Live Nation to Invest $1 Billion in New Music Venues Across the US
Live Nation, the world’s largest live events company, has announced a $1 billion investment to build and revitalise 18 music venues across the United States.
It will focus on expanding access to major tours and concerts in smaller, historically under-served cities.
The ambitious infrastructure initiative is expected to generate a total economic impact of $2.9 billion, according to an analysis by Oxford Economics. This includes spending on construction, engineering, and development, as well as an estimated $1.4 billion in annual economic activity for the local communities once the venues are operational.
The company’s stated goal is to reduce the need for fans to travel to major metropolitan hubs in order to experience live music. “Every fan deserves access to unforgettable live music – without having to drive hours to a major city,” said a spokesperson for Live Nation. “This is about bringing world-class events closer to home.”
Over the next 18 months, Live Nation plans to either break ground or open doors on a diverse range of venues — from intimate clubs to large-scale amphitheatres – in cities including Allentown (PA), Memphis (TN), Orlando (FL), Portland (ME), Richmond (VA), Shakopee (MN), and Virginia Beach (VA).
A Boost to Local Economies
The development is expected to support thousands of jobs in construction and live event operations. Once completed, the venues will also serve as ongoing economic engines in their respective cities, drawing concertgoers, tourism revenue, and related business activity in hospitality and retail.
Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation, said the investment is both a cultural and economic strategy.
“Our mission is simple: help artists deliver more unforgettable live experiences – and in doing so, create jobs, revive cities, and lift up the communities we touch,” he said. “As an American company, we drive impact here at home while also helping elevate and export the very best of what this nation represents: freedom, creativity, grit, and boundless possibility.”
A Changing Live Music Landscape
Live Nation’s announcement comes amid a shift in the global live entertainment industry. While the sector experienced a sharp resurgence after the COVID-19 pandemic, recent data suggests touring activity may be cooling off, with even top-tier artists scaling back on large tours.
Despite that, Live Nation says it is preparing for its biggest year yet. The company has hired 37,000 workers to support a packed summer season and is continuing its push for affordability by offering more than one million tickets priced at just $30.
The company currently operates a portfolio of around 150 premier music venues in the United States, which it says accounts for approximately 4% of all live music venues nationwide.
Support for Ticketing Reform
In parallel with its infrastructure expansion, Live Nation has voiced strong support for federal efforts to rein in ticket scalping and speculative resale practices that often inflate prices for fans and reduce revenue for artists.
The company welcomed President Trump’s 31 March executive order targeting scalpers, which includes provisions to enhance consumer protections and increase transparency in ticket sales. Live Nation claims that resale platforms siphon more than $10 billion annually from the live music economy.
“Strengthening protections for artists and their fans will help fuel even greater industry growth while keeping more dollars in the local communities where live events take place,” the company stated.
Building Cultural Infrastructure
Live Nation’s strategic bet on smaller cities echoes broader cultural and economic trends, with more businesses and creative industries shifting attention to regional markets. The company says its new and upgraded venues will not only serve as concert halls but also as community assets and hubs for cultural activity.
Analysts say the move could offer long-term benefits if it succeeds in spreading the economic and artistic value of live performance more evenly across the country.
As the 18 new venues come online, many in the industry will be watching closely to see whether this decentralised model can reshape how and where live music thrives in America.
