Live Nation, inc. has issued the following press release today:

Madonna ‘Takes a Bow’ as Final Show of Record-Smashing ‘Sticky & Sweet’ Tour Ends in Israel

• ‘Sticky & Sweet Tour becomes most successful tour by a solo artist in history

Madonna’s “Sticky & Sweet” Tour made history as it wrapped up last night with two final shows in Tel Aviv, Israel at Yehoshua Gardens (HaYarkon Park, September 1 and 2).

The Material Girl more than lives up to her name, as her tour becomes the most successful tour ever by a solo artist. After playing 85 shows since its launch in August 2008, Madonna’s “Sticky & Sweet” has drawn more than 3.5 million fans in 32 countries and has grossed US$408 million, it was announced today by Live Nation, the tour’s global producer. “Sticky & Sweet” is also the second highest grossing tour of all time.

Madonna set an attendance record for the biggest crowds in history in Zurich, Switzerland, where she drew the largest audience ever assembled for a show in that country (72,000).

Her Gothenburg, Sweden show, seen by 119,000 fans, broke the record for highest grossing multiple shows in the country’s history.

In Helsinki, Finland, “Sticky & Sweet” sold more than 85,000 tickets, making it the biggest single show by an artist in history for all of Scandinavia.

Other highlights on the tour included stops in Buenos Aires, Argentina (256,000), Santiago, Chile (146,000), Sao Paulo, Brazil (203,000), Tallinn, Estonia (72,000), Warsaw, Poland (79,000), Bucharest, Romania (69,000), and Sofia, Bulgaria (54,000).

“With ‘Sticky & Sweet’ Madonna has proven yet again that there is virtually no limit to what she can accomplish both creatively and commercially,” said Arthur Fogel, Live Nation’s Chairman of Global Music and CEO of Global Touring.

“Sticky & Sweet” broke Madonna’s previous record of most successful tour by a solo artist with her 2006 Confessions Tour, which grossed US$194 million.

Madonna’s upcoming CD, “Celebration” the definitive Madonna collection – is scheduled to be released at the end of September.

Madonna “Takes a Bow” as final show of record-smashing “Sticky & Sweet’ tour ends in Israel. (Photo: Frank Micelotta)