Live Nation, OVG and Saudi Arabia's SURJ Launch radia to Build Out Middle East Sports and Entertainment Venues

Live Nation, Oak View Group (OVG) and Saudi Arabia's sovereign investment vehicle SURJ Sports Investment announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2026, the formation of a joint venture called radia, focused on developing sports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The company's remit covers venue management, operations, brand activation and marketing.

What the radia joint venture covers

radia is intended to strengthen Saudi Arabia's existing portfolio of stadiums, arenas and large-scale sports districts, giving the three partners a long-term platform for venue development and operations in the Middle East market.

OVG is also the parent company of trade publication Pollstar. The joint venture is the latest move in Live Nation's deepening push into the Middle East, echoing the company's expansion strategy in Asian markets in recent years. The organizers have not yet disclosed the equity split between the three parties or the specific venue projects targeted in the initial phase.

Context: Saudi Arabia's entertainment market opens up

Under its "Vision 2030" framework, Saudi Arabia has significantly opened up its entertainment industry in recent years, drawing in a wave of major international live entertainment operators. The formation of radia reflects international venue operators' confidence in the long-term potential of the Middle East market, and points to growing local demand for professional venue management talent and systems.