Trends in Entertainment Venue Management: A 2025 Perspective

These changes are influencing the landscape of leadership hiring with organisations seeking leaders with specialised expertise.

Explore the trends:

1. Investment and Consolidation of Venue Operators 

Investment in entertainment venues has reached unprecedented levels. According to Deloitte, over 300 global entertainment venues are expected to undergo renovations or new builds by 2025, with nearly half of these projects concentrated in North America and Europe. This surge in infrastructure development reflects growing interest from private equity (PE) firms and government bodies alike. 

PE firms are increasingly focusing on real estate within the sports and entertainment sector, identifying opportunities for revenue diversification through year-round venue usage. On the public side, notable examples include the Tampa Bay Rays’ partnership with the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, to construct a new ballpark, and San Antonio’s proposed downtown entertainment district, which will feature a new arena for the NBA’s Spurs.

These investments often serve as catalysts for regional development, fostering community engagement and economic revitalisation. For instance, Toronto’s Rogers Centre renovations aim to create localised “neighbourhoods” within the ballpark, offering differentiated fan experiences through local cuisine and entertainment.

Implications for Leadership Hiring 

The rise in private equity and state investment is driving demand for financially/commercially savvy leaders experienced in public-private partnerships. Sports & entertainment organisations are seeking executives capable of managing large-scale projects, navigating regulatory frameworks, and fostering relationships with diverse and complex group stakeholders. CFOs, COOs, and project leaders with a background in infrastructure development and investment strategy are likely to be in high demand. 

2. Multi-Purpose Venues and Innovative Fan Engagement

The shift toward multi-purpose venues addresses changing consumer habits and the challenge of drawing audiences to physical events.

Gen Z fans, for example, are more casual in their sports fandom, often opting to stream games online rather than attending in person. To address these challenges, venues are diversifying their offerings. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for example, seamlessly transitions between hosting football matches, NFL games, and concerts.

At AT&T Stadium in Dallas, AR allows fans to interact with holograms of players, access live stats, and even participate in halftime games featuring virtual athletes.

The global smart stadium market, valued at over $8 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $38 billion by 2033, underscores this trend. Enhanced connectivity, such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s implementation of WiFi 6E, enriches the fan experience, enabling seamless interactions without detracting from live events.

Modern venues are also leveraging technology to increase operational flexibility. Innovations like Amazon’s "Just Walk Out" technology and automated service systems, such as Toronto’s “Tap N Go” and “Walk Thru Bru,” streamline food and beverage access, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience. Dynamic pricing models and digital menu boards optimise revenue while catering to diverse audience preferences.

Technology continues to redefine stadium management, enhancing everything from crowd safety to energy efficiency.

The Intuit Dome exemplifies the integration of AI-driven self-checkouts and mobile-enabled services, while Denver Broncos Stadium has undergone a comprehensive technology transformation, becoming fully mobile-enabled.

Beyond convenience, technology plays a critical role in safety and security. Advanced crowd monitoring systems, cashless transactions, and real-time communication platforms ensure smooth operations during high-capacity events. These innovations enhance the fan experience but also streamline operational efficiency for venue managers.

Digital touchpoints are increasingly used for personalised marketing and communication. For example, venues can send targeted safety messages or promotional offers directly to fans’ devices, creating a more engaging and interactive experience. Still, many organisations have a long way to go in digital development.

Implications for Leadership Hiring 

Multi-purpose venues require leaders who can drive innovation and adapt to diverse operational demands. General Managers and Venue Operations Directors with experience in fan engagement strategies, technology integration, and multi-event/venue management are increasingly essential. Finding leaders who are commercially focused, but who also possess deep knowledge in the critical green and purple guides is rare. As such, this function is often viewed as one of the hardest areas to recruit for.

Even in the entertainment industry, this function is evolving at a rate of knots and often includes challenging, broad, all-encompassing roles.

Technology-facing executives are increasingly expected to excel across a wide range of disciplines. Clients frequently seek leaders with deep expertise in areas like cybersecurity, AI, and data, alongside the ability to communicate effectively at the Board level, educate stakeholders, and lead transformative change across infrastructure and applications—all while navigating tight budgets and lean teams.

Given the limited talent pool in these roles, we’ve often succeeded by introducing exceptional candidates from adjacent industries who bring fresh perspectives and transferable skills. 

3. Sustainability in Entertainment Venues 

Sustainability has emerged as a key priority in venue management, reflecting broader societal and industry trends. Organisations are adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce their environmental footprint while appealing to socially conscious consumers. 

Stadiums like Allegiant Stadium in the US are setting new benchmarks with initiatives such as powering the Super Bowl entirely with renewable energy. Similarly, the Marylebone Cricket Club in the UK is pursuing a “Journey to Net Zero” strategy, integrating solar and wind energy into its operations. Wembley Stadium’s innovative pitch recycling program further illustrates the industry’s commitment to sustainability. 

The NEOM Stadium project in Saudi Arabia highlights the potential of sustainable construction, being powered entirely by renewable energy sources. Such initiatives not only reduce environmental impact but also has the potential to position the entertainment sector as leaders in corporate social responsibility (CSR). 

Venues are also rethinking catering and waste management. Partnerships with local food producers, compostable packaging, and advanced recycling systems contribute to a more sustainable food and beverage offering. These measures resonate with environmentally conscious consumers while reducing operational costs.

Implications for Leadership Hiring

Within larger entertainment organisations, there has been a growing emphasis and demand for Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) and other leaders with expertise in environmental initiatives. In smaller organisations, it often falls to the venue operators/COOs to integrate sustainability into broader operational strategies, making this a key focus area in leadership hiring.

Staying at the Forefront of Rapid Transformation 

The entertainment venue management sector is transforming, driven by investment, technology, multi-purpose adaptability, and sustainability. These trends are reshaping the industry and redefining the skills needed in leadership.

The future of entertainment venue management relies on visionary leadership that can navigate these complexities while driving growth and engagement. 

Odgers Berndtson, a leading global executive search firm, partners with elite venue management leaders to drive innovation and excellence across the industry. 

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