Live Nation completes acquisition of 45,000-seat Plenitude Arena in France
The American entertainment group finalized its takeover of Europe's largest indoor arena from Ovalto following an antitrust rule change in September 2026.
Acquisition concluded following antitrust reform
United States entertainment promoter Live Nation announced on Wednesday to AFP that it finalized the acquisition of Plenitude Arena, securing ownership of its first concert venue in France. The agreement was concluded with Ovalto, the private holding company managed by businessman Jacky Lorenzetti, who originally launched the construction project and held ownership of the property. The acquisition agreement between Live Nation and Ovalto had initially been unveiled in January 2026 before entering its final stage.
The formal announcement came several hours after the Autorité de la concurrence published an official release regarding the transaction. The French competition authority stated that a statutory reform to antitrust legislation, which came into effect in early September 2026, meant regulatory approval was no longer required to execute the deal. This legislative change allowed the two corporate parties to complete the takeover directly without waiting for a formal clearance decision from the watchdog.
- The arena is inaugurated in Nanterre under the name Paris La Défense Arena.
- The venue hosts swimming and water polo competitions for the Paris Olympic Games.
- Live Nation and Jacky Lorenzetti's holding Ovalto unveil the planned acquisition.
- The arena is renamed Plenitude Arena through a partnership with Italian energy company ENI.
- A French antitrust law change eliminates mandatory clearance for the transaction.
- Live Nation announces the completion of its Plenitude Arena acquisition.
Operational background of the Nanterre venue
Inaugurated in 2017 in Nanterre, in the Hauts-de-Seine department west of Paris, the site is recognized as the largest indoor venue in Europe, offering a maximum capacity of 45,000 spectators. The complex originally operated under the name Paris La Défense Arena from its opening until mid-2026. In July 2026, the venue was renamed Plenitude Arena under a commercial naming rights partnership with the Italian energy corporation ENI.
The multipurpose arena has served as the permanent home facility for the Racing 92 rugby club while staging concert tours from international artists such as Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and the Rolling Stones. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Nanterre facility was configured to stage both the swimming and water polo events. The venue is currently hosting a concert residency by Canadian singer Céline Dion, marking her return to global live performances.
Live Nation investment strategy and antitrust scrutiny
Live Nation, which also operates within France through its ticketing subsidiary Ticketmaster and its organization of the Main Square Festival in Arras, confirmed that the venue will preserve broad market access. According to the company, Plenitude Arena will continue to host all event producers and organizers rather than being restricted to its own internal productions.
Live Nation issued a formal statement detailing its planned investments to upgrade the Nanterre facility:
Live Nation will invest to improve public and artist hospitality, modernize venue equipment, increase the number of available dates, and strengthen appeal to French and international artists and event organizers.
Despite the early September legislative change that eliminated the need for antitrust approval, the French competition watchdog emphasized that it will not ignore market developments. The Autorité de la concurrence stated that it will remain vigilant regarding the potential consequences of the acquisition on the relevant live entertainment and ticketing markets.
