Archdiocese Enlists Live Nation For Buenos Aires Venue Redev

One of Argentina’s most iconic entertainment venues is getting a multimillion-dollar facelift — and yes, it’s owned by the Catholic Church.

Luna Park, a historic 1930s-era stadium nestled in the heart of Buenos Aires, will temporarily close for a sweeping renovation led by DF Entertainment and global live-events heavyweight Live Nation, the Buenos Aires Times reported.

Live Nation acquired a majority stake in Argentina’s leading concert operator, DF Entertainment, in 2018.

The $34 million project, set to wrap by late 2027, will mark the venue’s most significant upgrade in decades, with modernized acoustics, expanded amenities and preserved historic façades.

The venue’s owner, Estadio Luna Park S.A., is legally controlled by the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires via Catholic charitable organizations, the Salesian Society and Caritas. In a deal finalized June 25, the Church granted DF Entertainment and Live Nation a long-term concession to redevelop and operate the site.

The terms reportedly include an annual fee of $1 million and a contract duration of at least 20 years. The stadium was inherited by the Church from philanthropist Ernestina Devecchi de Lectoure, who bequeathed the property after her death in 2013.

The revamped venue is expected to host more than 150 events per year, including international tours, local artists and sporting events. Although final capacity figures haven’t been disclosed, developers confirmed the goal is to expand audience volume while maintaining the building’s protected historic status.

A joint statement from the Church-owned holding company’s shareholders called the redevelopment a response to “new challenges presented by today’s cultural landscape,” promising a venue that balances legacy with modern fan expectations.

The winning bid by DF Entertainment and Live Nation came after a private selection process that reportedly attracted 12 proposals, including one from ASM Global, which co-manages Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena. Pope Francis, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, had reportedly followed the process closely and encouraged transparency during the negotiations.

Luna Park’s renovation arrives as competition intensifies in Argentina’s live-events market, with newer venues like Movistar Arena and Malvinas’ Live Arena drawing major acts. Still, few carry Luna Park’s historic clout, having hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Mercedes Sosa, and even Pope John Paul II.

— Judah Duke