Arena Market: Portugal

Few markets have rebounded as well post-Covid as Portugal. By 2022, tourism was up 20% compared to 2019 figures and grew a further 10.7% in 2023.

“Our pipeline indicates stability compared to the last couple of years, which were two of the best ever, with 80 to 90 shows a year and also major international conferences and business events,” says Jorge Vinha da Silva, CEO of Lisbon’s MEO Arena (formerly known as the Altice Arena). “Overall, we host 150 events a year.”

The main stop for artists at arena level in Portugal, the MEO can be configured in several ways – from 4,000 to 20,000 in standing configuration or 13,000 seated. Recently, they hosted Depeche Mode and Dave Matthews Band, and the strength of current demand is evident in the fact that both Olivia Rodrigo and Karol G, due to play there soon, have booked two shows each.

“Our pipeline indicates stability compared to the last couple of years, which were two of the best ever”

It’s a similar story at Porto’s Coliseu Porto Ageas, one of the main cultural venues in the country. An icon of modernist architecture and classified by the Portuguese government as a ‘monument of public interest,’ they hosted 265 shows in 2023 and saw a 15% increase in attendance compared to 2022. “In the upcoming months, our venue is very busy, both with national and international events – mostly music concerts,” says Sara Coelho, the venue’s press and communications officer. “But we still have dates available for agents considering Portugal as their next stop and who want to stage an amazing live event here.”

The Coliseu’s main hall can welcome up to 4,000 people in a variety of configurations and can be adapted for smaller events. It also has a number of smaller rooms and halls, down to a capacity of 180, for concerts, exhibitions, press conferences, lectures, and presentations. “Our programming is very, very diverse, as we welcome all types of events, but since Covid, we have noticed a decrease in international music tours,” says Coelho. “We have not yet reached the number of international music tours we had before 2019.”

Bob Dylan, Simple Minds, and Caetano Veloso have all played recently; Bonnie Tyler and The Cult are scheduled to play later this year. Innovation and development are key to remaining competitive – to that end, they’ve replaced their roof, are currently working on adapting the main hall into smaller configurations, and are equipping their boxes with technology that will allow food and drinks to be delivered directly to a box seat.

“In the upcoming months, our venue is very busy, both with national and international events – mostly music concerts”

Investment continues at the MEO Arena, too. “We have a permanent programme of investments for infrastructure and all our operational systems,” says Vinha da Silva. “On top of that, we are refurbishing certain areas, such as the VIP boxes– we recently built eight new ones – dressing rooms, and our main lounge.”

Other notable venues in the country include the 10,000-capacity Sagres Campo Pequeno in Lisbon, where Chris Isaak, Kim Wilde, and Fontaines D.C. are set to play; the

8,400-capacity Pavilhão Multiúsos de Gondomar, which hosts Bryan Adams this November; and the multipurpose Altice Forum Braga, dedicated to all kinds of exhibitions, recreational events, and entertainment shows for 20 to 20,000 guests.