Based on Billboard Magazine’s Year-End Rankings

 

In recently released year-end national rankings, DPAC presented by First Horizon has been ranked a top three U.S. theatre by Billboard Magazine after welcoming over 550,000 guests during a highly successful 2025.  This was the second highest annual attendance in DPAC’s 17-year history.

 

In addition, DPAC was also ranked the #5 theatre in America by Pollstar Magazine based on attendance. Since 2010, DPAC has consistently placed among the top theatres in the nation based on rankings from publications that cover live entertainment venues and events. 

 

In 2025, DPAC welcomed over 550,000 guests to 241 performances, ranging from spectacular Broadway productions to superstar concerts, comedy shows and special events.  Operated under the direction of Nederlander and Professional Facilities Management (PFM), DPAC has welcomed 7,245,501 guests to 3,415 performances since its opening in 2008. 

 

DPAC’s signature series, Broadway at DPAC, presented the biggest Broadway shows direct from New York and brand-new national tours to sold-out audiences this year, including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Back to the Future, and The Outsiders.  2025 also saw the return of the world’s most popular musical, Les Misérables, for a sold out engagement.  With 17,500+ Broadway at DPAC members, DPAC remains one of the best one-week Broadway series in the country.

 

2025 also included a record number of legendary concerts, superstar comedians, family shows, and special events of all kinds with many of these performances being total sellouts.   

Bob Klaus, General Manager of DPAC, said “Some would say DPAC crafts great live entertainment experiences.  That’s definitely our goal and with 2025 being one of our biggest years ever, we saw more smiles than ever.”

 

Based on the latest, just released 2025 year-end rankings from Billboard Magazine and Pollstar, DPAC is proud to once again place among the top theatres in America.

 

“First Horizon Bank congratulates DPAC on recognition from Billboard and Pollstar and celebrates its continued impact on the Triangle’s cultural life,” said Laura Bunn, Mid-Atlantic Regional President for First Horizon Bank. “We are proud to be connected to a storied venue that reflects our shared commitment to serve communities and invest in experiences that bring people together.”

 

Brad Saks, DPAC’s Director of Programming for Concerts & Comedy, said “These newest rankings place DPAC in remarkable company, right alongside New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, and The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.”

 

Top National Rankings

Billboard Magazine - DPAC #3 in America

 

In their just released publication, Billboard Magazine ranked DPAC as a top three most successful venue in the U.S. based on ticket revenues.

 

Billboard is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group, a division of MRC Media & Info.  The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the music and live events industry.

 

U.S Ranking	Venue / City
1.	The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, NV – 4,100 capacity
2.	Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA – 4,600 capacity
3.	DPAC Durham, NC – 2,700 capacity
4.	Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL – 3,600 capacity
5.	Beacon Theatre New York, NY – 2,800 capacity

 

Billboard Boxscore

Year-End 2025 Top Venues – 2,501 – 5,000 Capacity

October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025

Ranked by Ticket Revenue

Pollstar - DPAC #5 in America

Pollstar Magazine, known as the Voice of Live Entertainment for over 40 years, has ranked DPAC #5 in reported attendance and #7 in reported ticket revenues among U.S. theatres.

 

Pollstar provides the most up-to-date, relevant, and useful data available for the global concert and live events industry, a focus on editorial excellence, and the most powerful metrics of entertainment industry success available anywhere.

U.S. Ranking	Venue / City
1.	Radio City Music Hall New York, NY – 6,000 capacity
2.	Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL – 7,000 capacity
3.	Fox Theatre Atlanta, GA – 4,600 capacity
4.	Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL – 3,600 capacity
5.	DPAC Durham, NC – 2,700 capacity
6.	The Anthem Washington, DC – 6,000 capacity
7.	Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA – 2,800 capacity
8.	Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN – 2,300 capacity
9.	Beacon Theatre New York, NY – 2,800 capacity
10.	Dr. Phillips Center – Walt Disney Theater Orlando, FL – 2,700 capacity

Pollstar

Year-End 2025 Ticket Sales - Top 200 Theatres

November 14, 2024, to November 12, 2025

Ranked by Attendance

DPAC’s 2025 Top Events

 

Top Five Broadway Shows:

1. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (16 performances) – September 2 – 14, 2025
2. Back to the Future (8 performances) – May 20 – 25, 2025
3. Les Misérables (8 performances) – July 15 – 20, 2025
4. The Outsiders (8 performances) – December 2 – 7, 2025
5. The Wiz (8 performances) – August 5 - 10, 2025

 

Top Ten Concerts:

1. Diana Ross – October 21, 2025
2. Biscuits & Banjos Festival – April 26, 2025
3. Chicago – April 19, 2025
4. John Fogerty – November 5, 2025
5. Foreigner – July 29, 2025
6. Vince Gill – June 12, 2025
7. Boz Scaggs – November 20, 2025
8. Lindsey Stirling – November 22, 2025
9. Frankie Valli – January 19, 2025
10. Travis Tritt – May 16, 2025

 

Top Five Comedy Shows:

1. Kevin Hart (3 performances) – February 14 & 15, 2025
2. John Mulaney (4 performances) – October 2 - 4, 2025
3. Jim Gaffigan (5 performances) – February 5 – 8, 2025
4. Steve Martin & Martin Short (2 performances) – October 18, 2025
5. Matt Mathews (2 performances) – September 27, 2025

Top Five Special Events:

1. A Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre in the Park (6 performances) – December 10 – 14, 2025
2. The Thorn (3 performances) – April 4 & 5, 2025
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert (2 performances) – January 31 & February 1, 2025
4. Stardew Valley (2 performances) – October 16 & 17, 2025
5. A Conversation with Kamala Harris – October 15, 2025

 

Looking Ahead – Experience Live in 2026

 

In 2026, DPAC will continue to bring the biggest shows in the world that play theaters to the Triangle.

 

Broadway will light up the stage with the premiere of Hell’s Kitchen, The Great Gatsby, and The Notebook, as well as the highly anticipated four-week return of America’s #1 Musical, HAMILTON. 

 

The year continues with unforgettable live performances from Santana, David Byrne, Jason Isbell, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Diana Krall, David Spade, and more. 

 

For a full list of upcoming events, please visit www.DPACnc.com. 

 

Link to Venue Photos: https://bit.ly/2025TopVenuePhotos

Link to Year-End 2025 Ranking Images: https://bit.ly/2025YearEndAwardImages

Link to Top Broadway B-Roll:  https://bit.ly/2025TopBroadway

Link to Top Concerts Photos: https://bit.ly/2025TopConcerts

Link to Top Comedy/Special Events Photos: https://bit.ly/2025TopComedyandSpecialEvents