Biggest show by an English language comedian

Ricky Gervais has set a record for the biggest English-speaking comedy show in Italy

His show on Thursday at the Unipol Forum Arena in Milan was his first live performance in the country. Promoters Live Nation confirmed a sold-out show, with a paid ticket attendance of 9,050 people.

The previous Italian record was held by Bill Burr – but only for a week – when he played to 2,300 people at Milan’s Archibald Theatre..

Gervais already holds the attendance record for English-speaking comedy shows in Spain, France, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and he is set to break the same record in the Czech Republic in October, when he plays Prague’s O2 Arena.

He said: ‘I still can’t believe I sell out arenas in my own country, let alone around the world. I’m over the moon, as we say in England.’

The tour – Mortality – heads back to London in October and November, with a 14 night run at the Palladium, and three shows as the OVO Arena Wembley. It will again be filmed for Netflix.

Published: 26 Jul 2025