Metallica has been crowned as the Kings of the Metal World, but now, they’ve officially been named the top-selling touring band across the globe.
According to Pollstar, Metallica has sold approximately 22.1 million tickets since 1982, bringing in around 1.4 billion in sales. Acts like AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne followed in sales with 14 million and 13.2 million, respectively. However, the rockers of Guns N’ Roses came the closest – pulling in a total of $800 million with their latest Not In This Lifetime Tour.
They’ve continued to sell out shows for 40 years — and it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere anytime soon.
“I keep thinking and forcing myself to think all our best years are still ahead of us,” drummer Lars Ulrich told Pollstar. “We may even turn professional and do this full time one day. That’s the MO. It’s always, ‘What’s your favorite record?’ It’s the next one, the one we haven’t recorded yet. it’s always about the possibilities, always about what can be, what’s coming.
“That, to me, is what this is all about and I think the attitude is a big part of why Metallica still connects to so many people around the world.”
Metallica has been on their WorldWired Tour since 2016, which has already played in cities across the globe. On the trek, they announced the unique “black ticket” option, which allowed hardcore fans to access to the floor seats at any stop on tour. They’re performing in support of their latest record, Hardwired…to Self Destruct, which dropped in 2016.
