Arena Stars 2026

Find out who made the list – and why – as Hanna Ellington profiles Arena Stars 2026.

FEATURED LIST By Hanna Ellington | 12 June 2026

It’s here! Arena Stars is a major new global live music industry list celebrating 20 venues that stand out as best-in-class at this level.

Whether it’s ensuring fans have an unforgettable experience or making the lives of promoters, production teams, and artists easier, we’re delighted to showcase this select group of shining stars.

The arenas that made this list were nominated by IQ readers, and the final selection was made by a panel of senior promoters, production managers,…

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THE LIST

SM Mall of Asia Arena

Pasay City, Philippines

It’s worth keeping an eye on the uniquely eye-shaped SM Mall of Asia Arena, located in the Philippines’ capital city...

The O2

London, UK

A global benchmark for large-scale live entertainment, there are few venues as iconic as The O2...

Spark Arena

Auckland, New Zealand

Versatile at its core, Spark Arena has established itself as one of the APAC region’s most adaptable entertainment venues...

Intuit Dome

Inglewood, California, USA

One of the newest players in the Los Angeles circuit, Intuit Dome made waves when it opened its doors in 2024...

Scotiabank Arena

Toronto, Canada

Toronto’s premier arena is strengthening its position as a world-class touring destination by undergoing an ambitious renovation...

Barclays Center

Brooklyn, New York, USA

In the major entertainment hub that is New York City, Barclays Center stands out for its dedication to innovation and accessibility...

Movistar Arena Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Created exclusively for live entertainment, Movistar Arena has helped to transform one of the world’s most passionate markets...

K-Arena Yokohama

Kanagawa, Tokyo, Japan

One of the world’s premier purpose-built spaces, K-Arena Yokohama stands apart for its singular focus on delivering exceptional concerts...

United Center

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Home to both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls, Chicago’s core arena has no shortage of entertainment options...

Uber Arena

Berlin, Germany

Located at the heart of Berlin’s entertainment district, Uber Arena has established itself as one of Europe’s premier indoor venues...

Coca-Cola Arena

Dubai, UAE

Coca-Cola Arena has strengthened its position on the international touring circuit through major recent upgrades...

State Farm Arena

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Located in the heart of Atlanta, State Farm Arena stands above the rest as one of the region’s most notable venues...

Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Etihad Arena has quickly established itself as one of the Middle East’s largest and leading live entertainment destinations...

Kai Tak Arena

Hong Kong

Opening its doors just over a year ago, Kai Tak Arena has already made its mark on the Asian venue circuit...

Arena CDMX

Mexico City, Mexico

One of Latin America’s leading entertainment hubs, Arena CDMX has solidified its reputation for hosting the globe’s biggest tours...

Roig Arena

Valencia, Spain

A new addition to Europe’s arena landscape, Roig Arena has quickly positioned itself as one of the continent’s most advanced venues...

Qudos Bank Arena

Sydney, Australia

Among the largest venues in the Southern Hemisphere, Qudos Bank Arena has built its reputation on scale, flexibility, and operational capability...

Movistar Arena Bogotá

Bogotá, Colombia

Movistar Arena has contributed to Bogota’s reputation as a gateway for the Latin American touring circuit...

Avicii Arena

Stockholm, Sweden

An unmistakable part of the Stockholm skyline, Avicii Arena remains one of Europe’s most distinctive venues...

Co-op Live

Manchester, UK

A symbol of the next generation of live venues, Co-op Live made a notable splash when it came online in 2024...

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