The Weeknd claims highest-grossing tour record overtaking Michael Jackson

The Weeknd has achieved an extraordinary milestone by surpassing the long-standing revenue record set by the iconic Michael Jackson for the highest-grossing tour by a Black artist. 

After an impressive reign of 36 years, Michael Jackson's record has finally been overtaken by The Weeknd, solidifying his status as a music industry powerhouse.

The record was previously held by Jackson's legendary 'Bad Tour' in 1987, which amassed an impressive cash value of $311 million when adjusted for inflation.

'After Hours Til Dawn' tour which commenced in the summer of 2022, has exceeded all expectations, generating a staggering $350 million in ticket sales alone, according to calculations by Hot New Hip Hop.

The Weeknd took to his official social media accounts on Wednesday afternoon (July 12) to pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson. 

He shared a video of himself performing a cover of Jackson's 1988 hit song, Dirty Diana, during his concert in Belgium. Accompanying the post, he wrote, expressing his admiration for the King of Pop: "my king. then, now and forever. rest easy."

During Michael Jackson's Bad Tour in 1988, fans had a clear understanding of ticket costs, with prices set at £17.50 (equivalent to approximately £60 in 2023) for a show at Wembley Stadium.

In contrast, his ongoing tour has already attracted over a million attendees. However, it is crucial to note that Jackson's Bad Tour drew an astounding 4.5 million fans. 

When analyzing these fan numbers, it becomes evident that The Weeknd's ticket profit margin is likely higher than that of the Bad Tour due to the disparity in attendance figures.