Going to live music performances is a means of showing passion for music and admiration for musicians. Throughout the years, these events have drawn numerous enthusiasts. Therefore, what are the largest concerts up until 2025 ?
The largest concert attendance was achieved by Rod Stewart. Many musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, have attracted substantial audiences to their performances. Several of these gatherings have been documented in The Guinness Book of Records as some of the biggestconcerts ever.
Largest concerts worldwide up until 2025
| Rank | Event | Date | Venue | Estimated Attendees |
| 1 | Rod Stewart's New Year's Eve performance | 31 December 1994 | Copacabana Beach | 4.2 million |
| 2 | Jean Michel Jarre's 850th Anniversary of the Moscow Concert | 6 September 1997 | State University of Moscow | 3.5 million |
| 3 | Jorge Ben Jor's New Year's Eve performance | 31 December 1993 | Copacabana Beach | 3 million |
| 4 | Jean Michel Jarre's Performance on Bastille Day | 14 July 1990 | La Défense | 2.5 million |
| 5 | Love Parade Festival | 19 July 2008 | Westfalenhallen | 1.6 million |
| 6 | Monsters of Rock Concert | 28 September 1991 | Tushino Airfield | 1.6 million |
| 7 | The Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang Tour Performance | 18 February 2006 | Copacabana Beach | 1.5 million |
| 8 | Jean Michel Jarre's Rendezvous Houston concert | 5 April 1986 | Downtown Houston | 1.3 million |
| 9 | Diana Ross Global from New York: Together Forever | 21 July 1983 | Great Lawn, Central Park | 1.2 million |
| 10 | Peace Without Borders Concert II | 20 September 2009 | Plaza de la Revolución | 1.1 million |
| 11 | Jean Michel Jarre's Performance on Bastille Day | 14 July 1979 | Place de la Concorde | 1 million |
| 12 | Antonello Venditti's Scudetto Celebration Show for A.S. Roma | 24 June 2001 | Circus Maximus | 1 million |
| 13 | The Pol'And'Rock Festival | 3 August 2019 | Przystanek Woodstock | 1 million |
| 14 | Liberty Statue Weekend Music Event | From July 3 to July 6, 1986 | Lincoln Center, Central Park Great Lawn, Governors Island | 800,000 |
| 15 | Isle of Wight Festival | From August 26 to August 31, 1970 | Afton Down Terrain | 700,000 |
| 16 | Modena Park 2017 | 1 July 2017 | Parco Enzo Ferrari | 225,173 |
| 17 | 2005 Tour: Sarajevo, Zagreb, Belgrade | 15 June 2005 | Belgrade Hippodrome | 220,000 |
| 18 | The Paul McCartney Global Tour | 26th of September 1989 to 29th of July 1990 | Maracanã Stadium | 184,000 |
| 19 | The Game Tour | 20 March 1981 | Estádio do Morumbi | 131,000 |
| 20 | Bad World Tour | 27th of June 1992 – 11th of November 1993 | Aintree Racecourse | 125,000 |
The Top 20 Most Massive Concerts Featuring the Biggest Audiences Ever
In addition to uniting individuals, music concerts offer an excellent opportunity to witness incredible performances. Throughout musical history, various events have set records for attendance. Here is a list of some of the largest concerts globally:
1. Roger Waters' The Wall Live at Mexico City - Estadio Azteca (2012): This show drew over 75,000 attendees.
2. Paul McCartney’s performance at Brazil’s Estádio do Morumbi (2005): It attracted more than 64,000 fans.
3. Dave Matthews Band Concerts across multiple venues with high turnouts.
4. Garth Brooks’ benefit concert in India which gathered around 480,000 spectators.
Note: These figures may vary depending on sources consulted.
1. Rod Stewart's New Year’s Eve Performance (1994) - 4.2 million
- Artist: Rod Stewart
- Event: New Year’s Eve Concert
- Venue: Copacabana Beach
- Location: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Date: December 31, 1994
- Attendees: 4.2 million
The massive concert held by Rod Stewart on New Year’s Eve in 1994 at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro holds the record for being the largest ever. This historic event welcomed an astounding 4.2 million attendees who enjoyed a free show. Rod Stewart delivered an electrifying performance that left everyone spellbound.
The concert claims the number one position in the Guinness World Records as it hosted the largest outdoor event featuring the most extensive audience ever assembled.
2. The 850th Anniversary Celebration of Jean Michel Jarre’s Moscow Concert (1997) - 3.5 Million
- Artist: Jean Michel Jarre
- Event: The 850th anniversary of the Moscow Concert
- Venue: State University of Moscow
- Location: Moscow, Russia
- Date: September 6, 1997
- Attendees: 3.5 million
Moscow is both an ancient city and extremely extensive. Each year, celebrations take place to mark its founding anniversary. The 850th-anniversary concert of Moscow in 1997 stands out as one of the largest musical events ever documented in history.
Jean Michel Jarre played a concert at Moscow State University for approximately 3.5 million attendees. It truly marked an extraordinary way to celebrate the city’s birthday.
3. Jorge Ben Jor’s New Year’s Eve Performance (1993) - 3 million
- Artist: Jorge Ben Jor
- Event: New Year’s Eve Concert
- Venue: Copacabana Beach
- Location: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Date: December 31, 1993
- Attendees: 3 million
Copacabana Beach is renowned globally for hosting some of the largest gatherings at musical events in history. This expansive 4-kilometer stretch of sand has accommodated iconic concerts.
On December 31, 1993, Jorge Ben Jor conducted a New Year’s Eve Concert which demonstrated this fact. Approximately three million individuals filled the beach for this event. It marked the inaugural performance to surpass the three-million-attendee milestone.
4. Jean Michel Jarre's Bastille Day Performance (1990) - 2.5 million
- Artist: Jean Michael Jarr
- Event: Bastille Day Concert
- Venue: La Défense
- Location: Paris, France
- Date: July 14, 1990
- Attendees: 2.5 million
On July 14, 1990, Jean Michel Jarre transformed the La Défense district at the center of Paris into an entertainment hub for France’s national day. This specific Bastille Day celebration stands out as one of the most memorable events.
The 1990 Bastille Day Concert by Jean-Michel Jarre is ranked as the fourth largest attendance at a live concert globally, drawing over 2 million spectators.
5. Love Parade Festival (2008) - 1.6 million attendees
- Artist: Various DJs and musicians
- Event: Love Parade Festival
- Venue: Westfalenhallen
- Location: Dortmund, Germany
- Date: July 19, 2008
- Attendees: 1.6 million
Despite usually drawing big crowds, the 2008 Love Parade Festival saw an unprecedented attendance of 1.6 million people.
They enjoyed performances from Anja Schneider, Armin van Buuren, Audion, Carl Craig, DJ Hell, Dubfire, Felix Kröcher, Italoboyz, M.A.N.D.Y., The Märtini Brös with the Strings of Love orchestra, Paul Van Dyk, Richie Hawtin, and Underworld.
The city of Dortmund transforms into an open-air celebration zone each year as people gather for the parade.
6. Monsters of Rock Concert (1991) - 1.6 million attendees
- Artists: Metallica, AC/DC, Pantera, E.S.T., The Black Crowes
- Event: Monsters of Rock Concert
- Venue: Tushino Airfield
- Location: Moscow, Soviet Union
- Date: September 28, 1991
- Attendees: 1.6 million
The largest show Metallica ever staged was their yearly Monsters of Rock event in 1991, which drew an audience of 1.6 million hard rock enthusiasts despite Moscow being engulfed in political unrest and the impending dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Was Metallica responsible for hosting the largest concert in history? Indeed, they organized one of the most massive concerts ever recorded, which boasted an unprecedented number of attendees. The event also included performances from multiple bands such as AC/DC, Metallica, and Pantera. Notably, this occasion marked AC/DC’s largest audience attendance to date.
7. The Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang Concert (2006) - 1.5 million attendees
- Artist: The Rolling Stones
- Event: Bigger Bang Concert
- Venue: Copacabana Beach
- Location: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Date: February 18, 2006
- Attendees: 1.5 million
Copacabana Beach once more makes an appearance on the roster of the globe’s most popular spots for live concerts, ranking among the top 10 based on crowd size. During their A bigger Bang Tour concert on February 18, 2006, The Rolling Stones delivered an impressive show before a staggering audience of 1.5 million spectators.
8. Jean Michel Jarre's Rendezvous Houston Concert (1986) - 1.3 million
- Artist: Jean Michel Jarre
- Event: Rende-vous Houston Concert
- Venue: Downtown Houston
- Location: Houston, Texas, United States
- Date: April 5, 1986
- Attendees: 1.3 million
For a period, Jean Michel Jarre held the Guinness World Record when his concert "Rendezvous Houston" attracted 1.3 million attendees in downtown Houston on April 5, 1986.
Jean Michel Jarre delivered an impressive show atop skyscrapers. This event also marked the tribute to the Space Shuttle Challenger, coinciding with the launch of his album "Rendezvous."
9. Diana Ross Global from New York: Together Forever (1983) - 1.2 million
- Artist: Diana Ross
- Event: Diana Ross Global Tour Starting From New York
- Venue: Great Lawn, Central Park
- Location: New York City
- Date: July 21, 1983
- Attendees: 1.2 million
The concert titled "For One and For All" featuring Diana Ross drew an impressive crowd of around 1.2 million attendees. This grand spectacle was designed to mark the conclusion of her triumphant global tour.
The live event was arranged with a charitable aim, dedicating 7.5 percent of its earnings to restore a playground in Central Park close to West 81st Street. Diana Ross mentioned that this effort realized her longstanding desire to play an active role in such an endeavor.
10. Peace Without Borders Concert II (2009) - 1.1 million
- Artists: Juanes (the headliner) along with several other performers
- Event: Paz sin Fronteras II
- Venue: Plaza de la Revolución
- Location: Havana, Cuba
- Date: September 20, 2009
- Attendees: 1.1 million
The Paz Sin Fronteras Concert II refers to a music event titled "Peace Without Borders" held for the second time. The peace without boundaries concerts. Juanes, Colombia's musician, initiated these open-air concerts aimed at promoting peace across South American nations.
The performances included multiple globally renowned musicians. The second Paz Sin Fronteras concert took place at La Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, drawing an audience of 1.1 million attendees.
11. Jean Michel Jarre's Performance for Bastille Day (1979) - 1 Million Attendees
- Artist: Jean Michel Jarre
- Event: Bastille Day Concert
- Venue: Place de la Concorde
- Location: Paris, France
- Date: July 14, 1979
- Attendees: 1 million
Jean Michel Jarre's inaugural performance took place on July 14, 1979, coinciding with the Bastille Day festivities. Owing to his widespread appeal, the event drew an audience of approximately one million spectators.
The turnout set a fresh record in the Guinness Book of Records back then. Over four decades later, Jean Michel Jarre’s inaugural open-air concert at Place de la Concorde continues to be celebrated.
12. Antonello Venditti's Scudetto Celebration Show for A.S. Roma (2001) - 1 million
- Artist: Antonello Venditti
- Event: AS Roma's title win celebration concert
- Venue: Circus Maximus
- Location: Rome, Italy
- Date: June 24, 2001
- Attendees: 1 million
Many people in Rome were overjoyed when the Associazione Sportiva Roma soccer team (A.S. Roma) claimed its third national football championship (scudetto) in 2001.
AS Roma enlisted renowned Italian musician Antonello Venditti, one of the country’s leading musical figures at the time, to play a show at the Circus Maximus. The event drew over a million spectators, setting a record for the biggest audience at a live concert.
13. The Pol'And'Rock Festival (2019) - Attendance of 1 million
- Artist: The Black Eyed Peas along with several other artists
- Event: The Pol'and'Rock Festival or Woodstock Festival Poland
- Venue: Przystanek Woodstock
- Location: Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Poland
- Date: August 3, 2019
- Attendees: 1 million
The Pol'And'Reck festival, also referred to as the Woodstock Festival Poland, began in 1995. In 2019, this event reached its peak with approximately one million participants. Among the highlights were performances from The Black Eyed Peas, Ziggy Marley, and Prophets of Rage.
14. Liberty Island Concerts During Statue of Liberty Event (1986) - 800,000
- Artist: Johnny Cash, John Denver, YoYo Ma, Plácido Domingo, and others
- Event: Liberty Statue Weekend Music Event
- Venue: Lincoln Center, the Great Lawn in Central Park, Governors Island
- Location: New York City
- Date: July 3,4, 5,6, 1986
- Attendees: 800,000
The Statue of Liberty Weekend Concert was a four-day celebration marking both the 1984 renovation completion and the statue’s centennial since "Liberty Enlightening the World" first stood in New York City.
Starting from July 3, 1986, and ending on July 6, the event included music performances that went beyond typical concert standards. Over these days, a variety of acts covered different styles such as Americana, classical, swing, and pop, appealing to audiences across various age groups.
15. Isle of Wight Festival (1970) - 700,000 attendees
- Artists: Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Joan Baez, Caetano Veloso, Black Sabbath, and others
- Event: Isle of Wight Festival
- Venue: Afton Down Terrain
- Location: Afton Down
- Date: From August 26 through August 31, 1970
- Attendees: 700,000
The Isle of Wight Festival took place on the Isle of Wight off the coast of England during August 26–31, 1970. This significant musical gathering drew a huge crowd and boasted an impressive roster of artists. Among those who performed were legendary figures like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, and numerous others.
The event drew an estimated crowd exceeding 700,000 individuals, cementing its status as one of the biggest musical events of that era. It is notably recalled for Jimi Hendrix’s captivating performance.
16. Modena Park 2017 - 225,173
- Artists : Vasco Rossi
- Event : Modena Park 2017
- Venue : Parco Enzo Ferrari
- Location : Modena, Italy
- Date : 1 July 2017
- Attendees : 225,173
In 2017, Modena Park hosted a performance by renowned Italian rock artist Vasco Rossi. To mark four decades of his musical journey, he played an impressive setlist comprising exactly 40 tracks. After approximately three and a half hours of captivating entertainment, the evening concluded with his iconic song "Albachiara" from 1979, succeeded by a dazzling firework show.
17. 2005 Tour: Sarajevo, Zagreb, Belgrade - 220,000 attendees
- Artists : Bijelo Dugme
- Event : 2005 Tour: Sarajevo, Zagreb, Belgrade
- Venue : Belgrade Hippodrome
- Location : Belgrade
- Date : 15 June 2005
- Attendees : 220,000
The reunion tour showcased various configurations representing different periods of the band’s history, featuring lead singers such as Željko Bebab, Mladen Vojičić, and Alen Islamović. The tour encompassed three significant performances in the capitals of the former Yugoslavia—Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Belgrade—honoring their enduring impact and bringing together fans from all over the area.
18. The Paul McCartney World Tour - 184,000
- Artists : Paul McCartney
- Event The Paul McCartney Global Tour
- Venue : Maracanã Stadium
- Location : Rio de Janeiro
- Date : 26 September 1989 - 29 July 1990
- Attendees : 184,000
The Paul McCartney World Tour marks his debut as a solo performer with stages designed by renowned artist Brian Clarke. This performance set a record for the biggest audience ever gathered at a stadium during a rock and roll show.
19. The Game Tour - 131,000
- Artists : Queen
- Event : The Game Tour
- Location : Estádio do Morumbi
- Date : 20 March 1981
- Attendees : 131,000
The Game Tour was a concert embarked upon by the British rock group Queen to support their 1980 album. The Game This album marked one of Queen's greatest achievements, including popular hits such as Another One Falls Down and A Wild Little Something Called Love The largest concert ever held by the Queen attracted a crowd of 131,000 people.
20. Bad World Tour - 125,000
- Artists : Michael Jackson
- Event : Bad World Tour
- Venue : Aintree Racecourse
- Location : Liverpool
- Date : 11 September 1988
- Attendees : 125,000
The Bad World Tour marks Michael Jackson's largest concert turnout, drawing an audience of 125,000 attendees. This tour was organized to support his album release. Dangerous The tour ranked as the second highest-grossing of the decade and one of the most attended events in history.
What was the biggest concert ever held?
The record for the biggest concert ever held belongs to Rod Stewart’s New Year's Eve show at Copacabana Beach in 1994. This open-to-all event attracted approximately 4.2 million attendees.
Who constitutes the biggest paid crowd at a live performance?
On May 28, 2016, Christina Aguilera's performance drew an approximate crowd of 250,000 attendees. This event holds the record as the biggest turnout ever documented for a ticketed show to date.
What is the highest number of attendees recorded for a music festival?
In 2016, the Danube Island Festival set a record as the biggest crowd gatherer at a musical event. This outdoor and complimentary festivity drew approximately 3.1 million enthusiasts. Consequently, this yearly celebration in Vienna has become increasingly popular. Each year, it continues to draw bigger audiences along with renowned international performers.
Which tour has had the highest attendance ever?
Presently, Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour It holds the record for being the most-watched tour ever, with an impressive total of 8.9 million tickets sold over 260 shows across three successive years (2017–2019). Moreover, it was also the highest-attended tour within one calendar year, attracting approximately 4.86 million people in 2018.
Which concert has been the most successful globally?
The Eras Tour † Taylor Swift’s tour is the most profitable concert journey ever recorded, with an adjusted box office collection totaling $1,039,263,762.
Which artist has sold the highest number of concert tickets in history?
The Rolling Stones claim the distinction of being the highest-earning live musical performers ever, with their earnings surpassing $2.5 billion.
What is the global record for performing at the highest number of shows within one year?
David Lande established a record for attending the most concerts in one year, totaling an astounding 116 shows. His aim was to see live performances by every artist he could.
Which concert has had the largest audience attendance ever recorded?
The highest-attended concert ever recorded for live viewership belongs to Rod Stewart’s New Year's Eve show at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which took place on December 31, 1994. It drew an approximate crowd of 3.5 million attendees who came for the free event, setting a record as the biggest gathering at a single musical performance.
What are some of the largest benefit concerts in history?
Several major benefit concerts throughout history encompass America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001), Tsunami Relief Cardiff (2005), Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief (2017), and Concert for Ukraine (2022).
What is the record for the highest altitude at which a concert has been held?
In 2019, Ali Clifford and his ensemble claimed the title for the highest-altitude concert with their performance reaching an elevation of 6,476 meters (21,250 feet) atop Mount Everest. This achievement surpassed the earlier record and served as a charitable initiative aimed at highlighting climate change issues.
While numerous impressive shows have drawn large audiences and generated significant ticket sales, the following list highlights the largest concerts in recorded history. Many of these events took place outdoors, and the enthusiasm of music enthusiasts certainly made their mark.
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