Live Nation acquires Belgium’s Sportpaleis

Live Nation Belgium has acquired Antwerps Sportpaleis, the Belgian venue operator that runs the 23,001-capacity Sportpaleis arena in Antwerp.

A Live Nation spokesperson confirmed to IQ today that the company has bought the Sportpaleis Group venues. In addition to Sportpaleis, one of the largest arenas in Europe, the deal sees Live Nation take over venues including the Lotto Arena (8,050-cap.), Forest National (8,000-cap.) in Brussels and the Ethias Arena (18,000-cap.) in Hasselt.

Antwerps Sportpaleis forms part of the wider Sportpaleis Group. A Live Nation Belgium spokesperson states that the group’s other properties – Night of the Proms promoter PSE Belgium and ticketing company Tele Ticket Service – fall outside of the agreement.

The Antwerps Sportpaleis venues will be Live Nation’s first foray into venue operating in Belgium

Live Nation already has a strong presence in Belgium, organising chairman Herman Schueremans’ flagship Rock Werchter festival, as well as Dour, Pukkelpop and Graspop. However, the Antwerps Sportpaleis venues will be Live Nation’s first foray into venue operation in Belgium.

According to IQ’s European Arena Yearbook 2018, the last few years have been successful for Belgian arenas. “We are experiencing probably the best 12 months ever,” Sportpaleis Group’s Jan van Esbroeck told IQ last year.

Antwerp Sportpaleis managers Jan Van Esbroeck and Jan Vereecke will continue to work at the company following the acquisition.

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