don't think you've changed much and so I changed your name and any real defining clues ; And one day, your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you," Swift said in an apparent reference to the daughter of Kardashian and Ye (formerly Kanye West ), North West. Early last year, North West posted a TikTok featuring Kardashian, with the two dancing to "Shake It Off," from 2014's "1989."

Three days later, the rumored "Aimee" herself did her first televised interview since "TTPD's" release with Jimmy Kimmel but didn't address Swift's lyrics. The " Jimmy Kimmel Live !" host instead had Kardashian – who said "life is good" – confirm or deny online claims about her.

If you aren't "Keeping Up" with their feud, here's a refresher about the beef between the two frenemies.

2009: Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift at 2009 MTV Video Music Awards

At the 2009 MTV VMAs, Ye produced something other than music: controversy. As Swift was accepting a VMA for best female video, beating Beyoncé's video for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," he stepped on stage and grabbed the mic out of the Swift's hand with a pointed proclamation.

“Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’mma let you finish,” Ye said. “But Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!”

This moment set the stage for the existing beef between Swift and Kardashian who was married to the Chicago-born rapper from 2014 to 2022. A year after the VMAs, Swift performed her song "Innocent," which is reportedly about this incident.

2009: Kim Kardashian says, 'I'm the biggest Taylor Swift fan'

2009 was also the year that Kardashian answered "Taylor Swift, Love Story," referring to the song off Swift's second album "Fearless," when asked what the No. 1 song on her iPod was during a red- carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight .

"I love Taylor Swift; I'm the biggest Taylor Swift fan. I'm watching her on Twitter. I just signed up for Twitter. I'm watching you Taylor, following!" Kardashian told ET at the time.

'Tortured Poets' release live updates: Taylor Swift drops 15 extra songs at 2 a.m.

2015: Taylor Swift presents Kanye with MTV Video Vanguard Award, a lifetime achievement award

At the 2015 VMAs, six years later at the same award ceremony where Ye interrupted her, Swift introduced the "Stronger" rapper and gave him the MTV Video Vanguard Award , a lifetime achievement award.

"I guess I have to say to all the other winners tonight, I'm really happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Kanye West has had one of the greatest careers of all time," Swift said during the introduction . "Right now, I am honored to present the 2015 Video Vanguard Award to my friend, Kanye West."

During his 10-minute long acceptance speech, Swift celebrated with Kardashian.

2016: Kanye West releases 'Famous' song, says 'I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex"

In 2016, the beef between both West and Swift was reheated — and Kardashian cooked up her own feud with the "Style" hitmaker.

That year, Ye released "Famous," which included the controversial lyrics, "I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex. Why?" before using an expletive and saying he made Swift famous.

The song received mixed reactions, but West clapped back, saying he received Swift's approval to include the lyrics. However, Swift denied that she approved of the lyrics at the time.

"I did not diss Taylor Swift and I’ve never dissed her," he posted on Twitter , now X, at the time, adding that "I’m an artist and as an artist I will express how I feel with no censorship."

He also claimed he'd asked Kardashian "for her blessings and she was cool with it" and that he'd "called Taylor and had a hour long convo with her about the line and she thought it was funny and gave her blessings."

"I’m not even gone take credit for the idea … it’s actually something Taylor came up with … She was having dinner with one of our friends (whose) name I will keep out of this and she told him I can’t be mad at Kanye because he made me famous!  #FACTS" he added.

Kanye West explains how 'Famous' changed his life

At the time, Taylor Swift's publicis,t Tree Paine, released a statement to USA TODAY about the release of "Famous."

"Kanye did not call for approval, but to ask Taylor to release his single 'Famous' on her Twitter account. She declined and cautioned him about releasing a song with such a strong misogynistic message. Taylor was never made aware of the actual lyric, 'I made that (expletive) famous,'" Paine said.

2016: Kim Kardashian releases audio recording of West family's view of 'Famous' controversy

In February 2016, at the 58th Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift accepted the album of the year award for "1989," which established her as a pop music powerhouse after completing a successful crossover from the country genre.

“To all the young women, there are going to be people along the way who try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame,” Swift said in her speech . “But if you just focus on the work and don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday, when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there. That will be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Pop culture experts and media pundits speculated that the acceptance speech was about Kardashian and West. Then, in July that year, Kim Kardashian released something of her own — and it wasn't music.

Instead, the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star posted videos on Snapchat of Swift appearing to support West's "Famous" lyrics during a phone call between Swift and the rapper.

Next came the famous statement: “I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative, one that I have never asked to be a part of, since 2009,” Swift posted on her social media accounts. The backlash was swift, with Ye's fans responding to her message in droves, calling her a snake for seemingly lying about not approving Ye's lyrics.

2017: Taylor Swift releases snake-themed single, music video 'Look What You Made Me Do' and 'Reputation' album

After the controversy, Swift retreated from the public and started a private relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn .

Following this self-imposed exile, Swift bit back in her sixth album, "Reputation."

The music superstar wiped her Instagram clean and returned in August 2017 with an aptly named lead single, "Look What You Made Me Do" which features defiant lyricism.

The first few lines of the song go, "I don't like your little games, don't like your tilted stage/ The role you made me play of the fool/ No, I don't like you." The lyrics seemingly referred to West's "The Life of Pablo" tour stage in addition to her "role" in the feuds between herself and the couple.

"Reputation" addressed a series of her publicized friendship fallouts and falling in love with Alwyn. Later, Swift released a revealing Netflix documentary "Miss Americana," which explored this time in her life and the shedding of her public All-American girl persona.

2020-2021: Extended recording between Taylor Swift and Kanye West leaked, Kardashian and Ye divorce

In 2020, an extended version of the recording between Kardashian and Swift was anonymously leaked. The recording brought renewed attention to the feud and showed a more complete account of Swift and Kanye West's conversation, according to Variety and TODAY .

“Instead of answering those who are asking how I feel about video footage that was leaked, proving that I was telling the truth the whole time about *that call* (you know, the one that was illegally recorded, that somebody edited and manipulated in order to frame me and put me, my family, and fans through hell for 4 years), swipe up to see what really matters,” Swift wrote in an Instagram story after the leak.

She sent viewers to Feeding America's and the World Health Organization's websites to donate "if you have the ability."

A year later, Kardashian filed to divorce Ye . The pair share four children: North, Saint, Chicago "Chi" and Psalm.

2023: Taylor Swift calls out Kim Kardashian in Time Person of the Year interview

In December, during a wide-ranging interview for her honor as Time magazine's 2023 Person of The Year, Swift called out Kardashian. The profile touched on the "Famous" controversy and explored Swift's entire career, from country starlet to global superstar.

"You have a fully manufactured frame job, in an illegally recorded phone call, which Kim Kardashian edited and then put out to say to everyone that I was a liar," she told Time.

"That took me down psychologically to a place I've never been before. I moved to a foreign country. I didn't leave a rental house for a year. I was afraid to get on phone calls. I pushed away most people in my life because I didn't trust anyone anymore. I went down really, really hard."

Revelations from Taylor Swift's Time interview including Kim Kardashian, Ye feud

April 2024: Taylor Swift calls out Kim Kardashian in new song title lyrics

In "thanK you aIMee," which is reportedly about Kardashian , Swift acknowledges that conflict "made her heal."

In classic Swift fashion, she got creative with her capital letters on the track "thanK you aIMee," a song about a mean schoolgirl. Or is it? The "KIM" most often associated with Swift is Kardashian, who famously referred to Swift with a snake emoji.

There are also several mentions of snakes on "Cassandra." Snakes are commonly associated with the Kardashian/West vs. Swift feud.

Another lyric in "thanK you aIMee" indicates the names on the track can't be trusted: "I changed your name and any real defining clues. And one day, your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you."

Contributing: Bryan West

Courtney Love Vs. Taylor, Madonna, and More: An (Incomplete) Beef Timeline

By Andy Greene

Andy Greene

Courtney Love has never been shy when it comes to sharing her opinions about other people. Going all the way back to the early Nineties, the Hole singer has generated headlines by publicly trashing rock musicians, pop singers, movie stars, and even members of her own family. It’s a level of brutal candor you rarely see with public figures, but as Courtney Love told Rolling Stone in 1994, she simply doesn’t care what others think about her. “If people try to put me in the crazy box–’crazy fucking Courtney’–go ahead,” she said. “But if you think you’re going to stop me from where I’m going, you’re not going to do it.”

She’s been relatively quiet in recent years, but the old Courtney came roaring back in a recent interview with The Standard , where she blasted many of the biggest names in music, including Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

Brad Pitt – According an interview Courtney Love gave Marc Maron in 2022 , she lost out on a role in 1999’s Fight Club after telling Brad Pitt he couldn’t create a Kurt Cobain biopic. “I don’t know if I trust you, and I don’t know that your movies are for profit,” she claims to have said to him. “They’re really good social justice movies, but…if you don’t get me, you kind of don’t get Kurt, and I don’t feel like you do, Brad.” When news of this broke in 2022, Love took to Instagram to clarify her thoughts. “I told the story because I felt Pitt would not stop pursuing Kurt — unless I said it in public,” she said. “I don’t want Brad to be pissed off at me and become his resentment. I want him to do better. I’m not into assault. Cmon brother Pitt. I wish you well, truly. If he’s mad at me, that’s his problem. I enjoy him as a movie star immensely. Not so much as a biopic producer.”

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The situation deteriorated greatly in the 2000s, especially when Love accused Grohl of inappropriate behavior towards Frances Bean Cobain, something both parties emphatically denied, but they made a fragile truce in 2014 when Nirvana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Early on in the evening I just tapped her on the shoulder,” Grohl told Rolling Stone that year. “She turned around and I just said, ‘Hey.’ She said, ‘Hey.’ Then we gave each other a big hug. I said, ‘How are you?’ She goes, ‘Good, how are you?’ I said, ‘All right.’ And she said, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s rock this tonight.’ We’re family, no matter what. And we all love each other, no matter what.”

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Olivia Rodrigo – In 2021, Olivia Rodrigo released promotional images from her Sour Prom special that were reminiscent of the Hole’s 1994 Live Through This album cover. “Stealing an original idea and not asking permission is rude,” Love wrote. “This person’s music has nothing to do with my life. Possibly never will. It was rude, and I gave every right to stick up for my work. Don’t gatekeep me! I’m honourable as fuck to my fellow artists, and I expect the same.” Rodrigo brushed off the accusation when asked about it during an interview with GQ magazine . “To be honest, I’m just flattered that Courtney Love knows that I exist,” she said.

Madonna – Shortly after the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna was speaking to Kurt Loder when a makeup compact landed at her feet. She looked down to see that Courtney Love threw it up. “Courtney Love is in dire need of attention right now,” Madonna said. “She’s throwing her compact at me.” This led to an agonizingly awkward encounter on live TV where Love began rambling about why she wanted to work in a hospital. “Nice clothes,” she said. “Good money…” Madonna cut her off with a legendary zinger: “And a lot of available drugs.” Earlier this week, Love shared some thoughts about Madonna. “I don’t like her, and she doesn’t like me,” she said. “I loved Desperately Seeking Susan, but for the city of New York as much as her.”

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Lana Del Rey – In almost the same breath, she went after Lana Del Rey. “I haven’t liked Lana since she covered a John Denver song, and I think she should really take seven years off,” Love said. “Up until ‘Take Me Home Country Roads,’ I thought she was great. When I was recording my new album, I had to stop listening to her as she was influencing me too much.”

Beyoncé – If she didn’t anger enough passionate fan bases when bashing Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey, she also spoke negatively about Beyoncé’s music. “I like the idea of Beyoncé doing a country record because it’s about Black women going into spaces where previously only white women have been allowed, not that I like it much,” Love said. “As a concept, I love it. I just don’t like her music.”

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