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Despite FIFA’s monopolization of North American stadiums this summer for the 2026 World Cup, Live Nation still managed to hit record revenue numbers for the second quarter. The global promoter is reporting Q2 revenue of $7.7 billion for 2026, up 9% from the same period in 2025. Operating income is up 7% year-over-year to $522 million, and adjusted operating income (AOI) is up 2% to $817 million.
Concert revenue is up 8% year-over-year, with revenue of $6.4 billion between April 1 and June 30 and a fan count that has grown 10% to 49 million. However, the concerts division saw AOI drop 14% to $310 million due to a lack of stadium availability in the 2026 FIFA World Cup host countries of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. While games were held from June 11 through July 19, concerts were unable to play the host stadiums a month prior, or two to four weeks following a game.
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Even with the World Cup interruption, the company expects to see record numbers for stadium shows in 2026, stating in the earnings release that “Q2 ended with record event-related deferred revenue of $6.4 billion, up 25%, pointing to accelerating stadium and amphitheater activity in the second half.”
Live Nation projects full-year fan attendance to grow 10% and double-digit percentage AOI growth by the end of the year, “with the majority of the year-over-year improvement occurring in Q4.”
While Live Nation continues to fight over the future of Ticketmaster after a jury in New York found that the promoter runs an unlawful monopoly in April, the company’s ticketing arm delivered big in Q2. Ticketmaster sold 90 million fee-bearing tickets — up 8% year-on-year — and delivered $852 million in revenue, along with AOI of $331 million, up 15% and 14% year-over-year, respectively.
Of those 90 million tickets sold, 39 million were in international markets, led by strong growth in South America. “North America secondary ticket volume was flat as growth in sports gross transaction value (GTV) offset a decline in concerts activity,” the report states. “[The secondary ticketing] business now accounts for low double-digit portion of GTV, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce scalper and bot activity.”
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“In a world of endless screens and AI-generated everything, the one thing that can’t be copied is being there,” said Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino in a statement. “More artists are on the road than ever — and fans keep choosing to be in the room with them, driving the strongest concert ticket sales we’ve ever seen. More than 143 million tickets have sold through mid-July, over 14 million ahead of last year’s pace, with mid-teens ticket sales growth across all large venue types: stadiums, arenas and amphitheaters.”
Venue Nation (Live Nation’s venue business) is currently on track to host close to 75 million fans in 2026, up a double-digit percentage year-over-year. Live Nation says the growth is being driven by “an increase in show count from higher utilization of our existing venues and adding new venues.” The company’s current pipeline of more than 25 large (over 3,000-seat) venues, all expected to open through the end of 2027, is expected to add an incremental capacity of 15 million fans. Pre-opening costs this year for all venues under development are expected to be $50 million.
Based on Q2 numbers, Live Nation is not experiencing a lull from price-sensitive customers, and the company is reporting that cancellations are at typical levels despite persistent discussions of “blue dot fever.”
Sponsorship revenue is also up to $383 million (12% year-over-year), led, once again, by international markets. AOI for the division is up 13% to $257 million. Live Nation states that sponsorship AOI is expected to grow in the double-digit percentage for the year, with 95% of sponsorship commitments booked for 2026.
“None of this happens without the artists — they make these moments, and we’re grateful to every artist and crew who trust us with their tours,” Rapino said. “This was a quarter of milestones: nearly 49 million fans attended our shows, Ticketmaster grew adjusted operating income 14%, and all-time-high deferred revenue points to a strong second half. The first-quarter legal accrual will weigh on reported operating income, but we remain on track for double-digit adjusted operating income growth this year — and to compound at that level for years to come.”
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