During the 20th century, some of the biggest names in music toured the world, showcasing what was possible when an artist built a large fan base. From Ozzy Osbourne and some of the biggest boy bands ever, these musicians laid the groundwork for global entertainment. Once the 21st century rolled around in 2001, it was clear new acts had a lot to live up to. However, there were some from years past still proving they could hang.

For those who saw the Rolling Stones perform in the '80s, they were elated to see the band still among the top-selling acts into the 2000s. Additionally, new acts like Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran have emerged and proven to be some of the most consistent sellers.

Of course, as times have changed, so have ticket prices and everything associated with these concerts. This has allowed one of the biggest artists in the world, Taylor Swift, to make more money on one tour than previously imagined possible. This proves the 21st century is ready to shine, just like the tours from years ago. Here are the 10 best we've seen thus far, ranked.

10 The Police Reunion Tour (2007-2008)

The Police

From 1977 until 1983, The Police took over the world as one of the best-selling English rock bands. They had a slew of hits, from "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" to "Every Breath You Take." Even though they only put out five albums, each of them has been Platinum-certified in the United States. The only thing that could stop the band was themselves, and this is exactly what happened when they disbanded.

After their 2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, fans still had hope that a reunion tour could happen, and in 2007 it did. The group toured the world for over a year, until their last show in August 2008 at Madison Square Garden. Since then, the band has yet to reunite again and does not have plans to do so. Nonetheless, they were able to prove their star power one last time with their reunion tour, and gave fans a lasting memory.

9 WorldWired Tour (2016-2019)

Metallica

When music pundits consider the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, Metallica is always in that conversation. Through their decades as a band, Metallica have released 11 studio albums and showcased what true stadium rock is. This is because it's hard to envision Metallica playing anything but the absolute biggest stages in the world. In fact, Metallica has become so large, they have been able to add multiple nights to their tours.

As a band that can fill a stadium two nights in a row, it not only demonstrates how great their songs are, but also how loyal their fan base is. To help cement their legacy, Metallica made the Top 10 for highest-grossing tours in the 2010s. This was for their WorldWired Tour, where the band traveled for almost three years. This was a great achievement for a group that has given their all to music, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them break their own record as they continue to entertain night after night.

8 Vertigo Tour (2005-2006)

U2

One of the most impressive touring acts ever is U2. They burst on the scene in 1976 and by the 1980s, they already had one of their most successful tours, titled The Joshua Tree Tour. They followed this up with two more Top 10 tours in the 1990s. Then, the most important tour in the band's history started in 2005. It was their most commercially successful, and it solidified that their momentum would continue.

Following the Vertigo Tour in 2005, U2 went on to have another three successful tours. They have shown that they will continue to strive to outdo what they have accomplished before and will never rest on their laurels. As Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, U2 are known for their litany of hits, but one aspect that should be praised more is how great of a live band they truly are. There are not a lot of musicians who have had a run like this.

7 Not In This Lifetime… Tour (2016-2019)

Guns N’ Roses

Before the release of their first record, Guns N' Roses were already out entertaining fans. After the debut of their first studio album, which many consider the best debut ever, they became as sought-after as the biggest acts in the world. For a few years, they remained at the top of the rock world, but it would all come to an end. The Guns N' Roses that fans had come to know was over by the mid-1990s.

They would have to wait until 2016 to see the band finally reunite in mostly full form, but it became one of the biggest tours ever. With Slash, Axl Rose, and Duff McKagan back together again, fans were ready to rock with Guns N' Roses once more. It was so successful that the band has continued to follow up with even more tours. This was a big deal for rock music, and it continued to help pave the way for more reunions of groups moving forward.

6 Music Of The Spheres World Tour (2022-2025)

Coldplay

There have been high expectations for Coldplay to live up to from the start of their career, as they have been compared to bands such as U2 and Snow Patrol. Hits like "Yellow," "Paradise," and "Sky Full of Stars" have helped the band achieve worldwide fame. After being used to performing on the biggest stages, such as the Super Bowl Halftime Show, it is no wonder Coldplay has been able to become one of the most successful touring bands.

Their first Top 10 tour occurred between 2016 and 2017, as the Head Full of Dreams Tour became the third highest-grossing of the 2010s. Proving they could keep up with the legends they're compared to, they returned in 2022 to start the Music of the Spheres World Tour. Over the course of a few years, they have managed to rank behind only Taylor Swift, as they have pulled in over one billion dollars in profit. Given their trajectory, the next tour could exceed this astronomical figure.

5 Love On Tour (2021-2023)

Harry Styles

Harry Styles will always be ed for his time in One Direction, but since the group ended in 2016, he has set out to prove he can be just as successful as a solo artist. So far, he is doing just that, as his first three solo studio albums have all gone platinum. With songs such as "As It Was," "Fine Line," and "Sign of the Times," Styles has established himself as an artist that people not only want to hear, but also see.

His Love On Tour was proof that he was ready to be one of the biggest acts in the world. Consisting of seven legs and spanning 22 months, Styles did everything from having US residencies in iconic venues like Madison Square Garden to performing in the largest stadiums in Europe. He placed himself on the list of the biggest musicians in the world, including some legends such as Elton John. Now, there is no denying the star power Styles posses, and he is poised to continue on as a top solo artist.

4 ÷ Tour (2017-2019)

Ed Sheeran

Becoming one of the most successful solo acts at a time when he's competing against the likes of Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and more has made Ed Sheeran one of the greatest musicians in the world. The fact that he is about to have 10 songs with over one billion streams on Spotify puts in perspective how sought-after his music is. In the 2010s, he proved how much of a global sensation he was with his ÷ Tour.

This is one of those accomplishments that will contribute to his Hall of Fame conversations someday.

This tour became the highest-grossing tour of the entire decade, placing him above absolute legends such as Roger Waters. This is one of those accomplishments that will contribute to his Hall of Fame conversations someday. He's also proven he can follow up his success with his +–=÷× Tour, becoming one of the best of the 2020s. It is clear his momentum isn't slowing, and it will be no surprise to see him on these lists for decades to come.

3 A Bigger Bang Tour (2005-2007)

The Rolling Stones

Having performed over 2,000 live shows, the Rolling Stones have become one of the most popular music acts to ever live. After starting in the '60s, the band has managed to release more than 30 studio albums, and with the work they've done, they could have their own wing in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their 2005 expedition, A Bigger Bang Tour, was not the first time the band had the highest-grossing show of an entire decade. However, it did generate the most revenue for them.

This tour was so huge the band documented it through a video release. During their travels, they even made a stop at Ford Field in Detroit to perform the Super Bowl Halftime Show. It's truly amazing what they have been able to accomplish, and the fact they have maintained their loyal fans for this long. The Rolling Stones have proven that good old-fashioned rock and roll sells; it just takes some risks and a belief in the material.

2 Farewell Yellow Brick Road (2018-2023)

Elton John

On his way to becoming one of the most consistent artists of all time, Elton John has embarked on 49 tours. This is an incredible number, but it's his last tour that will define his career. Kicking off in 2018, Elton played over 300 shows spanning multiple years on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. According to John, this was the last tour he would ever embark on, so for one final time, he gave fans all across the globe everything he had.

Kicking off in 2018, Elton played over 300 shows over a few years on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.

All of his effort paid off, as it has become one of the highest-grossing tours of the 2020s, earning nearly one billion dollars. This figure showed just how much fans wanted to see Elton one last time. He will undoubtedly be ed as one of the best live musical acts ever. However, even though his touring days may be over, he is still making music, and has teased doing one-off shows in the future.

1 The Eras Tour (2023-2024)

Taylor Swift

When the conversation arises about the biggest musicians in the world, there is no doubt Taylor Swift will come up. She has become not only one of the most famous musicians but also one of the most famous people in general. To capitalize on her success, Swift embarked on the biggest tour of her career, The Eras Tour. It has become the highest-grossing tour not only of the 2020s, but of all time, as it has earned over two billion dollars.

To accomplish this feat, Swift set out in 2023 and played 143 shows across five continents. The tour was a tribute to all the work she has released thus far. During each show, she performed for hours, putting on one of the greatest spectacles ever seen in music. A ticket to her show became the most sought-after in touring history, and the revenue she brought in rivaled that of the biggest events ever. How Swift will top this remains to be seen, but there is no doubt she can.