The following is a list of benefit concerts that have generated the most gross income. Figures provided are in USD, and are sorted based on inflation-adjusted gross earnings.
They do not reflect later adjustments made due to additional donations received, or production costs incurred. Organizers of The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, for instance, declared $35 million had been raised at the conclusion of that event. However, travel accommodation expenses for the event's performers decreased their net charitable contribution significantly.
Malfeasance is also disregarded, such as the charity Yéle Haiti embezzling money raised by Hope for Haiti Now. Funds raised by Live Aid to alleviate the famine in Ethiopia were allegedly distributed to dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, who instead used them to purchase weaponry.
Live Aid has remained the highest-grossing benefit concert since 1985, when it overtook that title from The Concert for Bangladesh.
Highest-grossing benefit concerts +Top 20 highest-grossing benefit concerts of all time Rank Actual gross Adjusted gross EventBeneficiaries Year Attendance 1 $100,000,000 $ Live Aid Band Aid Trust 1985 170,000 2 $150,000,000 $ America: A Tribute to Heroes September 11th Fund 2001 N/A 3 $190,000,000 $ Back to the Beginning Acorns Children's HospiceBirmingham Children'sCure Parkinson's 2025 45,000 4 $128,000,000 $ Together at Home COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund 2020 N/A 5 $100,000,000 $ FireAid Annenberg Foundation 2025 6 $58,000,000 $ Hope for Haiti Now Clinton Bush Haiti FundOxfam AmericaPartners In HealthRed CrossUNICEFWorld Food ProgrammeYéle Haiti 2010 N/A 7 $35,000,000 $ The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Mercury Phoenix Trust 1992 72,000 8 $50,000,000 $ 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief Robin Hood Foundation 2012 9 $40,000,000 $ A Concert for Hurricane Relief American Red Cross 2005 N/A 10 $45,000,000 $ Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert Oxford University 2007 18,000 11 $30,000,000 $ The Concert for New York City Robin Hood Foundation 2001 14,000 12 $30,000,000 $ Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast American Red CrossThe Salvation Army 2005 N/A 13 $12,000,000 $ The Concert for Bangladesh UNICEF 1971 40,000 14 $18,300,000 $ Tsunami Aid American Red Cross 2005 N/A 15 $29,000,000 $ Stand Up for Heroes Bob Woodruff Foundation 2024 2,700 16 $7,000,000 $ Farm Aid National Council of Churches 1985 80,000 17 $12,000,000 $ Live 8 Band Aid Trust 2005 1,000,000 18 $13,000,000 $ One Love Manchester We Love Manchester Emergency Fund 2017 50,000 19 $5,000,000 $ Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Bishop Ambrose Reeves TrustCAFODChristian AidIDAFOxfamSave the ChildrenWar on Want 1988 75,000 20 $7,000,000 $ Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute Nelson Mandela Foundation 2008 46,664
See also List of highest-grossing concert tours List of highest-grossing live music artists
References