The Movistar Arena has now added a new triumph to its crown: conquering second place as the liveliest venue in the world. After reaching the third milestone in 2024, this year’s achievement represents the best result in its history in the ranking of the most influential publications in the international music industry. Both Poll Stara magazine specializing in the live music business, as well as billboardleader on a global scale, coincides with the fact that the Madrid hall is the second in the world, with a total of 158 musical events celebrated which, together with sports, totaled 230 at the end of the year, with more than two million participants, 1.8 of them in concerts.
On the table Top 200 global arenas of Poll Starwhile the former WiZink Center has occupied the podiums without interruption since 2018, the Movistar Arena reaches its second peak, just behind the Yokohama Arena (Japan) for its largest audience, and ahead of emblematic spaces like Madison Square Garden in New York, the Sphere in Las Vegas or the Movistar Arena in Santiago de Chile.
On the other hand, billboard This also gives the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid the second world championship, in this case only behind the O2 Arena in London, with a slightly different calculation period. The list also reflects a tie in the number of tickets sold with Madison Square Garden, although the Madrid pabellon records a greater total volume of events celebrated.
These results continue in a record year for the Movistar Arena. In 2025, 230 events have been scheduled, including 158 concerts, a figure that has been consolidated in the venue “as one of the great European references” for international tours and “as one of the main cultural and entertainment hubs of the continent”, according to its leaders.
International rankings do not include sporting activities, which are just as essential in their calendar. In this context, the space hosts around 70 events per year, including the La Liga and Euroliga evenings of Real Madrid de Baloncesto and Movistar Estudiantes, as well as first-level competitions such as the Madrid Premier Pádel, the friendly evenings of the Spanish Selección; the Spanish Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship, in 2025.
On a musical level, the year was marked by successes such as the start of Radiohead’s tour in Madrid after seven years of silence, with four consecutive concerts; the residence of Dani Martín, with shows; or the last concerts of Joaquín Sabina, which culminated with his final farewell to the stage and became the Movistar Arena the musical epicenter of the year.
By 2026, the venue will once again surpass its own records, with 240 events confirmed, including more than 160 concerts and more than 70 days dedicated to sport. The calendar will also include family shows and corporate events. On the program, leading artists like Eric Clapton, four sets from Rosalía, Aitana, Dani Fernández and Morat, in addition to the expected return of the original formation of La Oreja de Van Gogh, with six concerts.
Alongside its growing international project, Movistar Arena announced on December 2 a massive expansion to 20,008 locations in its maximum format, a strategic step that will allow it to stand out from other category venues. interior roomlike the Palau Sant Jordi or the Roig Arena. “The growth of money is crucial for the program, international artists need large spaces,” Movistar Arena delegate Manuel Saucedo told EL PAÍS. The expansion will be accompanied by a new self-protection and evacuation plan updated to guarantee the maximum standards of safety and operability in accordance with the increase in its capacity.
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