Winter Jam Tour Named Top First Quarter Music Tour By Pollstar

Winter Jam 2018 has landed at #2 on Pollstar’s newly published “2018 1Q YTD Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 100 Tours” chart, taking the top spot of all music tours on the chart. Following the #1 tour “Disney On Ice,” Winter Jam ranks ahead of first quarter tours by such superstars as Bruno Mars and Blake Shelton.

Christian music’s largest annual tour, Winter Jam hit 46 cities across the country from January through March, boasting 17 sold-out shows, including capacity crowds at Philips Arena in Atlanta, St. Louis’ Scottrade Center, and Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

This year’s Winter Jam Tour Spectacular was headlined by rockers Skillet and showcased worship leader Kari Jobe (featuring Cody Carnes), pop hitmakers Building 429, comedian John Crist, breakout hip-hop recording artist KB, tour creators and hosts, NewSong, chart-topper Jordan Feliz, and a message from author, speaker and evangelist Nick Hall. In addition, the Pre-Jam Party featured Dan Bremnes and singer/songwriter Mallary Hope, along with new artist Westover. Hollyn joined Winter Jam for a 12-date stint in March, along with a variety of one-night-only special guests—this year including Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols, fan favorite Matthew West, singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli, and ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and his wife, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, among others.

“Each year it’s hard to see Winter Jam come to a close because the artists who travel with us become like family,” said tour creator and NewSong co-founder Eddie Carswell. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity God has given us with Winter Jam; we give our all to this tour every year. It’s still unbelievable to me that I get to be a part of it.”  

• Author
• Recent Posts

Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)

• The Red Clay Strays Announce First-Ever Fan Fest In June - January 23, 2026
• Eric Church Kicks Off 2026 With Tour, IMAX Film & Live Album - January 23, 2026
• Paul Cauthen Embraces His ‘Texas Swagger’ On New Album ‘Book Of Paul’ - January 23, 2026