Ed Sheeran has been crowned the UK’s most-played artist of 2025, securing the top spot for the eighth time in 11 years according to new data released by PPL.
The achievement places Sheeran ahead of Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, who finished second and third respectively in PPL’s annual chart tracking music played across UK radio, television and public venues including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms and offices.
PPL said Sheeran’s catalogue averaged 574 plays per day throughout 2025, equivalent to around 24 plays every hour across UK broadcasters and public spaces.
Ed Sheeran reacts to eighth uk airplay crown
Responding to the news, Sheeran thanked broadcasters, venues and listeners for continuing to support his music more than a decade into his chart career.
“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.”
Sheeran first topped the PPL chart in 2015 and has remained one of the UK’s most consistently played artists ever since, appearing in the Top 3 every year since 2017.
Two of his recent tracks, Sapphire and Azizam, also landed inside the UK’s Most Played Tracks chart for 2025 at numbers eight and nine respectively.
According to PPL, “Sapphire” accounted for 19 per cent of Sheeran’s total UK airplay during the year.
Meanwhile, Shape Of You remains his most-played song of all time, averaging 37 plays per day across UK radio and public performance spaces.
Myles Smith scores the UK’s most-played song of 2025
Myles Smith secured the year’s biggest individual track with Nice To Meet You, which finished as the UK’s most-played song across radio, TV and public venues.
Smith also landed a second track, Stargazing, inside the Top 10.
“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.”
Other major tracks in the Top 10 included Messy by Lola Young, Ordinary by Alex Warren and People Watching by Sam Fender.
UK artists continue to dominate the airplay charts
UK artists claimed five places in PPL’s Top 10 Most Played Artists chart, including Calvin Harris, Coldplay and Elton John.
International stars including David Guetta, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga also featured prominently.
PPL CEO Peter Leathem praised the continued strength of UK music and the emergence of newer artists alongside established chart names.
“A huge congratulations to Ed Sheeran for once again topping PPL’s Most Played Artist chart, and to Myles Smith for securing the most played track of the year.”
“This was another impressive year for UK artists, with homegrown talent continuing to resonate strongly with audiences across the UK.”
News arrives after Ed Sheeran leaves warner music group
The latest milestone comes shortly after Sheeran confirmed he had left Warner Music Group and Asylum Records following a 15-year partnership.
The singer recently explained that the decision reflected changes in his personal and professional life rather than any dispute with the label.
“My life is hugely different now… I’ve been feeling in my gut for a long time that a lot of things in my professional life need to change.”
The move means future releases will now arrive independently through Sheeran’s own imprint, Gingerbread Man Records.
PPL most played artists 2025
- Ed Sheeran
- Taylor Swift
- Dua Lipa
- Calvin Harris
- David Guetta
- Coldplay
- Elton John
- Ariana Grande
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Lady Gaga
PPL most played tracks 2025
- Nice To Meet You – Myles Smith
- Messy – Lola Young
- Ordinary – Alex Warren
- People Watching – Sam Fender
- APT. – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else – Benson Boone
- Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
- Sapphire – Ed Sheeran
- Azizam – Ed Sheeran
- Stargazing – Myles Smith
