Global Arena Guide 2026 out now: 70 markets & 650+ venues

The 2026 edition of IQ‘s Global Arena Guide, the definitive guide to arenas hosting live music and entertainment internationally, is out now.

In association with Legends Global, this biggest-ever edition of the Global Arena Guide spans 70 global markets and includes a fully updated directory featuring over 650 venues globally.

Leading the content is the inaugural Arena Stars list, in which IQ recognises 20 of the world’s best arenas for live music. Nominated and chosen by the industry, this debut cohort is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements and hard work of the venue teams who dedicate themselves to ensuring fans and artists have memorable times, as well as helping expedite the work of touring production crews.

So here, we proudly present the 2026 Arena Stars…
Arena CDMX – Mexico City, MX
Avicii Arena – Stockholm, Sweden
Barclays Center – Brooklyn, USA
Co-op Live – Manchester, UK
Coca-Cola Arena – Dubai, UAE
Etihad Arena – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Intuit Dome – Inglewood, USA
K-Arena Yokohama – Kanagawa, Tokyo, Japan
Kai Tak Arena – Hong Kong
Movistar Arena – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Movistar Arena – Bogotá, Colombia
Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney, Australia
Roig Arena – Valencia, Spain
Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, Canada
SM Mall of Asia Arena – Pasay City, Philippines
Spark Arena – Auckland, New Zealand
State Farm Arena – Atlanta, USA
The O2 – London, UK
Uber Arena – Berlin, Germany
United Center – Chicago, USA

Within the GAG, we also profile the conditions for arena-level touring in 70 markets, covering every continent (sans Antarctica), offering interesting perspectives on how arenas in different countries are approaching similar hurdles. And as the pace of building around the world quickens, IQ provides the latest updates on the most exciting arenas coming on stream soon.

Plus, readers can find Q&As with Marie Lindqvist (Legends Global), Paul Samuels (AEG International), Luca Martinazzoli (Unipol Dome), and Tsuyoshi Tamura (K-Arena Yokohama) within the expansive range of content.

Finally, our database has expanded even further to include contact info for more than 650 venues globally.

“I want to thank everyone who’s been so generous in sharing their knowledge with our writers in order to make this bumper edition so packed with insights,” says IQ editor James Drury. “And a special thank-you goes to our title partner, Legends Global, for their valuable support, and to the NAA and Arenas Europe for another year of superb co-operation.”

A selection of features will appear online in the coming weeks. To access the full range of reporting, analysis, and interviews, subscribe to IQ or explore the complete contents of the latest issue on the dedicated IQ page.

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