U2 came close to becoming the top in Pollstar ratings of the millennium but was narrowly edged out by one famous British band. With record-breaking tours like Zoo TV and The Joshua Tree Anniversary, U2 has captivated millions worldwide. Their stadium-filling performances and global acclaim underscore why fans consider them one of the most influential touring acts of modern music.

Thus, fans would not have been totally surprised if U2 dominated the chart, if not for the success of the tours of this British boy band.

U2 almost makes it to the Top 1 of The Pollstar Ratings of the Millennium 

U2 came agonizingly close to dominating Pollstar’s top touring artists of the millennium, but Coldplay narrowly claimed the crown. With over 24.8 million tickets sold across 731 concerts since 2001, Coldplay’s consistent global appeal and festival-spanning tours secured their leading position.

U2 ranked second with an impressive 20.2 million tickets sold. Their 360° Tour, spanning 2009 to 2011, held the record for the highest-grossing tour for eight years, demonstrating the band’s unmatched ability to fill stadiums with elaborate stage designs and spectacular performances.

Since 2001, U2 has undertaken six major tours, including The Joshua Tree Tour with its five-month stadium run in 2017 and return shows in 2019. Their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere residency in Las Vegas further showcased their ongoing innovation with forty concerts from September 2023 to March 2024.

Although Ed Sheeran momentarily surpassed U2 with the ÷ (Divide) Tour, and later the +-=÷x (Mathematics) Tour, U2’s enduring legacy and record-breaking performances kept them firmly at number two. Fans continue to celebrate U2’s unmatched touring achievements worldwide, and debate their past tour of the millennium.

The U2 tour that fans still treat as this millennium’s reigning champion

Among U2’s towering tours of this millennium, the U2 360° Tour has emerged as the clear fan-favorite. Supporters consistently highlight its scale, ambition, and record-breaking success. It remains the benchmark for stadium performances in the modern era.

The U2 360° Tour earned its status through unprecedented attendance, staggering revenue, and the monumental four-legged ‘Claw’ stage. This architectural spectacle allowed audiences to surround the band entirely. The tour’s design transformed typical stadium limitations into breath-taking possibilities.

Fans often describe the 360° era as a peak moment for the band’s creativity and confidence. With material from ‘No Line on the Horizon’ anchoring the setlist, the group delivered shows that felt both expansive and emotionally precise. The experience still resonates strongly today.

Although recent spectacles like U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere dazzled with technological wizardry, fans repeatedly return to the 360° Tour as their definitive choice. They praise its unity of scale, innovation, and spirit. For many, it remains U2’s ultimate live triumph.

Which U2 tour is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra