2026 Impact 50 Honoree: Arthur Fogel

ARTHUR FOGEL
Chairman of Global Music and President of Global Touring
Live Nation

BY THE NUMBER: $1.02 billion. The combined amount Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” Oasis’ reunion and Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM Ball”  grossed on Pollstar’s 2025 year end worldwide artists  chart. 
  

Every year feels like a banner year for the legendary Arthur Fogel.

The man Bono once called “clearly the most important person in the live music world” this year inspired the coining of a new adjective in the pages of Pollstar when fellow Live Nation promoter Jared Braverman was described as having a “Fogelesque year” himself.

Fogel’s changing the language now. Of course, his impact is always going to be on more rock ’n’ roll (and pop and country) than on Funk & Wagnalls, as he helmed three of the biggest tours in recent memory with Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” Oasis’ reunion and Lady Gaga’s “MAYHEM Ball,” all of which were not just critical and commercial successes — though they were, in spades — but also cultural touchstones in the transcendent way huge tours can be at their best.

“The critical acclaim and audience response surrounding each was a powerful reminder of the lasting impact live concerts continue to have,” Fogel says. Even a vet like Fogel still finds ways to be energized by changes in the industry.

“One of the most exciting things about the business right now is how constantly the approach to touring is evolving. Artists are becoming more creative about where they play, how they tour, and how they connect with audiences globally,” he says. “That willingness to rethink traditional touring models is what continues to drive excitement and engagement for both fans and artists.”

That continued excitement is why Fogel sees blue-dot fever as “total hype.” He says, “It’s always easier to focus on a few negatives than the bigger picture, which is that there are an incredible number of successful tours happening around the world right now across every level of the business.”  

For Fogel, there’s always an eye to that next successful tour. “The priority is continuing to execute the many global tours already on the road through the rest of 2026,” he says. “Beyond that, we’re focused on what’s next and developing exciting new projects for 2027 and beyond.”