Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ concerts in Ahmedabad have generated an estimated ₹641 crore in economic impact, according to a comprehensive report by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live.
Held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on January 25 and 26, 2025, the concerts attracted over 222,000 attendees, marking one of the largest live events in the country. The report highlights that Ahmedabad’s economy experienced a direct boost of ₹392 crore, driven by significant spending on accommodation, transportation, dining, and retail. Additionally, the event contributed ₹72 crore in GST revenue, underscoring its substantial fiscal impact. The influx of visitors from across India and abroad not only filled the stadium but also brought global attention to the city’s cultural and economic potential.
Tourism in Ahmedabad saw unprecedented growth during the concert days. The city’s metro system recorded a total of 405,264 passenger journeys over two days, with trains operating every 8 minutes to accommodate the surge in commuters. The airport handled a record-breaking 138,000 travelers during the three-day period, including 47,000 arrivals on the first concert day alone. Hotel prices soared, with five-star accommodations reaching up to ₹90,000 per night, reflecting the high demand and economic vitality generated by the event The concerts also had a transformative effect on Ahmedabad’s cultural perception. Surveys indicated that 78% of attendees now view the city as a major concert destination, with 66% expressing a strong willingness to return for future events. Moreover, over one-third of attendees explored local attractions, and 38% engaged in shopping, contributing to the city’s retail and tourism sectors.
The event’s success has set a precedent for other Indian cities, such as Chennai, to leverage live entertainment as a catalyst for economic and cultural development. Chennai, recognized for its rich music culture, has seen a 28% increase in live event consumption in 2024, positioning it as a potential hub for international performances. The report advocates for strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism, and public facilities to transform cities into premier live entertainment destinations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the significance of live events in India’s cultural and economic landscape, highlighting the Coldplay concerts as evidence of the country’s growing potential to host world-class entertainment. The report emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships and streamlined regulations to facilitate the growth of the live entertainment sector, which is projected to surpass ₹12,000 crore in value by 2024 and grow at a robust CAGR of around 19% over the next three years.
In conclusion, Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts have not only delivered an extraordinary cultural experience but have also demonstrated the transformative power of live entertainment in driving economic growth, tourism, and infrastructure development. As India continues to embrace its role as a global cultural hub, events like these serve as a blueprint for other cities to harness the potential of live entertainment for sustainable and inclusive growth.
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