Garth Brooks is one of the most successful country music artists of all time. He has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him the best-selling solo artist in the United States. Brooks is known for his high-energy live performances that attract huge crowds. But how much does the country superstar actually make from his concerts? In this article, we’ll take a look at Garth Brooks’ concert earnings and break down what he makes per show.
Garth Brooks’ Net Worth
According to celebrity net worth estimations, Garth Brooks has a net worth of around $400 million as of 2023. The vast majority of his wealth comes from album sales and touring revenue. Brooks has released 21 studio albums over his decades-long career, with global sales topping 157 million. His best-selling album to date is No Fences from 1990, which has gone 17x platinum in the US alone.
While Brooks has made big money from record sales, his concert tours have been his largest source of income. He is one of the most in-demand live performers in the industry, consistently selling out arenas and stadiums across North America. His three-year Garth Brooks World Tour from 2014-2017 grossed over $364 million, making it the highest-grossing country music tour of all time.
How Much Brooks Earns Per Show
According to multiple reports, Garth Brooks earns between $1 million to $2 million per concert on average. This number varies depending on the size of the venue he’s performing at. The larger the stadium capacity, the higher the earnings.
For example, during his recent Stadium Tour from 2019-2022, Brooks was estimated to gross over $1.2 million per show. The tour sold over 1.3 million tickets across 30 concerts, setting attendance records at many venues. His biggest payday came from a concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he grossed nearly $5 million from a crowd of over 77,000 people.
At smaller arena concerts, Brooks generally earns between $500,000 to $1 million per performance. An example is his nine shows at the Target Center in Minneapolis in 2016, which netted him around $9 million total or $1 million per night. Even at bare bones venues, Brooks usually clears at least $250,000 per show.
Other Factors Impacting Earnings
Several key factors impact how much Garth Brooks makes per concert:
- Venue size – As mentioned, bigger venues translate to higher gross receipts and earnings.
- Ticket prices – Ticket prices are set based on anticipated demand. His average ticket price in 2022 was around $98.
- Location – Brooks can command higher ticket prices in major metro areas vs. rural cities.
- Production costs – Larger venues require more equipment, staff, which eats into net profits.
- Tour sponsorships – Sponsor deals with companies like Amazon help boost overall revenue.
While the actual profit per show varies, the bottom line is Garth Brooks rakes in multi-million dollar paydays from his concert tours. His business team negotiates huge guarantees with venues, plus he gets a large percentage of ticket sales. After factoring in production costs of $800,000 or more per stadium show, Brooks still walks away with $1 million+ per performance.
How Concert Revenues Compare to Other Income Sources
As mentioned earlier, touring revenue accounts for the majority of Garth Brooks’ annual earnings. However, he has other income streams that contribute significantly to his wealth. Here’s a breakdown:
Concert Tour Revenue – Between $60-$100 million per year
Album Sales – Roughly $5-$10 million per year
Streaming Royalties – Around $3 million annually
Merchandise Sales – An estimated $2-$5 million per year from shirts, hats, etc.
Real Estate Investments – Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood own multiple properties in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Malibu worth over $100 million combined.
So while Brooks earns up to 9 figures annually from concerts, he also has a diverse array of income sources. But make no mistake, touring is the engine that drives the Garth Brooks money train. His concerts deliver his biggest paydays by far.
Highest Grossing Concerts
Let’s take a look at some of Garth Brooks’ highest grossing concerts to date:
| Venue | Location | Year | Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegiant Stadium | Las Vegas, NV | 2022 | $4.9 million |
| Notre Dame Stadium | South Bend, IN | 2018 | $3.2 million |
| Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, NC | 2016 | $3 million |
| Broncos Stadium | Denver, CO | 2015 | $2.8 million |
| AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | 2011 | $2.1 million |
As you can see, Brooks’ largest payday to date came from his 2022 Las Vegas stadium show, which sold over 77,000 tickets. Other huge earners include Notre Dame Stadium, Bank of America Stadium, and concerts in Denver and Dallas. Brooks has the ability to sell out the most iconic stadiums across North America.
How Much Crew Members Earn
Putting on massive tours like Garth Brooks requires a huge crew of workers behind the scenes. From sound engineers to stage builders to merchandise sellers, it takes an army of staffers to produce a Garth Brooks concert. Crew members can earn excellent wages working these shows. Here are some average earnings:
- Tour/Stage Manager – $3,000-$4,000 per week
- Production Manager – $1,500-$2,500 weekly
- Sound Engineer – $1,000-$1,500 per show
- Lighting Director – $1,000-$1,500 per show
- Carpenter – $500-$700 per week
- Merch Seller – $15-$20 per hour
- Bus Driver – $700-$900 weekly
While the key management roles pay over $100,000 annually, even entry-level crew like merchandise sellers can earn a solid wage working for Garth Brooks. The per show amounts can add up to $50,000+ for higher level touring personnel.
Charity Work and Causes
Garth Brooks is known for giving back and contributing to charitable causes. He has supported numerous organizations and initiatives over the years through benefit concerts and direct donations.
Some of Brooks’ biggest charity initiatives include:
- Teammates for Kids Foundation – Brooks co-founded this charity in 1999 that works with athletes to improve childrens’ lives. It has raised over $200 million to date.
- Habitat for Humanity – Brooks spent 9 days building houses for Habitat in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
- Bushfire Relief – He donated $500,000 to Australian bushfire relief efforts in 2020.
- Live United – After the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, Brooks headlined The Garth Brooks Tribute to Heroes benefit concert for families of victims.
Brooks also founded The Studio G foundation that provides resources for education and development through music programs. While intensely private about his donations, it’s estimated he’s given well over $100 million to charity during his career. His generosity and philanthropy are a major part of his legacy.
Tax Implications
With an income in the tens of millions annually, Garth Brooks pays significant state and federal taxes:
- Federal Taxes – The top federal tax rate is 37%, which Brooks likely pays on a large portion of his income. This equates to $37 million for every $100 million earned.
- State Taxes – He owes taxes in the states he earns income, ranging from zero income tax states like Tennessee to over 11% in top brackets of California and New York.
- Employment Taxes – Brooks must pay 7.65% in Social Security and Medicare taxes on employee wages.
- Property Taxes – He owns millions in real estate that are subject to state property taxes.
While the exact numbers are not public, it’s safe to say Garth Brooks pays at least $40 million or more per year in total taxes. Even the most successful touring artist in the world owes a sizable chunk to Uncle Sam.
Conclusion
In summary, Garth Brooks earns between $1 million to $2 million per concert on average, with his biggest shows grossing over $4 million. Touring accounts for the majority of his $60-$100 million annual income. While production costs and taxes eat into his profits, Brooks still pockets at least $30 million per year from concerts alone. He can command the highest ticket prices in country music based on his legendary status and outstanding live shows. Garth Brooks has forged an unprecedented career as a touring musician, entertainer and philanthropist.
