Coldplay sets record for largest stadium show of the 21st century
Image credit: Stevie Rae Gibbs.
Over 223,000 fans witnessed Coldplay’s historic two night performance in Ahmedabad, India.
Two nights, a historic milestone
British rock band Coldplay has set an extraordinary milestone, breaking the record for the largest stadium show of the 21st century. Performing for over 223,000 fans across two nights at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, the shows marked a groundbreaking moment for live music.
The record-breaking performances were part of Coldplay’s global Music of the Spheres Tour, which kicked off in March 2022. On the first night in India, 111,581 fans filled the stadium, followed by an even larger crowd of 111,989 the next evening. For context, these figures surpassed the largest crowd on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which drew 96,000 fans in Melbourne, Australia. They also narrowly beat the 110,905 attendees at George Strait’s June 2024 show at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field.
Music of the Spheres: A truly global tour
Coldplay’s Ahmedabad shows marked their first-ever performances in India and were the biggest in their career. The tour has become a global phenomenon, selling over 10.3 million tickets as of December 2024 and making it the highest-selling tour in history. With a gross revenue of $1.14 billion, it stands as the second highest-grossing tour of all time, trailing only Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Spanning five continents, the Music of the Spheres Tour has sold out stadiums worldwide. The next leg of the tour kicks off in April 2025, with upcoming shows in Hong Kong, China, and Seoul before returning to North America. The tour is set to conclude with 10 sold-out nights at London’s Wembley Stadium in August and September 2025.
Touring for artists
Coldplay’s achievements underscore the vital role touring plays for artists. Beyond opening revenue opportunities through ticket sales and merchandise, touring can allow you to connect with and expand to new audiences.
While the live music industry continues to face challenges, moments like this underscore the resurging demand for live performances in a post-pandemic world. Music’s ability to unite people on such a grand scale is a powerful reminder of its transformative impact.