Aus venues make Global 10 Top-Grossing Venues list

Australia has come in fifth and sixth in Billboard’s list of the 10 top-grossing concert venues in the world.

Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena placed fifth behind LA venue The Forum, while Sydney’s Allphones Arena was the sixth top-grossing venue, ahead of four US venues.

Six US, two UK and two Australian concert venues make up the list. Topping the list is the 23,000 capacity London venue, The O2. Like Allphones, The O2 is also managed by AEG Ogden.

The list follows Billboard’s mid-year global touring report, which listed the two Australian venues in its Top 10 this July.

The 16,820-capacity Rod Laver Arena grossed $36.3 million from 366,450 tickets to 35 shows between November 12, 2014 and June 2, 2015.

Billboard’s current report made mention of P!nks’ record-breaking 18 dates in the venue in 2013. The Truth About Love Australian tour saw her perform to over 600,000 fans across 46 national dates and to a total 250,000 fans in Melbourne alone.

The venue’s General Manager Brian Morris, who is Chief Executive for Melbourne and Olympic Parks, is currently overseeing a $200 million renovation of the venue.

Sydney’s 21,000-capacity Allphones Arena grossed $30.6 million between November 2014 and June 2015, after 28 shows drew 272,4013 patrons. This year it has already hosted the likes of Drake, Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, 5 Seconds of Summer and The Eagles. Its 2013/14 year was its busiest since opening in 1999, having hosted Rihanna, One Direction (who performed seven dates), Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen and Queen with Adam Lambert.

Allphones Arena General Manager Guy Ngata told TMN: “Allphones Arena’s inclusion in this list of prestigious venues is testament to the strength of the Sydney market, the quality performers we have hosted, the fantastic promoters of Australia with whom we work and the dedication, hard work and commitment from the venues staff. 

"News of such achievements is always great to hear particularly as we head into a very busy concert and events period."

See below for Billboard’s 10 Top-Grossing Venues and their respective General Managers.

1. The O2

London

Rebecca Kane Burton, 40, GM

2. Madison Square Garden

New York
Dana Dufine, 49, senior vp/head of West Coast operations, Madison Square Garden Company
Alex Diaz, 42, senior vp/GM, Madison Square Garden Arena

3. Manchester Arena

Manchester, England
James Allen, 42, GM

4. The Forum

Los Angeles
Dana Dufine, 49, senior vp/head of West Coast operations, Madison Square Garden Company
Nick Spampanato, 47, vp/GM

5. Rod Laver Arena

Melbourne, Australia
Brian Morris, 59, chief executive, Melbourne and Olympic Parks

6. Allphones Arena

Sydney
Guy Ngata, 41, GM

7. American Airlines Center

Dallas
Dave Brown, 55, executive vp/GM

8. Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia
John Page, 50, president, Wells Fargo Complex

9. Barclays Center

Brooklyn
Brett Yormark, 49, CEO, Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets

10. Staples Center

Los Angeles
Lee Zeidman, 60, president, Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and L.A. Live

Image: 5 Seconds of Summer at Allphones Arena