EXO’s 2018 concert in Seoul holds the mind-blowing record of selling out in 0.2 seconds, demonstrating the incredible power of fandom in the modern music industry.
In this article, we’ll explore the fastest-selling concerts of all time, analyze the factors behind these remarkable events, and learn more about what makes fans rush to secure their spots.
Top 10 Fastest Sold-Out Concerts of All Time
Some concerts are so highly anticipated that tickets vanish in mere seconds, breaking records and crashing websites.
Here’s a look at the top 10 fastest sold-out concerts of all time, showing the unmatched demand for these iconic artists.
| Artist/Band Name | Year | How fast it sold out? (time) |
|---|---|---|
| EXO | 2018 | 0.2 seconds |
| BTS’s “Map of the Soul” | 2019 | 90 minutes |
| The Stone Roses | 2012 | 68 minutes |
| Michael Jackson’s “This is It” Tour | 2009 | 4 hours |
| Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” | 2023 | 2.5 hours |
| Robbie Williams’ “Close Encounters Tour” | 2005 | 24 hours |
| AC/DC’s “Power Up Tour” | 2024 | Few hours |
| Codpay’s “Music of the Spheres” | 2022 | Less than an hour |
| Take That’s “Progressive Live” | 2010 | 24 hours |
| U2’s “The Joshua Tree Tour” | 2017 | 24 hours |
Let’s get into the details of each concert and try to understand what made them the fastest-selling concerts.
1. EXO’s Concert in Seoul
This K-pop powerhouse redefined the meaning of “instant sellout” with their unprecedented demand. Fans bought their tickets and made them sell out within a timeframe of 0.2 seconds, making them the fastest sold-out concert ever.
| Year | 2018 |
| Venue/ City | Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Seoul |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 0.2 second |
| Number of tickets sold | Approximately 14,000 |
This record-breaking achievement highlights the immense popularity of K-pop artists. This trend continues with other performers like J-Hope Tour, to attract global audiences with his energetic performances and dedicated fandom.
The concert featured elaborate stage designs, special effects, and the group’s signature choreography that fans were desperate to witness live, contributing to this record-breaking moment in concert history.
2. BTS’s “Map of the Soul” Tour at Wembley
The global K-pop sensation showed its worldwide dominance through its massive ticket demand. Fans queued online for hours, crashing ticketing sites in multiple countries.
| Year | 2019 |
| Venue/ City | Wembley Stadium, London |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 90 minutes |
| Number of tickets sold | Approximately 114,000 (across two dates) |
When BTS announced their Wembley Stadium dates, even experienced concert promoters underestimated the ARMY’s power. Fans from across Europe desperately tried securing tickets to what many described as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The significance of selling out this iconic venue, where legendary acts like Queen and Michael Jackson once performed, cannot be ignored. The band performed a special rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It is expected that the BTS will tour concerts at various places. However, there is no official announcement of it.
3. The Stone Roses at Heaton Park
The Manchester legends’ reunion triggered a crazy ticket-buying frenzy among British music fans. Tickets sold out within minutes, sparking a resale market with soaring prices.
| Year | 2012 |
| Venue/ City | Heaton Park, Manchester |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 14 minutes |
| Number of tickets sold | 220,000 (across three dates) |
The band hadn’t performed together in 16 years, creating a huge demand among original fans and a new generation discovering their influential catalog. The homecoming aspect, playing in Manchester where their legend began, further added emotional weight to the event.
Many fans kept refreshing multiple browser windows while simultaneously calling ticket lines. The speed at which these massive shows sold out confirmed that The Stone Roses weren’t just a band but a cultural institution that had a strong impact.
4. Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” Tour
The King of Pop’s planned final tour created unprecedented demand before his tragic passing. Fans from around the world rushed to secure seats for the historic shows.
| Year | 2009 |
| Venue/ City | O2 Arena, London |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 4 hours |
| Number of tickets sold | Over 750,000 (for 50 scheduled shows) |
Michael Jackson’s comeback announcement created the perfect excitement and urgency. The initial plan for 10 shows quickly expanded to 50 due to overwhelming demand, setting a record for a single artist at one venue.
This sellout was particularly tragic because these shows never occurred due to Jackson’s unexpected death shortly before the tour was scheduled to begin. This bittersweet memory showed Jackson’s unmatched drawing power and legacy.
5. Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour”
The pop superstar’s setlist, with her whole career journey, created huge ticket demand worldwide. Taylor Swift is one of the most famous singers in the world.
| Year | 2023 |
| Venue/ City | Multiple venues across North America |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 2.5 hours |
| Number of tickets sold | 2.4 million (first North American leg alone) |
Swift’s tour concept, covering all eras of her musical career, resonated deeply with fans. The tour became a cultural phenomenon, with fans creating elaborate outfits representing different album eras and trading friendship bracelets at shows.
The demand was so intense that it prompted Congressional hearings about ticket sales practices. Despite technical difficulties and scalping issues that frustrated many fans, Swift’s tour showed her strong connection with the audience.
6. Robbie Williams’ “Close Encounters Tour”
The British pop star’s European stadium tour shattered attendance records. Their show drew massive crowds, cementing their status as a global icon.
| Year | 2005 |
| Venue/ City | Multiple venues across Europe |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 24 hours |
| Number of tickets sold | 1.6 million |
Williams’ stadium tour had a massive appeal across multiple European countries. Fans were camping outside ticket offices. While not as instantly sold out as some concerts on this list, the sheer volume of tickets sold in such a short timeframe made all the difference.
The tour’s success was particularly impressive given its ambitious scale and the logistical challenges of performing in massive stadiums. The tour became one of Europe’s most bankable live performers.
7. AC/DC’s “Power Up Tour”
The legendary rock band proved its multigenerational appeal with remarkable ticket sales. Fans, young and old, packed arenas, celebrating decades of timeless anthems together.
| Year | 2024 |
| Venue/ City | Multiple venues worldwide |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | Varies by venue (many within hours) |
| Number of tickets sold | 1.5 million |
After several years away from touring, AC/DC’s return created enormous anticipation among rock fans.
The band’s appeal across generations contributed to the quick sellout; parents who attended their concerts in the ’80s and ’90s were now buying tickets alongside their children. The tour featured the perfect mix of classics and newer material from their “Power Up” album.
8. Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour”
The British band’s commitment to sustainability didn’t slow down their massive ticket sales. They kicked off their tour in January 2025 in Abu Dhabi and will conclude on September 8, 2025, at London’s Wembley Stadium. So, get ready to book the tickets and reserve your place in the Coldplay concerts.
| Year | 2022 |
| Venue/ City | Multiple European venues |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | Less than an hour |
| Number of tickets sold | 1.4 million (Second European leg) |
Coldplay’s focus on environmental sustainability created buzz around an already highly anticipated tour. The band’s broad appeal across different demographics contributed to the rapid sellout, with their music connecting with listeners from multiple generations.
This tour used innovation, featuring kinetic dance floors where fans’ movements generated electricity and biodegradable confetti. Fans appreciated the band’s efforts to minimize environmental impact without sacrificing the immersive experience.
9. Take That’s “Progress Live”
The reunited British boy band (with Robbie Williams) created major demand. Their comeback tour quickly sold out venues nationwide, thrilling fans everywhere.
| Year | 2011 |
| Venue/ City | Multiple venues across the UK |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 24 hours |
| Number of tickets sold | 1.3 million |
The reunion of the complete original Take That lineup created nostalgia and curiosity. Many fans had waited 15 years to see all five members perform together again.
The tour’s ticket sales were so overwhelming that additional dates were rapidly added, and still, demand exceeded supply. It appealed not just to original fans from the ’90s but also to a new generation. This tour shows how strategic reunions, when done right, can become successful.
10. U2’s “The Joshua Tree Tour”
The Irish rock legends’ anniversary tour, celebrating their iconic album, sold out venues worldwide.
| Year | 2017 |
| Venue/ City | Multiple venues worldwide |
| How fast it sold out (seconds, minutes, hours) | 24 hours |
| Number of tickets sold | 1.1 million |
U2’s decision to perform their album 30 years after its release struck a chord with longtime fans. The band revamped their older material in ways that spoke to current social and political issues.
The show’s visual elements, particularly the massive 8K resolution screen, created an immersive experience that justified the premium ticket prices. This tour illustrated how artistically significant albums can make fans eager to experience live, even decades after their release.
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Fastest Sold-Out Tours
The concert industry has witnessed some truly remarkable fastest-selling concerts, which sold massive numbers of tickets in record time.
- Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” stands as the current record holder, with an astonishing 2.4 million tickets sold in a single day for its first US leg alone.
This shattered previous records held by legends like Robbie Williams, whose “Close Encounters Tour” sold 1.6 million tickets, and AC/DC’s “Power Up Tour” with 1.5 million tickets.
- Other notable entries include Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” (1.4 million tickets),
- Take That’s “Progress Live” (1.3 million), and
- U2’s “The Joshua Tree Tour” (1.1 million).
From pop to rock to alternative, these record-breaking tours created a sense of urgency and event status beyond just a concert.
Most Expensive Concerts That Still Sold Out Instantly
Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” tour topped the charts, with VIP packages reaching $5,000. The tour offered premium viewing and exclusive merchandise that sold out in minutes.
Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” tour tickets sold up to $4,000 for front-row experiences with meet-and-greet opportunities.
Madonna’s “Celebration Tour” wasn’t far behind, with $3,500 VIP packages vanishing instantly despite the hefty price tag. These astronomical figures reflect fans’ willingness to splurge on once-in-a-lifetime experiences with their musical icons.
The Rolling Stones’ “No Filter Tour” featured premium packages exceeding $1,500, yet still sold out major stadiums globally. Their longevity and legendary status created the perception of a “bucket list” experience worth the premium price.
Similarly, Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica Ball” offered VIP experiences around $2,000 that included merchandise, exclusive viewing areas, and pre-show receptions. Despite the high price point, these packages sold out within minutes of release at most venues.
Note: The price details mentioned above were taken from Wikipedia.
Fastest Sold Out Concert World Records
These are some of the fastest-selling out concerts that set world records.
According to Ticketmaster, Led Zeppelin’s 2007 Reunion Concert sold out in 20 milliseconds, though this figure is disputed as it likely reflects when the ticket selection process began rather than actual sellout time.
Phish’s 2017 “Baker’s Dozen” residency at Madison Square Garden sold out individually rather than as a package over 13 nights, with each night selling out within minutes, creating a unique consecutive sellout record.
Garth Brooks’ 1998 Central Park Concert technically “sold out” instantly despite being free. The permit allowed 250,000 attendees, but approximately 750,000 showed up, creating the largest concert attendance in the park’s history.
In 2015, the Grateful Dead’s Final Shows received over 500,000 mail-order ticket requests for approximately 210,000 available tickets, the largest physical mail-order ticket request in concert history.
Metallica’s 2013 concert in Antarctica may hold the record for “fastest sellout on a continent.” All tickets were claimed within minutes, though the total attendance was only about 120 scientists and contest winners.
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Conclusion: EXO’S Concert In Seoul Is The Fastest Sold-out Concert, Within 0.2 Seconds
The fastest sold out concerts are much more than just ticket sales statistics; they represent the powerful connection between artists and their audiences.
The next time you’re nervously refreshing a ticket page, remember you’re participating in a tradition that spans generations and musical boundaries.
FAQs
EXO’s “The ElyXiOn” in Seoul (2017) sold out in 0.2 seconds, making it one of the fastest sellouts ever recorded.
Jean-Michel Jarre’s 1997 concert at Moscow State University attracted an estimated 3.5 million attendees, making it one of the largest concerts ever held.
While BTS’s Busan concert in 2022 sold out in 15 minutes, reports suggest that tickets were no longer available within seconds due to high demand.
Robbie Williams holds the record for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day for his 2006 World Tour.
Rod Stewart’s 1994 New Year’s Eve concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro drew an estimated 3.5 million people, marking it the highest-attended free concert.
