LN & ELAN To Operate Qatar Venues

A joint venture between Live Nation and Qatar-based media company Elan Group will manage, promote and sell tickets for the Lusail Multipurpose Arena in Lusail, and Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Multipurpose Arena in Al Sadd. 

The arenas are about 30 kilometers apart, with capacities of 15,300 in Lusail and 8,500 in Al Sadd. The joint venture was appointed by the Qatar Ministry of Culture and Sports. Its director of asset management and projects, Abdul Rahman Abdullah Al-Maliki, said “engaging the private sector for the management of these facilities affirms the state’s support for the private sector’s participation in the national development.”

In light of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, “the development of the sports sector is a strategic goal for the Ministry to improve sports environment, culture, practice, professionalism and infrastructure in order to enhance the country’s status as the capital of sports in the world.”

James Craven, managing director of Live Nation Middle East, said he was “delighted to have been awarded the management contract for the prestigious Lusail and Ali bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Multipurpose Arenas.

Craven sees “a great opportunity to grow the Qatari venue management industry and develop local talent within the business.

“We see huge potential in the Qatari market and will work with local and regional promoters to ensure the venues are suitable for a wide variety of new and exciting content. In particular, the family entertainment business is developing fast in the region and having such high class venues suitable for hosting content will enhance the entire experience for the local audience.”