Rock music continues to prove its enduring commercial power in 2026, with legendary acts AC/DC, the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen ranking among the highest-grossing touring artists of the year.
According to Pollstar’s midyear touring figures, AC/DC emerged as the top-performing rock act globally during the first half of 2026, generating more than $120 million in ticket revenue from just 15 shows on their ongoing Power Up Tour. The Australian rock giants sold more than 900,000 tickets, demonstrating that demand for their electrifying live performances remains as strong as ever decades into their career.
The Eagles followed as another major force on the road, earning approximately $69.7 million through a combination of residency dates and select live appearances. Despite performing the same number of shows as AC/DC, the band commanded some of the highest average ticket prices in the industry, highlighting their continued appeal among concertgoers.
Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band continued their remarkable touring success, grossing roughly $58.4 million from 14 performances. The Boss sold around 230,000 tickets during the period, reinforcing his reputation as one of rock’s most reliable live draws. Springsteen’s latest touring run follows the record-breaking success of his 2023–2025 tour, which became the highest-grossing tour of his career.
Another notable rock success story came from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which generated more than $60 million through an extensive schedule of over 100 performances. Their ability to combine high attendance with a large number of dates once again placed them among the most profitable rock acts on the planet.
While rock veterans dominated their genre, the overall worldwide touring rankings were led by global superstars from other musical styles. Bad Bunny topped the list with more than $225 million in gross revenue, followed by Lady Gaga and BTS. AC/DC nevertheless secured an impressive fourth-place position overall, making them the highest-ranked rock act on Pollstar’s global chart.
The figures also reflect a healthy live music industry. Pollstar reported that worldwide concert grosses climbed by more than 12 percent year-over-year, reaching approximately $3.16 billion during the first half of 2026, while ticket sales surpassed 26 million. The strong growth contradicts concerns that the concert business was slowing down, instead suggesting that fans remain eager to pay premium prices for major live events.
For rock music, the success of AC/DC, the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen sends a clear message: even in an era dominated by streaming and younger pop stars, classic rock remains one of the most powerful forces in live entertainment. Their ability to fill stadiums, arenas and residency venues around the world continues to generate massive revenues and proves that great songs and legendary performances never go out of style.
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