The year 2019 represented a historic peak for the global live entertainment and sports industries, characterized by record-breaking stadium residencies and monumental athletic achievements. Most notably, the 2019 music touring circuit saw Ed Sheeran’s "Divide Tour" become the highest-grossing tour of all time at that point, while the 106th Tour de France marked a generational shift in professional cycling with Egan Bernal’s historic victory.
Understanding the Landscape of 2019 Tours
When discussing a "2019 tour," the search intent typically bifurcates into two primary categories: the massive global concert tours that defined the pre-pandemic music industry and the 106th edition of the Tour de France. To understand the significance of these events from our current 2026 perspective, one must look at the sheer scale of production and the economic impact they generated.
In the music sector, 2019 was the year of the "super-tour." Artists were no longer just playing arenas; they were filling multiple nights in international stadiums with production costs often exceeding $1 million per show. Simultaneously, the sports world focused on the 2019 Tour de France, which covered 3,480 kilometers and introduced a new era of mountain-climbing dominance. This article examines these pivotal events, providing technical data, economic context, and the long-term influence they exerted on their respective fields.
The Highest-Grossing Music Tours of 2019
The financial health of the music industry in 2019 was unprecedented. According to year-end reports from Pollstar, the top 100 worldwide tours generated a record $5.5 billion in ticket sales. Several specific tours stood out not just for their revenue, but for their cultural saturation.
Ed Sheeran: The Divide Tour (2017–2019)
Although it began in 2017, the Divide Tour reached its conclusion in August 2019 in Ipswich, England. By the time the final note was played, Ed Sheeran had officially broken U2’s "360° Tour" record for both the highest-grossing tour and the highest attendance.
- Total Gross: Over $776 million.
- Total Attendance: Approximately 8.9 million fans.
- Technical Setup: Unique for its "one-man-band" approach, Sheeran utilized a complex custom-built loop station (the "Chewie II") and a massive "cupola" stage design that allowed 360-degree viewing without a traditional backing band.
P!nk: Beautiful Trauma World Tour
P!nk’s 2019 leg of the Beautiful Trauma World Tour was a masterclass in high-flying production. She became the second-highest touring act of the year, largely due to her reputation for performing grueling aerial acrobatics while singing live.
- Technical Achievement: The tour utilized a sophisticated 3D wire system that allowed the artist to fly over the entire audience, reaching the furthest back rows of stadiums.
- Revenue: The tour grossed nearly $397 million, making it one of the most successful tours by a female artist in history.
Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road
Starting in 2018 and continuing through 2019 (and eventually into the early 2020s), this tour was marketed as the final curtain call for one of music's greatest legends. In 2019, the tour was a massive draw for multi-generational audiences, blending high-definition digital storytelling with classic showmanship.
K-Pop’s Global Expansion: BTS "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself"
One cannot analyze 2019 without acknowledging the seismic shift caused by BTS. Their 2019 "Speak Yourself" stadium extension proved that K-pop had transcended its "niche" status to become a dominant force in the Western touring market.
The 2019 tour included sold-out dates at iconic venues such as Wembley Stadium in London and Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles. The production was notable for its use of augmented reality (AR) technology, where fans could see giant digital versions of the members through their phones during the performance of "Trivia: Love." This integration of technology and live performance set a new standard for fan engagement that remains a blueprint for artists in 2026.
The 2019 Tour de France: A Historic Cycling Event
Outside of the music industry, the "2019 tour" most frequently refers to the 106th edition of the Tour de France. Held from July 6 to July 28, 2019, this race is remembered as one of the most exciting and unpredictable editions in modern history.
The Route and Key Moments
The race started in Brussels to honor the 50th anniversary of Eddy Merckx’s first victory. It featured five mountain finishes, including the highest paved road in the Alps, the Col de l'Iseran.
The 2019 tour was marked by extreme weather. Stage 19 had to be neutralized due to a sudden hailstorm and landslides, leading to times being taken at the top of the Iseran. This moment was pivotal, as it was the point where Egan Bernal took the Yellow Jersey from Julian Alaphilippe.
The Significance of Egan Bernal’s Victory
Egan Bernal, riding for Team Ineos, became the first Colombian and the first South American to win the Tour de France. At age 22, he was also the youngest winner since 1909. His victory signaled the end of the absolute dominance of veteran riders and ushered in a new era of "young guns" who would go on to dominate the sport into the mid-2020s.
Technical Specifications and Economic Impact
The logistics of managing a global tour in 2019 were staggering. For music tours, this involved moving hundreds of tons of equipment across borders. For the Tour de France, it involved a "moving city" of support staff, media, and security.
| Tour Metric (2019) | Ed Sheeran (Divide) | P!nk (Beautiful Trauma) | Tour de France (106th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Category | Music (Solo Artist) | Music (Pop/Rock) | Professional Cycling |
| Duration | Final leg: 8 months | Full year | 23 Days |
| Global Reach | Europe, Asia, Africa | North America, Europe | France, Belgium |
| Economic Impact | $776M+ Gross | $397M+ Gross | ~€450M Estimated Revenue |
| Key Technological Feature | Custom Loop Station | 3D Aerial Wire System | Live GPS Rider Tracking |
| Primary Winner/Lead | Ed Sheeran | P!nk | Egan Bernal |
Stage Design and Production Innovation in 2019
The 2019 touring cycle was a turning point for stage technology. We saw a move away from static LED backdrops toward immersive, three-dimensional environments.
- Kinetic Elements: Many 2019 tours utilized moving ceiling panels and robotic arms. For example, Drake's "Assassination Vacation" tour featured a Ferrari that "flew" over the crowd using drone technology.
- Immersive Audio: 2019 saw the early adoption of L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology by artists like Bon Iver and Childish Gambino. This allowed for "spatial audio" in a live concert setting, giving fans a more detailed sonic experience regardless of where they were sitting.
- Sustainability Efforts: Coldplay notably paused touring in 2019 to research how to make their future tours more environmentally friendly. This decision in 2019 influenced the entire industry's shift toward carbon-neutral touring models that are now standard in 2026.
Comparison: 2019 Tours vs. 2026 Standards
Looking back from 2026, the 2019 touring landscape feels both familiar and remarkably different. While the scale of the stadiums remains the same, the underlying business and technological models have evolved.
- Ticketing: In 2019, "Verified Fan" systems and dynamic pricing were in their infancy and faced significant public backlash. In 2026, these AI-driven pricing models are the industry norm, though they remain controversial.
- Virtual Integration: 2019 tours were strictly physical events. Today, almost every major tour has a "hybrid" component, with VR/AR livestreams available for those who cannot attend in person.
- Security: Following various global events, security protocols at 2019 tours became much more rigorous, introducing the widespread use of clear-bag policies and electronic wanding that we take for granted today.
Challenges and Controversies in 2019
Despite the financial success, 2019 was not without its hurdles. The "secondary market" for tickets reached a boiling point, with resellers marking up tickets for the 2019 tours of artists like The Rolling Stones and Ariana Grande by over 400%.
In the sporting world, the 2019 Tour de France faced criticism regarding the "boring" dominance of Team Ineos (formerly Team Sky). However, the aggressive riding of Julian Alaphilippe, who held the Yellow Jersey for 14 days, helped silence these critics and provided some of the most watched television hours in the history of the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who had the most successful tour in 2019?
Ed Sheeran held the most successful tour of 2019 (and at that time, all time) with his Divide Tour. However, looking strictly at the calendar year of 2019, P!nk was also a top contender for the highest annual grossing solo artist.
Why was the 2019 Tour de France so special?
The 2019 Tour de France was special because it was the first time a Colombian rider (Egan Bernal) won the race. It also featured extreme weather conditions that led to the dramatic neutralization of Stage 19, an event rarely seen in the history of the race.
What was the average ticket price for a major 2019 tour?
In 2019, the average ticket price for the top 100 worldwide tours was approximately $91.18. This was a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the rising costs of elaborate stage productions and the shift toward "premium" fan experiences.
Did any 2019 tours get canceled?
While most major tours concluded successfully, there were isolated cancellations due to health and weather. Notably, Woodstock 50, which was planned as a major "anniversary tour" event for 2019, was canceled entirely due to permit and financial issues.
How did 2019 tours influence current 2026 concerts?
2019 was the "last great year" of traditional touring before the 2020 lockdowns. It proved the viability of stadium-only tours for top-tier artists, a trend that has accelerated into 2026 where "residency" style stadium shows are more common than traditional city-to-city traveling.
Final Recommendation for Researchers and Fans
Whether you are studying the economic history of the live music industry or the evolution of professional cycling, the 2019 tour season serves as a vital benchmark. To truly understand the "2019 tour" phenomenon, one should look at the Pollstar 2019 Year-End Reports for music data and the official ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) archives for the Tour de France.
For those looking to relive these moments, many of the 2019 tours were professionally filmed and are available on major streaming platforms. Watching Ed Sheeran’s "Songwriter" or P!nk’s "All I Know So Far" (which covers the lead-up to 2019) provides deep insight into the logistical genius required to execute these global events. As we move further into 2026, the 2019 tour season remains a gold standard for what is possible in the realm of global human performance and entertainment.
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