Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concert generated ₹641 crore economic impact: Report

In a sky full of stars, Coldplay lit up Ahmedabad with its Music of the Spheres tour, performing two sold-out shows at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the Republic Day weekend. The India leg of the tour spanned two cities over five days, with Ahmedabad hosting the grand finale. The two-day Ahmedabad concert alone generated an estimated economic impact of over ₹641 crore, according to an EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live report. Of this, ₹392 crore directly boosted Ahmedabad’s local economy, driven by significant spending on accommodation, transport, dining, and retail.

The event also contributed ₹72 crore in GST revenue to the Government of India. Drawing visitors from over 500 cities across all 28 states and 5 union territories, the concert attracted a total of 2.22 lakh attendees over two days.

“As we witness the dynamic growth of India’s live entertainment sector, which has surpassed the ₹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 fuelling 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,” said Raghav Anand, Partner and Leader – Digital, Media and Convergence, EY-Parthenon in a statement.

Coldplay concerts around the world are widely recognised for their strong sustainability practices and minimal waste generation. What stands out in the Indian context is how these standards were not only met but adapted effectively, despite the scale of the audience and the country’s infrastructural limitations.

“One of the primary ways we assess the impact of our green initiatives is by tracking the percentage of event waste successfully diverted from landfills. 34,000+ kg of waste was diverted away from landfills - that is 95% of the waste generated from Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres Tour in Ahmedabad,” Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer - Live Events. BookMyShow, told Fortune India.

A major highlight was the complete elimination of single-use plastic bottles. Instead, 20-liter water jars and over 1 lakh biodegradable rice husk cups were distributed to manage hydration needs.

Around 70% of the LED wristbands used during the concert were returned and repurposed for future shows, significantly reducing tech waste.

Innovative clean energy solutions powered the event. Electricity was generated using cycling stations, kinetic dance floors, and solar panels. Energy produced on Day 1 powered Day 2, while Day 2’s energy supported the dismantling process. Large rechargeable batteries transported from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Ahmedabad were used for energy storage and later shipped back to the UK for reuse.

To minimise carbon footprint further, nearly 100 eco-friendly shuttle vehicles were deployed across designated zones, ensuring smooth and sustainable transport between parking areas and the venue. Sustainability extended to food and beverage planning as well, with a strong emphasis on zero food wastage, reflecting a holistic approach to responsible event management.

“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. 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,” said Jay Shah, Chairman – International Cricket Council (ICC), in a statement.