The UK's most played artists of 2025 have been revealed

PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) have revealed the most played artists of 2025, and there are some very familiar names in the Top 10. Including artists such as Calvin Harris, Lady Gaga and Coldplay, the most played artists of 2025 has had a shake-up at the top, with Taylor Swift, who was the most played for 2024 losing her Number 1 spot.

For the eighth time in 11 years, Ed Sheeran has taken the crown, becoming the UK's most played artist of the year according to PPL, pushing his good friend Taylor Swift into second place, and Dua Lipa into third.

Ed first took the Number 1 spot back in 2015, when he released songs such as 'Photograph' and 'Bloodstream'. The singer has featured in the Top 3 most played chart every year since 2017. Last year, the singer's hit 'Sapphire' was his most played song, racking up a massive 19% of his airplay last year!

Speaking to PPL, Ed said: "I am so grateful to be named Most Played Artist across TV, radio and venues across the UK for an incredible eighth time. A huge thanks to everyone who has played my music over the last year, and over the last 15 years. I really appreciate the continuing support."

Who are the most played artists of 2025?

You can see the Top 10 most played artists of 2025 below.

1. Ed Sheeran
2. Taylor Swift
3. Dua Lipa
4. Calvin Harris
5. David Guetta
6. Coldplay
7. Sir Elton John
8. Ariana Grande
9. Sabrina Carpenter
10. Lady Gaga

Last year, Ed Sheeran's song were played an average of 574 times per day, equating to 24 plays per hour!

READ MORE: Ed Sheeran: Get to know more about the 'Bad Habits' singer

Which was the most played track of 2025?

The PPL have also released details of the most played track (on radio, TV and in public places - in 2025), and surprisingly the none of the songs by the Top 10 most played artists appear in the Top 5.

1. Myles Smith - 'Nice To Meet You'
2. Lola Young - 'Messy'
3. Alex Warren - 'Ordinary'
4. Sam Fender 'People Watching'
5. Rosé and Bruno Mars - 'APT.'

Speaking about his song becoming the most played track of 2025, Myles Smith said: "Having the most played song in the UK last year with ‘Nice to Meet You’, and seeing ‘Stargazing’ still in the top 10 – honestly it still doesn’t feel real.

"I’m so grateful to everyone who has listened, to my fans who have been with me from the beginning, and to everyone at radio and in the venues who has supported the music. It means everything."