Company Guidance for Double-Digit AOI Growth in 2026
Management guided to double-digit AOI growth for 2026, citing strong visibility into sponsorships (over 70% booked and running double-digits ahead) and concert supply-demand dynamics.
Sponsorship Momentum
Sponsorships are expected to continue up double digits, with AOI for sponsorships over 70% booked and pacing materially ahead versus prior year.
Strong Concert Demand and Supply Expansion
Robust global demand across clubs, theaters, arenas, amphitheaters and stadiums. Show counts: arenas up double digits (U.S.-driven), stadiums up double digits (international-driven), AMPs higher versus 2024/2025, and management reported ~80% of shows booked for the year.
Ticketing Gross Transaction Value (GTV) Growth
Ticketmaster ended the year with GTV growth of ~6% overall, driven by concerts which grew ~9%, while sports and other third-party were down ~1%.
Secondary Market Controls Reducing Broker Listings
Post-FTC actions and platform policy changes have roughly cut in half the number of broker listings for concerts on Ticketmaster's platform; company also ramped identity verification, queue controls and face-value exchange tools.
Artist Tools and Face-Value Adoption
Live Nation reported over 100 artists now using face-value exchange programs and cited new artist-specific rollouts (examples: Noah Kahan, Kid Rock) to help limit scalping and strengthen artist-fan relationships.
Favorable DOJ Ruling Narrowing Breakup Risk
Judge partially granted Live Nation's motion, dismissing claims that promotion and booking services constitute a monopoly and dismissing a national consumer monopoly market — management stated this reduces the likelihood of structural remedies (e.g., breakup) tied to mutually reinforcing monopoly theories.
Venue Nation Growth Pipeline and Fan-Count Build
Venue Nation expansion is progressing: planned openings and acquisitions (including European arena activity) are expected to meaningfully grow owner/operated fan count. Management described the current year contribution mix as ~20% from '25-opened venues, ~33% from '26-opened venues and ~50% organic growth.
Distribution Partnerships and Market Reach
Management emphasized broad distribution (e.g., Spotify, Facebook, Verizon) helps fill shows that are not instant sellouts; Ticketmaster remains positioned as the provider that 'sells more tickets' via distribution, marketing and pricing tools.