Data & Research
Box Office Data Report
Our annual publication The Box Office Data Report provides detailed information on attendances and audience trends for the previous year, including seasonal variations.
Please note, we are currently reviewing the content and purpose of the Box Office Data Report 2023. Members can view Box Office Sales data for 2023 and 2024 here.
The West End: The Theatre Capital of the World
Key findings from our 2025 report on the West End show that:
- In 2024, over 17.1 million theatregoers attended a West End show, an 11% increase on pre-pandemic levels.
- The West End outperformed the Premier League, attracting 2.5 million more attendees, while football attendance grew by just 1%.
- Nearly one in four international visitors to London experienced a West End performance.
- Theatre is outperforming the visitor economy – Overall, visitor attractions have seen an 8.8% decline, with cinema attendance dropping by 28%.
- West End theatres welcomed nearly 5 million more audience members than Broadway.
You can read more here
Members can view Box Office Sales data here.
Longest-running shows in West End History
The top 20 longest-running musicals in West End history
- Les Misérables (running since 1985) – Over 15,527 performances
- The Phantom of the Opera (running since 1986) –Over 15,236 performances
- Mamma Mia! (running since 1999) – Over 10,194 performances
- Blood Brothers (1988 production, now closed) – 10,013 performances
- Disney’s The Lion King (running since 1999) – Over 9,934 performances
- Cats (1981 production, now closed) – 8,949 performances
- Starlight Express (1984 production, now closed) – 7,406 performances
- Wicked (running since 2006) – Over 7,054 performances
- Chicago (1997 revival, now closed) – 6,187 performances
- Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, now closed) – 5,140 performances
- Matilda The Musical (running since 2011) – Over 4,874 performances
- We Will Rock You (2002 production, now closed) – 4,659 performances
- Thriller Live (2009 production, now closed) – 4,657 performances
- Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, now closed) – 4,566 performances
- Miss Saigon (1989 production, now closed) – 4,264 performances
- The Book Of Mormon (running since 2013) – Over 4,239 performances
- Jersey Boys (2008 production, now closed) – 3,787 performances
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1972 production, now closed) – 3,357 performances
- Me and My Girl (1985 revival, now closed) – 3,303 performances
- Evita (1978 production, now closed) – 2,900 performances
Information supplied to Society of London Theatre in January 2025
The top 20 longest-running productions in West End history
- The Mousetrap (running since 1952) – Over 29,902 performances
- Les Misérables (running since 1985) – Over 15,527 performances
- The Phantom of the Opera (running since 1986) – Over 15,236 performances
- The Woman in Black (1989 production, now closed) – 13,232 performances
- Mamma Mia! (running since 1999) – Over 10,194 performances
- Blood Brothers (1988 production, now closed) – 10,013 performances
- Disney’s The Lion King (running since 1999) – Over 9,934 performances
- Cats (1981 production, now closed) – 8,949 performances
- Starlight Express (1984 production, now closed) – 7,406 performances
- Wicked (running since 2006) – Over 7,054 performances
- No Sex Please, We’re British (1971 production, now closed) – 6,761 performances
- Stomp (2002 production, now closed) – 6,512 performances
- Chicago (1997 revival, now closed) – 6,187 performances
- Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, now closed) – 5,140 performances
- Matilda The Musical (running since 2011) – Over 4,874 performances
- We Will Rock You (2002 production, now closed) – 4,659 performances
- Thriller Live (running since 2009, now closed) – over 4,613 performances
- Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, now closed) – 4,566 performances
- The Black and White Minstrel Show (1962 production, now closed) – 4,344 performances
- Miss Saigon (1989 production, now closed) – 4,264 performances
Information supplied to Society of London Theatre in January 2025