be•at
be•at venues nv is a Belgian live entertainment operator and wholly-owned Live Nation subsidiary managing seven arenas and theaters across Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and Hasselt, serving concert-goers, theater audiences, and corporate clients through direct ticketing, on-site hospitality, and long-term naming-rights partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersMerksem, Belgium
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What be•at does
be•at venues nv is a Belgian live entertainment venue operator headquartered in Antwerp that manages the country's largest network of live entertainment venues — seven sites across four cities (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and Hasselt), comprising four arenas (AFAS Dome up to 23,000 capacity, Lotto Arena 8,000, Vorst Nationaal 8,400, Trixxo Arena) and three theaters (Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, Capitole Gent, Trixxo Theater Hasselt ~1,400). The business is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Nation, which provides be•at with access to global touring acts and a back-of-house operational relationship, while be•at retains local brand identity and venue operations. Underlying technology is a proprietary digital stack consisting of the be•at mobile app (iOS/Android) for event discovery and venue navigation, the be•at tickets e-commerce platform for direct ticketing, 360° virtual venue tours (including wheelchair-accessible variants) for pre-purchase and accessibility, and venue box offices for walk-up sales.
The company runs roughly 1,000 events per year and surpassed the 3-million-ticket mark in 2025 across all venues. Revenue is generated through ticket transactions (the primary stream), venue rental and event hosting for corporate clients and third-party promoters, on-site hospitality and food-and-beverage (including the AFAS Lounge premium experience), and naming rights/sponsorship partnerships such as the 10-year AFAS Software deal on AFAS Dome. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the be•at app, be•at tickets, and venue box offices, plus a dedicated be•at Business channel for corporate clients. Audience segments are split between concert/event-goers at the arenas and theater/cultural audiences at the theaters, with corporate event organizers as a secondary vertical.
Operational positioning is anchored in iconic Belgian entertainment landmarks (Vorst Nationaal, formerly Forest National, carries 50+ years of music history and recently received the CAP48 accessibility award), a Live Nation network effect for artist routing, and an increasingly explicit ESG and inclusivity playbook — free menstrual products in partnership with Yoni across all venues, sustainable-mobility integrations with STIB/De Lijn/SNCB/Slinger/Pro Velo, the be•at Earth sustainability committee, and the be•at Award introduced in 2025 to recognize standout venue performances. Management is led by CEO Jan Van Esbroeck and COO Birgit Ketele, with Coralie Berael serving as venue director for Vorst Nationaal.
be•at firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- be•at
- Legal name
- be•at venues nv
- Website
- https://beatvenues.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- be•at venues nv is a Belgian live entertainment operator and wholly-owned Live Nation subsidiary managing seven arenas and theaters across Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and Hasselt, serving concert-goers, theater audiences, and corporate clients through direct ticketing, on-site hospitality, and long-term naming-rights partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
be•at industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Entertainment Venues
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas) (THAHAAAF), Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB), Venue Food, Beverage & Hospitality Operations (Concessions, Catering, Premium Seating) (MPAGALAN), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where be•at is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Merksem
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
be•at business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from the sale of event tickets across all seven venues, serving millions of visitors annually. The ticketing platform (be•at tickets) processes sales for concerts, theater performances, sports events, and family shows.
- Venue Rental & Event Hosting: Revenue generated from hosting third-party events, corporate functions, and private bookings at be•at venues. Venues host approximately 1,000 events annually.
- Hospitality Services: Food, beverage, and hospitality services within venues, including bars, food stands, and premium hospitality experiences (e.g., AFAS Lounge).
- Naming Rights & Sponsorship: Naming rights partnerships (e.g., AFAS Dome naming partnership with AFAS Software, Lotto Arena, Trixxo Arena/Trixxo Theater) and broader sponsorship deals contribute to venue revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard ticketing across all seven venues |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
be•at product offering
Product offeringCore offering
be•at operates a network of seven live entertainment venues across four Belgian cities (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Hasselt), ranging from 23,000-capacity indoor arenas to intimate ~1,400-seat theaters. The venues host concerts, theater performances, sports events, family shows, and corporate events, generating revenue from ticket sales, venue rentals, hospitality services, and naming-rights sponsorships.
Product overview
be•at is a venue management and live entertainment company operating a network of seven distinct venues across four Belgian cities (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Hasselt). The portfolio consists of four large-capacity arenas (AFAS Dome — Belgium's largest, up to 23,000; Lotto Arena, up to 8,000; Vorst Nationaal, up to 8,400; Trixxo Arena) and three theaters (Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, Capitole Gent, Trixxo Theater Hasselt ~1,400). Supporting the venue network are digital products: the be•at App (mobile guide for event discovery, venue navigation, seat maps, and giveaways), be•at tickets (ticketing platform), and be•at Business (B2B corporate partnerships). Sustainability efforts are coordinated through the be•at Earth internal committee. The company is a subsidiary of Live Nation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- be•at App: Mobile application serving as a personal guide for visitors to be•at venues, offering event information, venue maps, navigation, and giveaways.
- AFAS Dome
- Lotto Arena
- Vorst Nationaal
- Trixxo Arena
- Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen
- Capitole Gent
- Trixxo Theater Hasselt
- be•at tickets
Products and services
- AFAS Dome Belgium's largest indoor arena located in Antwerp, with capacity up to 23,000 visitors. Hosts major international concerts, sports events, and live shows. Renamed from Sportpaleis Antwerpen to AFAS Dome in September 2025 under a 10-year naming partnership with AFAS Software.
- Lotto Arena Mid-sized arena adjacent to AFAS Dome in Antwerp, with capacity up to 8,000. Suitable for concerts, family shows, and sports events, featuring flexible seating configurations.
- Vorst Nationaal (Forest National) Legendary concert hall in southern Brussels with capacity for over 8,000. A fixed stop on international touring circuits, known for its rich musical history and accessibility achievements (CAP48 award).
- Trixxo Arena Largest indoor event hall in Limburg (Hasselt), serving concerts, parties, trade shows, exhibitions, corporate events, and sports. Located near the train station and highway for easy access.
- Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen Classic theater in the heart of Antwerp combining rich history with modern infrastructure. Hosts musicals, comedy, theater, and family performances.
- Capitole Gent Art-deco theater forming part of Ghent's cultural heritage. Suited for music, dance, lectures, and family shows, noted for excellent acoustics and charming character.
- Trixxo Theater Hasselt Modern theater on the outskirts of Hasselt seating approximately 1,400. Serves theater, music, comedy, and family performances with a warm atmosphere and excellent facilities.
- be•at tickets be•at's proprietary ticketing platform for purchasing tickets to events across all seven be•at venues. Integrated with transport benefits (Event Pass for STIB/De Lijn) and includes features such as Instacorners photo booth integrations.
- be•at App Mobile application for iOS and Android serving as a personal guide for all be•at venues. Features include event discovery and pre-announcement push notifications, venue navigation with seat maps, bar and food stand locations, sustainable travel advice, and participation in giveaways and promotions.
- be•at Business B2B offering providing corporate partnership and business engagement opportunities with be•at's venue network, including venue rentals, sponsorships, and private event hosting for corporate clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3 million+ tickets sold in 2025
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use be•at
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
be•at technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
be•at partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- YoniminorYoni provides free menstrual product dispensers (RedLockers) across all be•at venues. Yoni is a brand known for sustainable, organic, chemical-free menstrual products. This initiative supports inclusivity and aligns with be•at's sustainability vision.
- AFAS SoftwarecoreTen-year naming rights partnership for the AFAS Dome (formerly Sportpaleis Antwerpen). AFAS Software is a Dutch family-owned company developing intelligent business management software. The partnership emphasizes technology, hospitality, and sustainability. The naming aligns with AFAS's mission of innovation and societal commitment.
- Live Nationcorebe•at is a subsidiary of Live Nation, the world leader in live entertainment. This relationship provides access to global artist touring networks, promotional pipelines, and international event programming, while be•at represents Live Nation's Belgian venue operations.
- Zonta International / Zonta Says No to Violence Against Womenminorbe•at supports the international 'Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women' campaign, illuminating the AFAS Dome roof in orange as a symbolic gesture. This is a global movement in collaboration with UN Women.
- Elegast Den DamminorCommunity partnership with Elegast Den Dam, a neighborhood organization in the Den Dam district near AFAS Dome and Lotto Arena. Together they offer local youth employment opportunities as site crew members in the venues.
- STIB/MIVB (Brussels Transport)minorEvent Pass integration: concert tickets for Forest National include free tram, bus, and metro travel on Brussels STIB network on the event day (both directions).
- De Lijn (Flemish Transport)minorConcert tickets for AFAS Dome and Lotto Arena serve as valid transport tickets on the De Lijn network, facilitating sustainable travel to events.
- SNCB/NMBS (Belgian Railways)minorBravo! Ticket program offers 50% discount on return train journeys from any Belgian station to Forest National, promoting sustainable event attendance.
- Slinger (Carpooling Platform)minorOfficial carpooling partner for AFAS Dome, Lotto Arena, and Vorst Nationaal/Forest National, helping visitors share rides to events and reduce environmental impact.
- Pro VelominorCollaboration on Vollenbike Village at Vorst Nationaal, offering free cycling activities, workshops, and a Cyclo Disco event to promote sustainable mobility to concerts.
- Parking Brussels / P+RminorPartnership with Parking Brussels and P+R facilities for park-and-ride options to Forest National, reducing car traffic around venues.
- Seppe Nobels / InstroomminorChef Seppe Nobels' social project 'Instroom' — which trains newcomers and refugees for careers in hospitality — partnered with the AFAS Lounge at the AFAS Dome during the Andrea Bocelli concert, combining culinary excellence with social impact.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
be•at competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ASM Global: World's largest venue management company operating convention centers, arenas, and theaters globally. ASM Global is a broad incumbent comparable to be•at in venue management scope, though it spans a much broader facility mix beyond live entertainment.
- Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG): Global venue operator and live entertainment company owning/operating major arenas and stadiums worldwide. AEG is a broad incumbent that competes directly with Live Nation (be•at's parent) for artist routing and venue management mandates across multiple continents.
- The O2 Arena (London): 20,000-capacity arena in London, one of the world's busiest live entertainment venues. A broad incumbent European arena comparable to AFAS Dome in capacity tier and international touring programming; competes on routing decisions for global tours.
Direct peers
- Festhalle Frankfurt: Historic multi-purpose arena in Frankfurt with up to ~13,000 capacity for concerts. Comparable to AFAS Dome and Vorst Nationaal in scale and as a long-standing European touring stop, with similar iconic heritage positioning.
- Palais 12 / Paleis 12 (Brussels): ~15,000-capacity venue at the Heysel complex in Brussels, operated by AEG/SMG. The most direct Belgian competitor to be•at's arena venues (AFAS Dome, Lotto Arena) and likely the main alternative venue for tour routing decisions in the Brussels market.
- Ziggo Dome: 17,000-capacity indoor arena in Amsterdam operated by Live Nation, hosting major international touring artists. Directly comparable to AFAS Dome in scale, programming, and Live Nation ownership structure; competes for the same Benelux touring circuit.
- Cirque Royal (Brussels): Brussels-based cultural/theater venue hosting concerts, comedy, and live performances. Direct peer to be•at's theater venues (Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen, Capitole Gent, Trixxo Theater) in format and Belgian theater market positioning.
- Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin: 17,000-capacity arena in Berlin hosting concerts, sports, and entertainment events. Comparable to AFAS Dome in scale and programming mix; competes on continental European touring routing decisions.
- Barclays Arena Hamburg: 13,000-capacity indoor arena in Hamburg operated under Live Nation, hosting major international concerts and family shows. Direct peer to AFAS Dome and Lotto Arena in scale, ownership structure, and Benelux/Northern European touring circuit.
- AFAS Live: 6,000-capacity Amsterdam concert hall also named under AFAS Software's sponsorship and operated by Live Nation. Directly comparable to mid-sized be•at venues like Lotto Arena and Vorst Nationaal; shares the same AFAS sponsor relationship and parent company.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
be•at social profiles
Digital presencebe•at financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
be•at leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
be•at funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
be•at M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about be•at
What does be•at do?
be•at operates a network of seven live entertainment venues across four Belgian cities (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Hasselt), ranging from 23,000-capacity indoor arenas to intimate ~1,400-seat theaters. The venues host concerts, theater performances, sports events, family shows, and corporate events, generating revenue from ticket sales, venue rentals, hospitality services, and naming-rights sponsorships.
Is be•at a public or private company?
be•at is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was be•at founded?
be•at was founded in 2019. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is be•at based?
be•at is headquartered in Merksem, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does be•at make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are venue Rental & Event Hosting, hospitality Services and naming Rights & Sponsorship.
Who are be•at's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ASM Global, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and The O2 Arena (London). Direct peers are Festhalle Frankfurt, Palais 12 / Paleis 12 (Brussels), Ziggo Dome, Cirque Royal (Brussels), Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin, Barclays Arena Hamburg and AFAS Live.
Does be•at have an API?
No public API is recorded for be•at.
What industry is be•at in?
be•at's product category is Live Entertainment Venues. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAC, Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues), with a secondary code of THAHAAAF, Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas). Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7900.