BEYONCÉ RULES 2025 AS ‘COWBOY CARTER’ BECOMES THE YEAR’S HIGHEST-GROSSING SOLO TOUR

Beyoncé has once again proven why she sits at the very top of the music industry, after her ‘Cowboy Carter’ world tour was officially named the highest-grossing tour of 2025 by a solo artist. The monumental achievement cements her status not only as one of the most influential performers of her generation, but as one of the most commercially successful touring artists of all time.

The 32-date stadium tour wrapped up in spectacular fashion in July with a final run of shows in Las Vegas, and the numbers now tell an extraordinary story. ‘Cowboy Carter’ grossed a staggering $407.6 million (£305.5 million) and sold 1.6 million tickets, making it the biggest solo artist tour of the year. The figures place Beyoncé comfortably ahead of her contemporaries and reinforce her reputation as an unstoppable live performer.

The tour followed the release of her critically acclaimed album Cowboy Carter, which saw the superstar blend country, Americana, soul and pop influences while continuing to challenge musical boundaries. Fans and critics alike praised the project for its ambition and cultural impact, and that enthusiasm clearly translated into ticket sales, with venues selling out within minutes of going on sale.

Trailing Beyoncé in the 2025 solo touring rankings is The Weeknd, whose 46-date ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ tour grossed $336.7 million (£251.7 million). While an impressive total by any measure, it still fell some distance behind Beyoncé’s powerhouse figures. Earlier this year, it was reported that The Weeknd’s tour, which originally began back in 2022, had become the highest-grossing tour by a male artist in history, highlighting just how competitive the live music landscape has been.

However, when it comes to solo artists in 2025, Beyoncé remains in a league of her own. Her ability to consistently draw massive crowds across multiple continents, while delivering meticulously produced, high-energy performances, continues to set the benchmark for modern touring.

While Beyoncé topped the solo artist category, the overall highest-grossing tour of the year belonged to Coldplay. Their ongoing ‘Music Of The Spheres’ tour saw the band play 59 shows during 2025 alone, generating an incredible $464.9 million (£347.7 million). The band’s long-running global trek has been praised for its eco-conscious approach and stadium-sized spectacle, helping them secure the year’s top overall touring crown.

Even so, Beyoncé’s achievements remain historic. With ‘Cowboy Carter’ surpassing the $400 million mark, she has now become the first American artist ever to have two separate tours gross over $400 million. Her 2023 ‘Renaissance’ tour previously reached an astonishing $579 million (£434 million) across 56 shows, and was widely recognised as one of the highest-grossing tours of all time.

For fans, these numbers are more than just statistics. They reflect Beyoncé’s unique ability to evolve with every era while maintaining an unwavering connection with her audience. From the dance-heavy spectacle of ‘Renaissance’ to the genre-defying ambition of ‘Cowboy Carter’, each tour has felt like a cultural moment rather than just a concert.

As the live music industry continues to rebound and grow, Beyoncé’s dominance shows no sign of slowing down. With records shattered, history made and millions of fans entertained, 2025 will be remembered as yet another year where Beyoncé didn’t just compete, she completely redefined what touring success looks like.