By Elizabeth Stillwell
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour just made history again. At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night, Swift’s record-breaking global tour was officially named Tour of the Century, cementing its legacy as one of the most iconic tours ever.
Swift, who was unable to attend in person, delivered a heartfelt pre-recorded speech in which she reflected on the journey that took her across five continents and 51 cities over nearly two years.
“This tour was absolutely the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life … and it really was the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done,” said Swift. “It blows my mind. I’m never gonna stop being grateful for it.”
The award came on the second anniversary of the Eras Tour’s very first show, making the moment even more meaningful for Swift and her fans. To celebrate, the awards show aired a special broadcast of her emotional performance of “mirrorball” from opening night, a song that perfectly encapsulated the magic and dreamlike experience of the tour.
Super Swiftie and comedian Nikki Glaser, who announced the Tour of the Century honor, shared her personal experience with the tour. Glaser, who attended 22 concerts of the Eras Tour, expressed her awe at the magnitude of Swift’s live performances.
“Never in my childless dog lady life will I ever witness a live performance of that magnitude,” said Glaser. “Every single show was a marathon of perfection: the vocals, the athleticism, the costumes, the secret songs, my bedazzled adult diaper. Those are memories and a rash I’ll have forever. So it makes perfect sense why iHeartRadio is giving Taylor Swift the award for Tour of the Century.”
The Eras Tour, which ran from March 2023 to Dec. 2024, became a cultural phenomenon, not just for Swifties but for the music industry as a whole. With 149 shows worldwide, it shattered records, including the highest-grossing tour of all time.
Swift’s ability to reinvent her performances every night made the tour feel personal for fans who attended. The signature “surprise songs” segment, where she played two unreleased or rarely performed songs at every show, became a fan favorite — and even won her an iHeartRadio award for Favorite Tour Tradition.
Connie Cougras, a longtime Swift fan who attended three separate Eras Tour concerts, said the experience was unlike any concert she had ever been to.
“I would’ve went more times if I could’ve,” said Cougras. “I’d go tomorrow if it was still going on.”
And she isn’t alone in that sentiment. Millions of fans worldwide followed along with every tour stop, speculating about setlist changes, Easter eggs, and even Swift’s rumored relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who attended multiple shows in support of her.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards had plenty of other jaw-dropping moments beyond Swift’s historic win. Benson Boone took home Song of the Year for his hit “Beautiful Things,” while GloRilla was crowned Hip-Hop Artist of the Year. Lady Gaga accepted the Innovator Award, celebrating her groundbreaking contributions to music and artistry, and Mariah Carey was honored with the Icon Award, cementing her legendary status in the industry.
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Photo courtesy of @taylorswift on Instagram.