Live Nation Vying For Brisbane Live Arena Development

The story continues for the Brisbane Arena and the redeveloped Gabba precinct, with entertainment company Live Nation confirming its interest in bringing a new arena to Brisbane.

Earlier this year, The Music reported that the new venue, tentatively named Brisbane Arena, might not be built. The state government was considering halting work on the venue and asked the federal government to re-allocate $2.5 billion set aside for it. In late March, it was confirmed that the plans had been scrapped.

Talks of Brisbane Arena began in 2016, years before the state government and local councils started considering the city for hosting the 2032 Olympic Games. The discussions were led by Harvey Lister’s AEG Ogden, which now exists as part of ASM Global.

In 2021, the federal government agreed to allocate $2.5 billion to fund the building of the arena.

Now, after the state government invited the private sector to build Brisbane Arena, “hundreds” of parties—including Live Nation—have submitted expressions of interest in the project, per the Courier Mail.

In a comment to The Music, a spokesperson for Live Nation said, “Live Nation has registered our interest to deliver a world-class arena in Brisbane’s CBD. Our vision is for the Brisbane arena to become a premier entertainment destination, attracting global tours and driving economic growth for decades beyond the Olympics.”

As Rolling Stone Australia reported in March, Live Nation welcomed Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s idea for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to construct Brisbane Arena after the state government abandoned the building of the arena for the 2032 Olympic Games.

“Live Nation and our consortium partners welcome the Crisafulli Government’s announcement regarding the Olympics delivery plan,” a Live Nation spokesperson said at the time.

“We support the inclusion of a world-class arena in Brisbane’s CBD and welcome the opportunity to partner with the Government to ensure its delivery.”

Live Nation already owns The Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid in Brisbane. In Melbourne, Live Nation owns the Palais Theatre and operates Festival Hall, and owns the Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide and Anita’s Theatre in Wollongong.

The Music also reached out to TEG, who declined to comment, and AEG, to see if they had submitted expressions of interest.