Live Nation Entertainment has agreed to acquire Royal Arena from Realdania and Copenhagen City, marking another expansion for the concerts giant in Europe.
The deal gives Live Nation control of the 17,000–capacity venue that it has operated since the venue opened in 2017.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in 2026, the company said on Monday (December 1).
Following the transaction, Live Nation says it will invest in infrastructure upgrades including expanded hospitality areas and VIP experiences, improved backstage facilities for touring artists and crews, and renewable energy systems.
Live Nation plans to add rooftop solar panels, convert to full LED lighting, and install two 4.5-megawatt batteries to store renewable energy, targeting annual savings exceeding 800,000 kWh.
The venue has hosted performances by Billie Eilish, Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Danish artists including MØ and Lukas Graham. Recent additions include The Vinyl Room presented by Bang & Olufsen, an exclusive lounge space.
“Now, as both owner and operator, Live Nation is even more committed to the venue and the surrounding area, and we look forward to developing it for many years to come.”
Anders Kjørup, Royal Arena
Royal Arena is located in Copenhagen’s Ørestad district. It was designed by award-winning Danish architecture firm 3XN with Cradle to Cradle certified materials and recyclable wooden fins.
This month, Royal Arena is hosting shows for acts like Radiohead, James Arthur, Lorde and BIG TIME RUSH.
Anders Kjørup, CEO of Royal Arena, said: “From the first concert in 2017, when Metallica took to the stage, the Danes have been in love with this amazing building—delivering world-class experiences for artists and fans alike. Now, as both owner and operator, Live Nation is even more committed to the venue and the surrounding area, and we look forward to developing it for many years to come.”
Live Nation’s acquisition comes as Denmark’s live music sector contributes 10.2 billion Danish kroner (approx. USD $1.6 billion) annually to the economy, and supports thousands of jobs, according to industry data.
Realdania CEO Nina Kovsted Helk said: “Realdania’s philanthropic mission is to create quality of life for all through the built environment. This includes contributing to urban development by creating buildings like Royal Arena that form a framework for communities and memorable experiences.”
“We’re proud to have helped bring a world-class multi-purpose arena to Copenhagen – and to Denmark as a whole. It was never Realdania’s intention to be the long-term owner of the arena, and the time has now come to sell.”
Nina Kovsted Helk, Realdania
“We’re proud to have helped bring a world-class multi-purpose arena to Copenhagen – and to Denmark as a whole. It was never Realdania’s intention to be the long-term owner of the arena, and the time has now come to sell. We’re therefore very pleased with this agreement.”
The acquisition expands Live Nation’s presence in Denmark. In 2019, the company acquired Danish booking agency and artist management company PDH Music.
Across Europe, Live Nation has also expanded its presence. In Q3 2025, the company reported a 60% YoY jump in fans who showed up for stadium shows globally to over 51 million fans, driven by growth in Europe and Mexico.
However, the company is facing a regulatory probe in Belgium. The Belgian Competition Authority launched an investigation in November into Live Nation’s recent acquisition of the country’s Pukkelpop, an annual music festival near the city of Hasselt.
The investigation will assess how the takeover might affect competition in festival organization and the broader live entertainment sector, given Live Nation’s extensive operations across the industry.
Recent acquisitions by Live Nation include Team Event, a New Zealand-based festival producer behind Electric Avenue; an additional 24% stake in Mexican concert promoter OCESA for $646 million; SD Concerts, a live entertainment company in the Dominican Republic; and Hayashi International Promotions (HIP), a Japan-focused live music promoter of both domestic and international artists.
Music Business Worldwide
