Concerts at Anfield over the past five years – featuring major artists like Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones – have generated over £31 million for the local economy and created thousands of jobs for Liverpool residents.
A newly released report by Turley Economics highlights the significant financial impact these events have had, with international stars drawing hundreds of thousands of fans to Anfield. Just last week, the club announced another major performer, Dua Lipa, who is set to take the stage next summer. Since 2019, Anfield has hosted seven different artists over 11 concerts, welcoming nearly half a million visitors and boosting the economy by £31.3 million.
This summer alone, half of all those visitors attended concerts at the stadium. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour brought in massive crowds over three consecutive nights, while P!nk’s Summer Carnival 2024 also saw two sold-out performances.
In the years prior, other big names such as Bon Jovi, Take That, Elton John, and The Eagles have graced the Anfield stage. Each concert not only drew large audiences but also provided employment opportunities, requiring a minimum of 1,450 staff members per event. Impressively, 85% of those employed were from Liverpool, and more than half of the workers were under 30.
The pandemic brought a temporary halt to these events, with no concerts held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2023, the stadium’s concert calendar was again disrupted, this time due to the expansion of the Anfield Road Stand, which has since boosted the venue’s capacity to around 61,000.
Ben Latty, the club’s chief commercial officer, expressed his pride in Anfield’s growing role as a key player in Liverpool’s economy and employment market. He emphasized the positive feedback from concert-goers, promoters, and local residents, pointing out that Anfield has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Taylor Swift’s three-night stint. Latty also shared the club’s excitement about upcoming performances, with Dua Lipa already confirmed for next year, and hinted at more high-profile acts in 2025.
Councillor Harry Doyle, a Liverpool City Council member responsible for culture, praised the redevelopment of Anfield, noting its dual function as both a football stadium and a premier concert venue. He highlighted how the stadium’s ability to attract world-class acts has not only boosted the local tourism economy but has also shone an international spotlight on the city, particularly during Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated performances. Doyle said he looks forward to even more announcements of top-tier performers in the future.
Anfield’s transformation into a world-class concert venue has had a far-reaching impact, bringing substantial financial benefits to the Liverpool area while creating local jobs. With more high-profile events on the horizon, the stadium is set to continue enhancing the city’s reputation as a major cultural and entertainment hub.
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