Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts generate ₹641 Cr economic impact

With a 65x surge in live event consumption and a stop on Ed Sheeran’s landmark India tour, Shillong emerges as a strong contender for India’s next live entertainment hotspot ~

National, April 30, 2025: EY-Parthenon (EY-P), the leading strategy consulting firm and BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination, have released a report titled ‘India’s rising concert economy: Coldplay’s Ahmedabad tour sets the blueprint for India’s next cultural boomtowns’, highlighting the impact of India’s largest-ever live entertainment spectacle – Coldplay’s two-night ‘Music Of The Spheres’ concerts in Ahmedabad, produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live. The report shares a scalable model for other Indian cities, governments and officials to work together to boost tourism, build better infrastructure and grow the economy.

The report serves as a roadmap for cities like Shillong, long recognised for its rich music culture, to transform into premier live entertainment destinations through focused investment in infrastructure, tourism and public facilities. As highlighted in BookMyShow’s annual entertainment consumption report Throwback 2024, Shillong saw a remarkable 65x surge in live event consumption last year. The city’s growing prominence was further underscored by global superstar Ed Sheeran’s recent +–=÷x Tour, which included Shillong as part of a landmark six-city India tour in February 2025, signalling its emergence as a vibrant market for both international and Indian artists.

‘Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour’ in India saw over 222,000 fans from over 500 cities and 28 States making their way to Ahmedabad, a testament to the magnetic pull of live entertainment. Music tourism surged, becoming one of the defining trends of the year. Tier 2 cities experienced a dramatic 682% growth in live events, including markets like Shillong, signaling a democratisation of entertainment access across the country.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in a significant endorsement of India’s concert economy, cited the Coldplay concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad as proof of the immense potential and rising demand for live events in the country.

Speaking on the report, Raghav Anand, Partner and Leader – Digital, Media and Convergence, EY-Parthenon, said, “As we witness the dynamic growth of India’s live entertainment sector, which has surpassed the INR 12,000 crore mark in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of around 19% over the next three years, the increasing consumer spends are fueling this transformative journey. This surge in consumer enthusiasm for world-class events reflects not just a rising disposable income but an evolving cultural fabric that craves immersive experiences. The economic potential of this sector is tremendous, creating a ripple effect across allied industries and fostering opportunities for creators and local professionals alike.”

“Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres shows in Ahmedabad marked a watershed moment in India’s entertainment economy. Hosting one of the world’s biggest bands at the world’s largest cricket stadium, with over 111,000 fans each night meant reimagining what’s possible in India. This report serves as an archetype for other states to unlock the immense potential of the concert economy and enable the live entertainment industry to be a wealth generator for the country. Together with EY, we’ve been able to articulate how a single concert can spark a chain reaction for India’s next cultural boomtowns – economically and culturally. A collaborative approach between industry stakeholders and government authorities to streamline regulations will continue to play a big role in realising this untapped potential”, said Anil Makhija, COO – Live Entertainment & Venues, BookMyShow.

The report delivers compelling evidence of entertainment’s transformative economic potential:

● The concert generated a total economic impact of ₹641 crore including a direct boost of ₹392 crore to Ahmedabad’s economy and contributed ₹72 crore in GST revenue to the Government of India. Over 222,000 fans from across 500 cities, 28 states and 5 union territories attended, significantly boosting tourism, hospitality, retail and transport.

● Ahmedabad’s transport systems were at their best: special fast trains ran, the airport and metros saw over 138,000 travellers over three days including a record-breaking 47,000 arrivals on the first concert day while the local metro system also shattered all previous passenger records showing Ahmedabad’s ability to host global events. Hotel prices went from what would normally be ₹15,000, to ₹90,000 within 48 hours of the announcement.

● Beyond the economic impact, the concert reshaped Ahmedabad’s culture, with over 78% of attendees now seeing it as a major concert city and with 66% of attendees’ excited to return. In addition, nearly 79% of concert goers were under the age of 35 showing that young audiences lead entertainment spending.

● Key insights from BookMyShow’s survey of over 2,800 attendees show the concert’s strong role in promoting Ahmedabad. For every 100 spent on concert tickets, an additional ₹585 was spent on local services. 50% of attendees stayed for a day after the concert, adding to the earnings for the local hospitality sector. Half of all attendees surveyed (50%) extended their visit beyond the concert, staying for more than one night and further promoting the local hospitality sector.

● The concert also created over 15,000 jobs including 9,000 locals, confirming the event’s direct contribution to local employment.

● During the event, over 95% of waste was saved from landfills and over 100,000 biodegradable cups were distributed. Additionally, ~70% of LED bands were returned and reused for the following shows.

Transforming the Narendra Modi Stadium into a world-class concert venue showed India’s growing strength in live entertainment. The concert proved that with the right partnerships, ease of doing business, quick and smooth approvals and better infrastructure, India is preparing to host more such global events. India’s live entertainment industry can grow faster through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that help improve infrastructure and make approvals easier, ease of doing business, a single-window clearance system, tax benefits and quicker permits. India is at a turning point. With the right support, live entertainment can boost the economy, create jobs and put India on the world stage.

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Additional key quotes:

“Bringing one of the world’s biggest bands to India required meticulous planning, collaboration and a shared vision. Choosing Ahmedabad for Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour was driven by two key factors – unprecedented consumer demand and the city’s infrastructure. After three sold-out shows in Mumbai, the Narendra Modi Stadium allowed us to host over 1 lakh fans per night. The support from local authorities was instrumental and together, we worked towards addressing the challenges like preserving cricket pitches with specialised turf protectors. Decentralising live entertainment is the future and as more global artists include India in their tours, we are committed to making it happen. The economic impact of this concert was massive, boosting revenue at city, state and national levels. A collaborative approach between industry and government to streamline regulations will be a game-changer, positioning India as a global hub for live entertainment.” – Ashish Hemrajani, Founder & CEO, BookMyShow

“The Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad stands as a landmark moment – not just for Gujarat, but for India’s growing stature in the global live entertainment industry. To see Narendra Modi Stadium transform into a world-class music venue and welcome over 2.2 lakh fans from across the country and the world is truly historic, creating milestones and ripples on the global stage for mega artists. The seamless execution, the scale and the cultural celebration reaffirm India’s readiness to host iconic international acts, while also delivering tangible economic value and putting Indian cities on the global map. This is just the beginning.” – Jay Shah, Chairman – International Cricket Council (ICC)

“Executing an event of this scale required meticulous planning across security, traffic and emergency measures. With extensive provisions in place, seamless coordination with the organizers ensured clear communication with attendees, aiding smooth movement and overall safety. This collaboration between authorities and event organizers exemplifies how strategic planning and partnership can elevate large-scale event execution.” – Harsh Sanghvi, Home Minister, Gujarat

“The Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad was a landmark moment, showcasing Gujarat’s potential as a global hub for entertainment and tourism. Large-scale concerts like these not only bring economic benefits but also offer a stage to highlight our rich cultural heritage and vibrant spirit. By welcoming world-renowned artists, we are opening new avenues for cultural exchange and strengthening Gujarat’s presence on the international map” – Rajender Kumar (IAS), Secretary (Tourism), Government of Gujarat

“The successful hosting of Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour at the Narendra Modi Stadium marked a significant milestone in optimising stadium infrastructure for large-scale live entertainment while ensuring the preservation of the venue’s core sporting function. BookMyShow Live’s meticulous approach to pitch protection, including the deployment of specialized turf covers, set a new benchmark for balancing entertainment and sporting priorities. This collaboration has paved the way for a standardized approach to stadium usage in India, allowing world-class events to take place without compromising the integrity of the playing field.” – Dhanraj Nathwani, President, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA)