Live Nation Entertainment has signed an agreement to acquire ForumNet Group, one of Italy’s leading venue operators, from Bastogi S.p.A., reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Italian live entertainment sector. The transaction represents a significant expansion of Live Nation’s venue footprint in Italy and highlights the country’s strategic importance within the global live events market.
At the centre of the acquisition is Unipol Forum, one of Italy’s most prominent live music and sports arenas. Since its opening in 1990, the venue has welcomed approximately two million fans annually and hosted a wide range of international and Italian artists, including Vasco Rossi, Cesare Cremonini, Tiziano Ferro and Marco Mengoni. In addition to its role as a major concert venue, Unipol Forum is home to the Armani Olimpia Milano basketball team and is scheduled to host figure skating and short track speed skating events during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
As part of the transaction, Live Nation plans to make significant investments in Unipol Forum aimed at enhancing the overall fan experience, upgrading artist and production facilities, and implementing sustainability initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. These improvements are intended to build on the venue’s Olympic legacy and ensure its long-term role as a premier destination for world-class entertainment and elite sports.
The acquisition also includes Teatro Repower, an indoor venue with a capacity of up to 1,700, and the management of Carroponte, a major open-air venue capable of hosting up to 12,000 attendees. Together, these venues play a substantial role in Italy’s live entertainment ecosystem, which generated approximately €4.5 billion in revenue nationwide in 2024.
Roberto de Luca, President of Live Nation Italy, emphasised the company’s commitment to preserving the venues’ heritage while investing in their future. He noted that the ForumNet venues would continue to operate under an independent management team, maintaining long-standing relationships with partners and promoters, while remaining open to all event organisers.
Marco Cabassi, President of the Bastogi Group, described the transaction as a partnership that would ensure the continued vitality of venues that have been central to Milan’s cultural life for decades, enabling them to welcome artists and audiences from Italy and abroad for years to come.
Following completion of the transaction, the existing ForumNet team will continue to manage day-to-day operations, while Live Nation will maintain its broader role in promoting shows across Italian venues. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in April 2026.
Live Nation Entertainment, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: LYV), is the world’s leading live entertainment company, operating through Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts and Live Nation Sponsorship.