Live Nation Entertainment said ticket sales for 2026 shows had topped the full-year 2025 total by late October, as it raised its Ticketing adjusted operating income growth outlook and projected attendance near 180 million fans.
Live Nation announced the higher outlook Thursday, Nov. 5, with results for the quarter ended Sept. 30. The revised projection calls for high-single-digit growth in full-year Ticketing adjusted operating income (AOI). In July, the company had forecast mid-single-digit full-year growth in Ticketmaster AOI. Live Nation did not give an exact percentage for its latest projection.
By late October, roughly 170 million tickets for 2026 events had been sold, 13% more than at the same point in 2025 and already above the prior year's full-year total. The ticket tally covers scheduled shows for 2026, while the near-180 million estimate measures the number of fans expected to attend during the year. As of June 30, ticket sales for 2026 events were 11% ahead of the comparable point in 2025, the company's second-quarter filing said.
The Concerts segment counted 61.1 million fans in the third quarter, compared with 51.3 million a year earlier. International attendance grew 29% and accounted for 60% of the quarter's overall attendance increase. Concerts AOI rose 17% to $602.9 million, while Ticketing AOI increased 10% to $315.7 million.
Live Nation's third-quarter results showed revenue rose 19% to $10.1 billion, including $8.7 billion from Concerts, up 20%. Ticketing revenue gained 9% to $870 million, and sponsorship and advertising revenue rose 14% to $506 million. The quarterly filing said Concerts generated more than 90% of revenue growth, citing international attendance and activity at large venues. EconoTimes previously covered the company's third-quarter revenue results.
Fee-bearing ticket volume increased 10% to 98 million in the quarter. International markets accounted for 75% of that increase, while gross transaction value rose 13% to $11.2 billion. Because adjusted operating income (AOI) is reported outside generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Live Nation says investors should consider operating income and net income too.
