Tag: Year End 2020

Year End 2020: Arena Top Stop

‘WE HAD TO ADAPT’:  WiZink Center was among the first of the big arenas to return after the novel coronavirus shutdown. (Courtesy venue) WiZink Center: Spanish Steps Madrid arena’s GM talks about little victories in a year when everyone lost When the world shut down in March, Spain was among the countries hit hardest by COVID-19, topping 20,000 deaths in mid-April. The government introduced some of the severest restrictions on public life in all of Europe, including tiered time slots during which only certain age groups were allowed to leave the house.  So how did WiZink Center, in the Spanish capital of Madrid, top the VenuesNow year-end Top Stops for 2020 in the 15,001-30,000 category?  The arena’s situation evolved parallel to the evolution of the pandemic, said the arena’s general manager, Manuel Saucedo. “Spain went through more than 100 days of complete lockdown, so WiZink Center remained completely closed for… Continue Reading Year End 2020: Arena Top Stop

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Year End 2020: Big Year for Big Buildings

SOFI SCORES: SoFi Stadium’s center-hung videoboard commands attention during Los Angeles Rams and Chargers games. (Getty Images) The crowds will come later, but these stadiums are making their mark  The two most expensive stadiums in the world opened in 2020 to muted applause, underscoring the pandemic’s devastating effect on the sports and entertainment industry. SoFi Stadium, at cost of $5 billion, and Allegiant Stadium, a $2 billion facility, represent the future of NFL stadium design with starkly different looks. What they both shared, though, was playing games in empty venues.  Fans were not allowed to attend Rams, Chargers and Raiders games. In Southern California, state and local requirements prevented both Los Angeles NFL squads from hosting fans. In Las Vegas, team owner Mark Davis made the decision to ensure fairness for all of Raider Nation. Overall, both buildings reflect their surroundings on the West Coast.  SoFi Stadium’s swoopy roof canopy… Continue Reading Year End 2020: Big Year for Big Buildings

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Year End: What the …?

Thought leaders address what just happened and what 2021 may look like Tough times require smart people, so VenuesNow and Pollstar went looking for some of the smartest in the business as the idea of the imminent approval of a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. began to take hold and asked them these questions:  1. In terms of scale and impact, how would you describe 2020 and the current crisis’ challenges and impact on your business? 2. What strategies have you and your businesses implemented and/or are you considering implementing to address these challenges? 3. With vaccinations reportedly on the near horizon, better testing technology, accrediting organizations, industry sanitization and safety protocols being established, a new presidential administration and more, when and how do you anticipate the industry coming back? Their answers to each of the three questions are below. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.   Kenneth Feld Chairman and… Continue Reading Year End: What the …?

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Year End 2020: The Indies

Independents organize in a fight for their survival No aspect of the live industry was hit harder by the coronavirus pandemic than venues themselves. While artists and other members of the live ecosystem have partly offset lost touring revenue with livestreams and other new content, venues saw income halt suddenly and almost completely in mid-March, when most public gatherings were banned under sweeping health restrictions. Initially, the live business stayed afloat with meager government aid and charitable efforts – but relief has long since dried up, with lawmakers failing repeatedly in recent months to pass additional legislation to bail out the live industry and other sectors impacted by the pandemic. But as the months dragged on, the National Independent Venue Association has provided a beacon of hope during challenging times for venues across the country. More than 2,900 independent venues have banded together since NIVA formed in the pandemic’s early… Continue Reading Year End 2020: The Indies

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Year End 2020: Big Venues

Amid the quiet, sponsorships, renovations and even some events continue Most sports and entertainment venues sat empty for nine months after the pandemic shut down the industry. Teams, facility managers, concessionaires, marketers and ticketing firms still got deals done, though, whether it was in person, over the phone or online. During these unprecedented times, give credit to all those in the business that kept the ball rolling forward with the creativity and resiliency that’s been the backbone of live entertainment for decades. On the marketing side, Oak View Group, owner of VenuesNow, made the biggest splash, signing $400 million naming rights deals with Amazon (for Climate Pledge Arena) and UBS Arena, respectively, for new NHL arenas opening this year in Seattle and New York.  Legends got a big deal done with Ball Corp., the maker of Mason jars, to take over naming rights at the old Pepsi Center, owned and… Continue Reading Year End 2020: Big Venues

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