The most anticipated tours of 2026 revealed - but are any coming to Leeds?

The record-breaking figure - a 5 per cent increase from the previous year - comes from the industry's annual economic report, This Is Music 2025, which highlights a sector that is now growing faster than many other parts of the UK economy.

The industry now supports a record 220,000 full-time jobs, ranging from world-class performers to the behind-the-scenes engineers and tour crews who make large-scale stadium events possible, and songwriters and composers saw a significant boost, with PRS for Music paying out over £1 billion in royalties for the first time in history.

UK music fans are also spending more than ever, with streaming revenues topping £2 billion and vinyl sales jumping by over 13% as physical media continues its surprising revival.

However, while our digital and physical collections are growing, the real 'gold rush' of 2026 is happening on the stage.

This surge in spending is being driven by a newfound ‘experience economy,’ where fans are increasingly willing to trade their savings for a spot in a stadium crowd.

To find out exactly who is driving this feverish demand, ticketing experts at Fanatix have analysed global search data and streaming trends to identify the most anticipated tours of the year - and more importantly for Leeds music fans, are any of them coming to our city over the next 12 months?

Methodology

These rankings were compiled by analysing average monthly Google search volumes for specific tour dates and ticket availability to gauge active buyer intent. This was then balanced against Spotify popularity metrics to weigh each artist's current global reach and listener base.

Finally, the team measured real-time fan engagement, tracking social media mentions and regional interest peaks following tour rumors or official announcements to ensure the list reflects the most current hype in the industry.

What are the most anticipated tours and concerts of 2026?

The results of the Fanatix study place global superstar Bad Bunny at the top of the list, boasting 281,000 average monthly searches as his "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" tour travels across the globe.

He is followed by The Weeknd, who is set to dominate Wembley Stadium for several nights this August, and country artist Zach Bryan, whose rising stardom has made him the third most anticipated touring act of the year.

Other high-ranking names include Lady Gaga, whose "MAYHEM Ball" tour has sparked a global frenzy, and Olivia Dean, who has seen her search volume skyrocket following her record-breaking chart double in late 2025.

The top 10 most anticipated tours and concerts of 2026

1. Bad Bunny (281,000 monthly searches)
2. The Weeknd (216,000 monthly searches)
3. Zach Bryan (168,000 monthly searches)
4. Lady Gaga (147,000 monthly searches)
5. Olivia Dean (118,000 monthly searches)
6. Ariana Grande (99,200 monthly searches)
7. My Chemical Romance (94,700 monthly searches)
8. Pitbull (93,000 monthly searches)
9. Lewis Capaldi (74,900 monthly searches)
10. Dua Lipa (68,000 monthly searches)

Are any of these tours coming to Leeds in 2026?

While many of the world's biggest stadium tours are gravitating toward London and Manchester, Leeds has secured several major exclusive dates.

Two of the global Top 10 are confirmed for massive outdoor shows at Roundhay Park as part of the American Express presents Roundhay Festival.

Global rank number eight, Pitbull, will headline the park on July 3 with support from Kesha, followed by rank number nine, Lewis Capaldi, who makes his highly anticipated return to the city on July 4.

Tickets to both shows can be purchased as of today through Ticketmaster.

Looking for some of the best Leeds has to offer, gig-wise, throughout February? Check out our picks for what’s coming to the city next month.