Live Nation Entertainment expects to spend $800 million on venue expansion and improvements in 2026, pairing the investment with a pipeline of more than 25 large venues as concert attendance climbs.
Each planned venue has more than 3,000 seats, and openings are expected by the end of 2027. Live Nation estimates the pipeline would add capacity for 15 million more fans at a run-rate level, a projection of potential capacity rather than attendance already recorded. Its Venue Nation division expects to host close to 75 million fans in 2026, up by double digits, as it uses existing locations more and adds new sites.
The venue plans are part of a full-year 2026 capital expenditure forecast of $1.1 billion. The company said about $200 million from joint-venture partners, sponsorship agreements and other sources would reduce the cash needed for venue projects. It also forecast about $50 million in pre-opening expenses this year for venues under development and said current projects were on track for internal rates of return above 20%. Those figures are company projections.
Live Nation’s Concerts segment reported $6.44 billion in revenue in the second quarter of 2026, up 8% year over year, and attendance of 49 million, up 10%, the company said in its results release. In its Form 10-Q, Live Nation said ticket sales for events scheduled in 2026 were 11% ahead of sales at the same point in 2025 as of June 30.
Attendance gains varied by region and venue type. International stadium, arena and festival attendance rose more than 20% year over year. In the United States, amphitheater and arena attendance increased by double digits, while stadium attendance declined because of show timing, the company said.
Jordan Zachary, Live Nation’s global president of venues, told Fast Company that “venue infrastructure hasn’t always kept pace” with worldwide demand for live music. Fast Company also reported that owning venues can give Live Nation a larger stake in ticket revenue at those locations.
The company expects venues in its pipeline to open through the end of 2027.
