As the global arts community prepares to celebrate World Theatre Day on March 27, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is marking the occasion by building on the momentum of a significant industry recognition reached earlier this season. The Center has been officially recognized as one of the top-performing theaters in the world, according to year-end data recently released by Pollstar.
In a worldwide ranking of the Top 200 Theater Venues, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center was named the 43rd highest-ranking theater for worldwide gross and 47th for total ticket sales between November 14, 2024, and November 12, 2025. These rankings place the venue among the world’s most elite performing arts institutions, standing alongside major theaters in metropolitan hubs like London, New York, and Sydney.
The Pollstar rankings coincide with a blockbuster season at the Center, fueled by Tony Award®-winning Broadway tours, world-class concerts, and diverse community programming. World Theatre Day, established in 1961, serves as an annual celebration of the power of the stage to transcend borders and connect people through storytelling – a mission the Fox Cities P.A.C. has championed for over two decades.
"Theater is more than just a performance; it is a shared experience that reminds us of our common humanity and the power of connection," said Maria Van Laanen, President and CEO of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. "To be recognized as a global leader in ticket sales and attendance is a testament to the incredible passion of our Northeast Wisconsin arts community. This achievement belongs to our patrons, donors, and partners who show up time and again to prove that the live performing arts are essential to a thriving way of life."
The recognition comes at a time of significant momentum for the Center. Beyond the ticket office success, the Fox Cities P.A.C. continues to deepen its community impact through the Amcor Education Series – which recently celebrated reaching its 500,000th student – and various engagement initiatives like Broadway Bridges® and Family First Nights® events.
"While these rankings highlight our economic impact, the true success is measured in the inspiration and memorable moments that we share with our community every day," Van Laanen added. "On World Theatre Day, we celebrate the artists on our stage, the community in our seats, and the staff and volunteers behind the scenes who make this magic possible."
For more information about upcoming performances and the Center’s community impact, visit www.foxcitiespac.com.
About the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural education organization located in downtown Appleton, provides a premier venue for live performing arts. Since 2002, the Center has proudly served as a multicultural gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities while enhancing a greater understanding and appreciation of life through the live performing arts. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center — Where the Arts Come Alive!
About World Theatre Day
World Theatre Day, celebrated annually on March 27, is a global initiative established in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) to honor the transformative power of live performance. It is a premier opportunity for theatre companies to highlight their community impact, celebrate local talent, and engage audiences in conversations about the arts' economic and cultural significance.
About Pollstar
Pollstar, The Voice of Live Entertainment for over 40 years, provides the most up-to-date, relevant and useful data available for the global concert and theater industry, delivering an unmatched archive of live entertainment data, a focus on editorial excellence, and the most powerful metrics of entertainment industry success available anywhere.