City Of El Paso Reports Utep’s Coldplay Concert Contributed $6 Million To El Paso’s Tourism Industry
Spending up 21% from same weekend in the year prior
EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 16, 2025) – The City of El Paso and The University of Texas at El Paso are celebrating a notable economic and tourism boost during the weekend of the sold-out Coldplay concerts on June 13 and 14 at Sun Bowl Stadium.
Total estimated spending across the city that weekend peaked at $34.7 million — up 21.2% from the same weekend in 2024, according to a report conducted by Destination El Paso, the City’s destination marketing organization. This year-over-year jump represents an additional $6.08 million in total spending across local businesses, hotels and attractions, with the concerts serving as a key driver for the boost.
“Part of our mission is to positively impact the culture and economy of the community we serve,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “This set a new record for us and I’m really proud of the team that worked so hard to bring Coldplay to El Paso. El Paso deserves great events like this and we want to do more of them.”
“The success of the Coldplay concerts is a true reflection of what happens when our community comes together. UTEP’s leadership was key in securing this world-class act for El Paso, and we are deeply grateful for their role in making it possible,” said El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson. “Along with our many community partners, these concerts proved that when El Paso unites, we can deliver unforgettable experiences that uplift our city and showcase our spirit to the world, while driving economic growth, which is one of my top priorities as Mayor.”
The concerts generated between 59,700 and 89,500 daily visitors to the Sun Bowl Stadium, with 12.2% of visitors attributed to travelers from more than 50 miles away. Notably, 13.4% of visitors came from out-of-state, further emphasizing the event’s regional draw.
“The numbers don’t lie: The economic impact that the UTEP Sun Bowl Stadium generates from large events is substantial and benefits not only the University but also the greater El Paso community,” said Jorge Vazquez, executive director of Special Events at UTEP. “It makes sense to invest back in our facility to attract more mega events and make El Paso a must stop for the biggest tours in the world.”
Vazquez added that the $6 million does not include the generated revenue for local vendors who assisted in event production.
"That weekend confirmed what we’ve been saying all along: El Paso is a must-visit destination,” said President and CEO of Destination El Paso, Jose Garcia. “Welcoming fans from across the country to experience Coldplay at our iconic Sun Bowl showcased our vibrant culture, unmatched hospitality, and growing reputation for world-class events. Those concerts were more than incredible shows — they were a celebration of El Paso’s spirit and its place on the global stage.”
Visitors traveled primarily from Texas (76.6%), New Mexico (11.6%) and Arizona (2.51%), with the average spend per trip reaching $171.72. The top spending categories included grocery and department stores (39.4%); dining and nightlife (19.8%); and specialty retail (8.34%).
Beyond the Sun Bowl Stadium, attendees explored other areas of the city – 17% were observed in hotel districts, 10% in shopping areas, 8% enjoying outdoor attractions and 4% visiting museums. This activity reflects the concerts’ role in driving not only ticket sales but also broader tourism engagement across
El Paso’s hospitality, retail and cultural sectors.
The audience demographics revealed that 46.5% of attendees were between the ages of 25-44, while 32.6% were in the 45-64 age group. The concerts also drew a high-income audience, with 21.8% reporting household earnings between $100–$150K, and 13.8% exceeding $150K.
The double performances mark a milestone for El Paso’s live event landscape, demonstrating the power of large-scale performances to generate significant economic activity and showcase El Paso as a premier destination for entertainment, travel and culture.
About Destination El Paso
The mission of Destination El Paso is to provide convention, tourism, venue, and event management services to visitors, clients and the greater El Paso community so they can enjoy a pleasurable experience that enhances quality of life and generates economic growth.
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on September 16, 2025 at 12:00 AM | Originally published September 16, 2025
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
