Chicago Symphony Scores Record Ticket Sales

The Chicago Symphony has released its annual report for 2025/6, revealing a significant milestone in ticket sales. As reported by Slippedisc, the symphony presented over 200 paid concerts across various Chicago venues.

These concerts, which took place in venues ranging from 250 to 2,500 seats, resulted in the sale of 294,000 tickets. This marks the highest number of tickets sold since the 2018/19 season.

The symphony's ticket revenue also reached a record high of $23.9 million. Additionally, the organization welcomed 60,000 unique ticket-buyer households, including 30,000 first-time attendees. The total revenues for the symphony amounted to $78.5 million, with total operating expenses at $79 million, resulting in a net deficit of $460,000.

Despite the deficit, the board considers this a significant improvement. This news matters to listeners because it demonstrates the enduring popularity of classical music and the success of the Chicago Symphony in engaging new audiences.