Report: Paul McCartney’s Australian/ NZ tour grossed over $28.9m

Paul McCartney’s seven shows in five cities in Australia and New Zealand last month grossed over US$28.9 million, reported US-based live music trade publication Pollstar.

Sydney and Melbourne had doubleheaders. They were at Qudos Bank Arena Dec. 11-12 (14,543 capacity) and AAMI Park Dec. 5-6 (29,501 capacity), both sold out.

McCartney’s One On One world tour last year – 36 shows in 27 markets – had a total gross of $132,338,905, with 904,838 tickets moved.

It was the seventh best grossing tour of the year

It began in April with four shows in Japan, all sold out, and grossing over $27.8 million from the sale of 143,826 seats.

There was a U.S. arena runs in July and September, a Latin American run in October and Australia and New Zealand in December. 

The five Latin American dates were all in stadiums of over 45,000 capacity, and grossed $26 million – which made up 20% of the world tour’s revenue.

Pollstar noted that 60% of his gross (or $82 million) came from outside the United States.

This could possibly entice more superstars to follow his footsteps and devote more time to Australasia and South America.

The magazine said, “Obviously, the demand for one of the last living Beatles is astronomical, and there are few artists with a comparable catalogue.

“Still, these international markets are demonstrating increasing capacity to handle major touring acts.”