The US live entertainment market saw a sharp decline from 2019 to 2020 due to the pandemic but rebounded to a significant value by 2024.
Despite this recovery, growth remains slow because of inflation, tariffs, and economic uncertainty limiting discretionary spending. Live entertainment is often considered a non-essential expense, competing with priorities like savings and vacations. The Live events market size is forecasted to grow modestly to nearly $50 billion, with an average annual growth around 1% expected in the foreseeable future. This reflects a stable yet cautious Live Events market that will rely on innovation, affordability, and digital strategies to sustain consumer engagement and broaden access.
Consumers in the US Live Events Market increasingly discover live events through social media, especially younger and middle-aged groups, while older audiences still rely on traditional media. Concerts and festivals remain the most popular events, but interest is rising in comedy, theater, and fan conventions, mainly among younger people. Despite higher ticket prices, many consumers continue spending on food, drinks, and merchandise at events. Safety and affordability are important concerns, with nearly half the consumers finding live entertainment too costly for regular attendance, fueling demand for virtual options and more accessible experiences. These Live Entertainment Market trends highlight shifting consumer priorities and opportunities for growth.
Purchasing the US Live Entertainment Market Report 2025 offers key insights into consumer behavior and market trends. It helps organizers understand attendance, ticket buying habits, and on-site spending. The report highlights opportunities in digital marketing, safety, and event diversity to boost engagement and growth.
The US Live Entertainment Market Report 2025 delivers comprehensive insights into consumer preferences, market dynamics, and emerging trends shaping the industry. It covers key areas such as event attendance patterns, ticket purchasing behaviors, spending on food, beverages, and merchandise, as well as discovery channels and safety concerns. The research draws on data from a broad demographic of US consumers, segmented by age, income, location, and interests to provide a detailed understanding of audience behavior. This report is valuable for event organizers, venues, marketers, ticket distributors, and brands seeking to optimize strategies, improve customer engagement, and capitalize on growth opportunities in the evolving Live Events market and broader Live Entertainment Market.
This report was written by Candace Baldassarre. At Mintel since 2022, Candace writes reports across Food and Drink, Tech and Media, and Lifestyles and Retail. Candace received her Master of Arts degree in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of Toronto. Her graduate research informed ESG strategy for digital experiences, marketing and content at TD bank.
Amid concerns around rising costs of living, consumers are not necessarily prioritizing live entertainment in their household budgets. For many of those who do, however, live events are not just events but a defining part of their personality.
Candace Baldassarre
Senior Analyst
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