Live Nation unveils new live venue in South Africa

Live Nation has announced the launch of South Africa’s largest dedicated live entertainment space, The Dome, which is set to open in Johannesburg in January 2025.

The company is partnering with Stadium Management South Africa and Gearhouse South Africa on the 10,500-cap state-of-the-art venue in the suburb of Nasrec.

Live Nation’s first permanent venue in Africa, The Dome is adjacent to the FNB Stadium and will serve as a “hub for local and pan-African talent”. It will highlight genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, dance, pop, hip-hop, and R&B – with a solo headline show by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems confirmed for 20 March next year.

“The Dome fills a critical gap in South Africa’s live entertainment scene, creating a unique space that will support pan-African talent,” says Justin Van Wyk, CEO at Live Nation South Africa, which will promote and produce the venue’s events. “The venue will provide new opportunities to connect emerging and established artists with a new demographic of South African fans.”

The Dome can be set up in various configurations including end stage, side stage and centre stage, and has doors that can be opened on both sides – allowing a free flow of people between the interior and exterior spaces and offering a range of viewing points.

The multi-purpose venue can also be used for conferences, exhibitions, banquets and product launches.

“We’re excited about the opportunities this venue will create”

Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), which will oversee the management of the facility, already looks after South African venues such as FNB Stadium, Rand Stadium, Orlando Stadium and Dobsonville Stadium on behalf of the City of Johannesburg.

“This collaboration with Live Nation and Gearhouse South Africa reflects our shared vision to not only host world-class events but also empower local talent, boost economic growth, and create a vibrant cultural hub in Johannesburg and the Gauteng Province,” says Bertie Grobbelaar, CEO at Stadium Management South Africa.

“We are proud to contribute to a venue that will inspire and connect audiences, artists, and communities across Africa and beyond.”

Ofer Lapid and Nasser Abbas, joint CEOs at Gearhouse South Africa, add: “The collaboration is fuelled by our shared vision, passion, and a commitment to service excellence, and we’re excited about the opportunities this venue will create.”

Live Nation expanded into South Africa in 2016 by acquiring a controlling interest in the country’s largest concert promoter, Big Concerts. Ticketmaster then launched in South Africa in 2022, opening a headquarters in Cape Town, and snapped up ticketing platform Quicket this summer.

The Dome is LN’s second major venue project in Africa to be announced this year. In February, it unveiled plans to open a new 12,000-cap arena in Lagos, Nigeria, in late 2025 with partners including Oak View Group.

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