This year’s event made the jump from two days to three, with Production Live! running concurrently on the opening day and an entirely new track dedicated to marketing, ticketing, branding, and fan experience filling out the expanded schedule. The move was driven by a simple truth: there is more to talk about in this industry than two days can hold.
The result was a conference that felt less rushed and more intentional. Panels had room to breathe. Networking didn’t feel like it was competing with programming. And the addition of a full day focused on the business of fan engagement – not just the touring mechanics – reflected a maturing conversation about how revenue gets built in 2026 and beyond.
Oak View Group CEO Chris Granger kicked things off Tuesday morning by naming what everyone in the room already felt: the live business has never offered more opportunity than it does right now. But the conference wasn’t content to just celebrate that – it pushed on it.
The “Power Players” panel brought together AEG Presents’ Rich Schaefer, CAA’s Rick Roskin, WME’s Kirk Sommer, Live Nation’s Colin Lewis, and LaPolt Law’s Dina LaPolt to examine what the industry’s first signs of plateauing in 2024 actually mean. The conversation was direct and substantive – less about whether the slowdown happened and more about what strategic adjustments are required to sustain the extraordinary run this business has been on. For anyone navigating deals, routing decisions, or long-term artist development, it was essential context.
The live entertainment industry has always been a relationship business, and that isn’t going away. I spent a large portion of my time meeting with agents, buyers, and managers discussing opportunities for 2026 and beyond. The lobby was packed so most often I got away to the pool deck to have discussions. Every year, I tell myself not to overbook myself but inevitably, it becomes a succession of long days. I also got away to visit the WME, CAA, IAG and Red Light offices while I was in town.
Throughout the two days, I had the opportunity to attend incredible panels featuring some of the top names in the industry. The programming across all three days was dense, and picking favorites feels a little unfair. But a few sessions deserve specific mention.
- Breaking New Artists: Strategies for artist development in an evolving market
- From Headliners to Fine Print: Contract negotiation and deal structures
- Venue / Tour Relations: Building sustainable partnerships between venues and touring artists
These educational sessions provided actionable insights for booking agents, promoters, venue operators, and artist management teams navigating the complex touring landscape.
The 37th Annual Pollstar Awards, held April 15 at the Loews Hollywood, was an evening that balanced celebration with genuine meaning. The awards themselves reflected a touring year defined by reunion demand, cross-genre collaboration, and artists creating events at a scale that changes the calculus entirely.
Oasis took the top prize – Major Tour of the Year for “Oasis Live ’25” – a deeply earned win for a reunion that delivered on every measure. Metallica won Rock Tour of the Year for the M72 World Tour, with Lars Ulrich on hand to accept and shine a light on the team behind the band. The Eagles won Residency of the Year for their run at Sphere Las Vegas, with Deacon Frey and Timothy B. Schmit accepting alongside Irving Azoff.
On the industry side, CAA was named Booking Agency of the Year, with Darryl Eaton winning Agent of the Year and Allison McGregor taking Marketing Executive of the Year. Live Nation’s Arthur Fogel was recognized as Promoter of the Year. The evening also introduced the inaugural iHeartRadio Pollstar Fan Favorite Award for Live Performer of the Year, which went to Morgan Wallen – a signal that the peer-voted industry awards are starting to build a bridge toward the audiences that make all of it possible.
Several themes emerged throughout the conference that are shaping the live entertainment landscape:
Three days in Hollywood, across panels and keynotes and conversations that started over coffee and ran well into the evening reception, left a clear impression: this industry is not slowing down, but it is growing up. The questions being asked in 2026 are more sophisticated than they were five years ago – about AI and data, about global routing, about sustainability, about the next generation of leaders and the next generation of fans.
At Degy, we attend Pollstar Live! every year because it sharpens our thinking and deepens the relationships that drive real results for our clients. This year was no different. The ideas we’re bringing back are already informing how we approach artist development, corporate event programming, and the conversations we’re having with buyers across every market we serve.
If you’re thinking about what a live entertainment experience could look like for your next event, reach out – we’d love to talk.
Call: 732-818-9600
Email: info@degy.com
Website: www.degy.com
What is Pollstar Live! and who attends?
Pollstar Live! is the premier annual conference for the live entertainment industry, bringing together approximately 2,000 professionals including booking agents, promoters, venue operators, artist managers, touring professionals, ticketing executives, and industry vendors. It serves as the primary networking and education event for the concert touring business.
What expanded in Pollstar Live! 2026's three-day format?
Pollstar Live! 2026 expanded from two to three days, adding Production Live! concurrent programming on day one, a full track dedicated to marketing, ticketing, branding, and fan experience, and expanded networking opportunities. The additional day allowed deeper exploration of industry trends without rushed programming.
What are the Pollstar Awards and who won in 2026?
The Pollstar Awards recognize excellence in live touring and the concert industry. 2026 winners included Oasis (Major Tour of the Year), Metallica (Rock Tour of the Year), The Eagles (Residency of the Year - Sphere Las Vegas), CAA (Booking Agency of the Year), and Morgan Wallen (iHeartRadio Fan Favorite Award).
What major industry trends emerged from Pollstar Live! 2026?
Key industry trends from Pollstar 2026 include maturation beyond post-pandemic growth with focus on sustainability, fan experience as central revenue driver beyond ticket sales, technology integration (AI, data analytics) in tour planning, strategic questions about maintaining momentum after explosive growth, and sophisticated approaches to global routing and artist development.
Why do booking agencies like Degy attend Pollstar Live!?
Booking agencies attend Pollstar Live! to build and maintain relationships with agents, managers, and promoters, gain industry intelligence on touring trends and artist availability, understand market conditions affecting pricing and routing, discover emerging talent before mainstream breakthrough, and network with venue operators and buyers across markets.
How does Pollstar Live! benefit event planners and buyers?
While Pollstar primarily serves industry professionals rather than buyers, booking agencies like Degy who attend bring valuable insights back to clients including access to touring artists through agency relationships, understanding of routing opportunities and availability, knowledge of emerging talent and industry trends, strategic pricing intelligence, and connections facilitating better deals and dates.
What is Production Live! at Pollstar?
Production Live! is the concurrent track at Pollstar focused specifically on tour production, technical requirements, staging, audiovisual technology, and production management. It serves production managers, technical directors, and industry professionals handling the logistics of moving live shows on the road.
Who are the major booking agencies represented at Pollstar?
Major booking agencies at Pollstar Live! include CAA (Creative Artists Agency), WME (William Morris Endeavor), UTA (United Talent Agency), Paradigm Talent Agency, ICM Partners, APA (Agency for the Performing Arts), The Agency Group (IAG), and Red Light Management, among others representing top touring artists globally.
How has the concert touring industry changed post-pandemic?
The live entertainment industry experienced explosive post-pandemic growth driven by pent-up demand, premium pricing acceptance, and festival/stadium-scale tours. Pollstar 2026 discussions reflected the industry now grappling with sustaining this growth, optimizing tour routing, addressing plateauing in some markets, and building sustainable long-term models.
What role does fan experience play in modern touring?
Pollstar 2026 dedicated an entire day to fan experience, reflecting the industry's recognition that revenue extends beyond ticket sales to VIP packages, merchandise, hospitality, digital engagement, and creating shareable experiences. Fan relationship building is now central to touring strategy, not an afterthought.
How can event planners leverage Pollstar insights?
Event planners benefit from Pollstar insights through booking agencies like Degy who understand current touring availability and routing, identify emerging artists before peak demand, navigate pricing based on market intelligence, anticipate industry trends affecting entertainment options, and leverage agency relationships for priority access to talent.
What makes Pollstar the premier concert industry conference?
Pollstar's position stems from 40+ years as the industry's trade publication of record, attracting virtually all major booking agencies, promoters, and venue operators, featuring peer-voted awards with genuine industry credibility, providing unparalleled networking density, and offering educational programming addressing real industry challenges rather than promotional content.