Paris La Défense Arena is entering a new phase of development. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Live Nation announced that it has signed an agreement "to acquire Paris La Défense Arena," from Ovalto, the family holding company of entrepreneur Jacky Lorenzetti. However, it is important to note that the deal still awaits approval from the Competition Authority.
"Once the deal is finalized", the American entertainment giant Live Nation, the world leader in concert promotion, announced it will be launching a modernization program "to enable the Arena to host more productions year-round, attract top French and international artists, and strengthen Paris’s position among the world's major live entertainment capitals." In an interview with Les Echos, Live Nation France CEO Angelo Gopee revealed plans to lower the venue’s technical grid to cut down setup and teardown times. Located 40 meters above ground, this grid "requires a day and a half to install the equipment for even the smallest concert, and the same amount of time to dismantle, taking up the venue for three days," he explains to Les Echos.
Live Nation also clarifies that it will continue to promote shows there and that "Paris La Défense Arena will remain open to all promoters."
As a reminder, Paris La Défense Arena, originally called the U Arena, opened its doors in October 2017 with The Rolling Stones headlining! Since then, this vast 40,000-seat arena in the Hauts-de-Seine has hosted numerous national and international artists, including Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Pink, Rammstein, Linkin Park, Iron Maiden, Lenny Kravitz, Dua Lipa, Sum 41, Kendrick Lamar, The Offspring, Booba, Gims, Jean-Louis Aubert, Orelsan, and Calogero. The venue also hosts various sporting events annually, including rugby. It has played a key role during the Paris Olympics, where a temporary swimming pool was set up for champion Léon Marchand to shine. And let's not forget the Rolex Paris Masters, which used to be held at the Accor Arena before making this new home.
With this acquisition, Live Nation becomes part of France’s elite group of concert and event venues, joining the ranks of prominent players like the LDLC Arena, Paris’s Accor Arena, and the Stade de France.
