How AC/DC navigated a massive global tour without a single public ticket sale

How AC/DC navigated a massive global tour without a single public ticket sale
Image: Intellect (generated)

In short: When AC/DC launched their Power Up Tour, they bypassed traditional public ticket sales entirely. Instead, they utilized a high-stakes registration system that left fans scrambling for presale access. This massive operation, spanning from 2024 to 2026, highlights the evolving mechanics of modern stadium rock and the intense demand for legacy acts.

The Power Up Tour, supporting the band's 2020 studio album, represents a significant chapter in AC/DC's history. Following a period of uncertainty that included a hiatus after the 2015 Rock or Bust World Tour—during which frontman Brian Johnson was ordered to stop performing due to hearing risks—the band successfully regrouped. By 2024, the touring lineup featured Angus Young, Stevie Young, and bassist Chris Chaney, who replaced Cliff Williams.

The tour's logistical scale was immense. In early 2024, the band reported selling 1.5 million tickets in a single day for European dates. This demand was met with a complex ticketing strategy: rather than a public on-sale, fans were required to register for specific presale windows. The intensity of this process was evident in Dublin, where nearly 35,000 people queued via Ticketmaster, and in Reggio Emilia, where tickets sold out in mere hours. Some fans expressed frustration over pricing, with standing tickets reaching €335 or more.

Beyond the numbers, the tour was a dynamic production. The band launched 'High Voltage Dive Bars' in cities like London, Paris, and Munich to build anticipation. The set lists were equally fluid, with specific tracks like 'Jailbreak' making a return to the stage in Melbourne for the first time since 1991. The tour faced real-world challenges, including venue changes and a tornado watch in Nashville that forced the postponement of a May 2025 show. Despite these hurdles, the tour concluded on 2 October 2026, marking a definitive return for the legendary rock group.

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