UK Music Tourism Reaches Record 11.2 bn in 2025, 24.7 m Visitors, 74,000 Jobs Created

Music tourism in the United Kingdom set a new benchmark last year, with 24.7 million visitors spending a record £11.2 billion on concerts and festivals. The figure represents a 4.8 % increase from 2024 and underscores the sector’s growing contribution to the national economy.

Domestic attendance grew 3.2 %, reaching 22.6 million, while overseas tourists surged 26.8 % to 2.1 million. The jump in international visitors was largely driven by stadium tours that were exclusive to Europe, including headline dates from Coldplay, Lana Del Rey and Oasis. These high‑profile events attracted fans from across the continent and amplified the UK’s appeal as a live‑music destination.

Stadium spectacles and major festivals were the main engines of the year’s growth. Artists such as Oasis, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Fender, Chris Brown, Blackpink and Stray Kids drew large crowds, while festivals like Glastonbury, Download, Reading, Boomtown and Wireless added significant ticket sales and ancillary spending.

The economic ripple extended beyond the stage. Music tourism supported 74,000 full‑time equivalent jobs in 2025, a 3 % rise over 71,760 in 2024. The employment figure includes direct spending on tickets, travel, accommodation, food and on‑site purchases, as well as indirect spending throughout the supply chain. Regional impacts were notable: the North West saw a 15.6 % increase in tourism spending to £1.4 billion, helped by Oasis’s sold‑out shows at Manchester’s Heaton Park; London’s spending climbed 27.4 % to £3.4 billion, and events such as Glastonbury and Ed Sheeran’s Ipswich concerts boosted activity outside the capital.

Newcastle’s hosting of the 2025 Mercury Prize, the first time the award was held in the city, drew roughly 8,000 visitors and injected an estimated £1.4 million into the local economy. The city also staged the MOBO Awards during the year.

Despite the record figures, UK Music highlighted ongoing challenges. Rising touring costs, financial pressure on grassroots venues, post‑Brexit barriers affecting UK‑EU touring and cost‑of‑living pressures on audiences were cited as significant issues. The Association of Independent Festivals reported that 43 UK festivals were cancelled, postponed or closed permanently in 2025, compared with 78 that did not go ahead in 2024.

"The results demonstrate the economic value of the UK’s live music sector," said UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl. He called for continued government support for grassroots venues, action against ticket touting and measures to reduce barriers for UK artists touring in Europe. Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray echoed the sentiment, noting that the figures underline the UK’s position as a global leader in live music and reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the wider music ecosystem, including grassroots venues, touring opportunities and consumer protection against ticket resale abuse.

The 2025 report confirms that music tourism remains a vital contributor to the UK economy, delivering record visitor numbers, spending and employment while highlighting the need for policy support to sustain growth and address sector challenges.