Rising country star Zach Bryan made history this weekend with a record-setting stadium concert. On Saturday night, Bryan became the first artist ever to headline Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, and he did so before a mind-blowing crowd. Promoter AEG Presents announced that the 29-year-old’s gig drew 112,408 fans, the largest ticketed concert attendance in U.S. history. That eclipses the previous record held by fellow country legend George Strait (110,905 fans) and even beats a long-untouchable Grateful Dead record from the 1970s.
“It was an unforgettable night,” Bryan said after the show. He was backed by special guests John Mayer, who joined for several songs, and rising acts Ryan Bingham, The Texas Gentlemen and Joshua Slone. The concert lasted over two hours, packed with Bryan’s heartfelt hits and even a string of cover songs. Attendees described a raucous, communal atmosphere – fans sang along under the lights and fireworks – the stuff of a modern country-rock epic. According to reports, the event also shattered the stadium’s merch-sales record, pulling in an estimated $5 million in t-shirts, posters and other memorabilia.
Industry observers noted how this remarkable achievement caps a banner year for Bryan. The singer-songwriter, who recently inked a giant music industry deal worth hundreds of millions, has seen his popularity skyrocket in 2025. With this landmark concert under his belt, Bryan has firmly cemented himself as one of country music’s brightest stars. As one fan wrote online, “Zach Bryan just proved there’s no ceiling on how big he can get.” The Big House will certainly be talking about this night for years to come.
