Brief
Live performance revenue in Australia dips as ticket sales fall
Live Performance Australia data shows ticket revenue fell to A$3.4 billion as average ticket prices rose sharply.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Australia’s live entertainment sector recorded a modest decline in 2025, with ticket revenue slipping to A$3.4 billion, according to Live Performance Australia data published by Billboard.
What happened
Concert attendance fell to 13.7 million tickets, a 2.4% drop from the previous year, generating A$1.8 billion in revenue, down 0.9% from the 2024 peak. Overall ticketed attendance across all live‑performance categories decreased 2.4% to 30.7 million. Average ticket prices rose 14.1% to A$206.17 ($144), the highest level ever recorded for the industry.
What the reports add
Billboard notes that contemporary music concerts remained the dominant revenue source, accounting for 53.5% of total income and 44.8% of attendance. Festival ticket sales rose 4.9% to 2.1 million, with revenue just under A$400 million, up 20.7% year‑on‑year. The report attributes the relatively strong performance of concerts and festivals to high‑profile international tours by artists such as Lady Gaga, AC/DC and Billie Eilish.
What was said
“These results were attributable to a strong array of major international tours and festival line‑ups, attracting higher average ticket prices,” the report’s editors said.
Live Performance Australia CEO Eric Lassen remarked, “Australians love their live performance experiences but are under more intense cost‑of‑living pressures and being more selective in their ticket buying choices which led to a softening in overall demand in 2025.”
He added, “Our producers and presenters are grappling with rising costs of production and touring which is reducing operating margins and increasing financial risk, particularly in the theatrical sector.”
How it came about
The data reflects broader economic pressures, with headline inflation at 3.8% in 2025. While ticket prices rose sharply, the increase only partially offset higher production costs, leading to a net revenue decline. Musical theatre suffered the steepest drop, with revenue and attendance each falling more than 16%.
Key facts
- Ticket revenue fell to A$3.4 billion in 2025 (billboard.com)
- Concert attendance dropped 2.4% to 13.7 million tickets (billboard.com)
- Average ticket price rose 14.1% to A$206.17 (billboard.com)
- Festival revenue grew 20.7% to just under A$400 million (billboard.com)
- Musical theatre revenue and attendance each fell over 16% (billboard.com)
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Australia’s Live Entertainment Industry Feels The Pinch From Escalating Costs”
