UK Music Tourism Hits Record 11.2 Billion in 2025, 24.7 Million Visitors
The United Kingdom’s live‑music sector set a new benchmark last year, generating £11.2 billion in economic impact from 24.7 million visitors, according to UK Music’s “This Is Music 2025” report.
The figure marks a 4.8 % rise in visitors and an 11.3 % increase in spending compared with 2024, when 23.5 million people toured the UK for music and spent £10 billion. 74,000 full‑time equivalent jobs were supported in 2025, a 3 % growth over the previous year.
Key drivers
Stadium tours by Oasis, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Fender, Chris Brown, Blackpink and Stray Kids pulled in massive crowds. Major festivals—Glastonbury, Download, Reading, Boomtown and Wireless—also drew record attendances, pushing both footfall and spending to unprecedented levels.
Domestic and overseas visitors
Domestic music tourists numbered 22.6 million, up 3.2 % year‑on‑year. Overseas visitors climbed sharply to 2.1 million, a 26.8 % jump from 1.6 million in 2024. The rise in international fans was linked to European‑exclusive dates by Coldplay, Lana Del Rey and Oasis, which attracted listeners from outside the UK.
Regional impact
The North West saw a 15.6 % increase in music‑tourism spending, reaching £1.4 billion, largely driven by Oasis’s sold‑out shows at Manchester’s Heaton Park. London’s spending rose 27.4 % to £3.4 billion, buoyed by events such as Glastonbury and Ed Sheeran’s concerts in Ipswich. Newcastle hosted the 2025 Mercury Prize for the first time, pulling in around 8,000 visitors and contributing an estimated £1.4 million to the local economy; the city also staged the MOBO Awards during the year.
Challenges
Despite record figures, UK Music highlighted ongoing pressures on the live‑music ecosystem. Rising touring costs, financial strain on grassroots venues, post‑Brexit barriers that affect UK‑EU touring, and cost‑of‑living pressures on audiences were cited as key challenges. The Association of Independent Festivals reported that 43 UK festivals were cancelled, postponed or closed permanently in 2025, compared with 78 in 2024.
Industry reaction
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said the data underscored the economic value of the live sector and 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 the figures reaffirm the UK’s position as a global leader in live music and reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the wider music ecosystem.
Current situation
The 2025 report confirms that the UK live‑music sector continues to grow in visitor numbers and spending, creating jobs and generating regional economic benefits. However, the sector faces structural challenges that may limit further expansion unless addressed through policy and industry initiatives.
