Live Nation Explores New Bentonville Ballroom Venue for Downtown Arts District

Live Nation is exploring plans for a new music venue in the heart of downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, a project that would add a 2,500-capacity performance space next to the Momentary.

The proposed venue, called Bentonville Ballroom, would be developed in collaboration with the Momentary and is targeted to open in 2028. Designed to host national touring artists, community events, and local performances, the venue would fill a key gap in Northwest Arkansas’ venue ecosystem by adding a midsize room capable of attracting a wide range of touring acts.

“Bentonville is a destination for arts and culture, and food, and the Momentary ignited the city’s music scene,” said Tom Walton, chair of the Momentary Council. 

“The Bentonville Ballroom will be a beautiful new cultural landmark. We’re happy to invite Live Nation to our campus. Their experience connecting artists and fans will accelerate our city’s momentum with year-round, quality music experiences for residents and visitors.”

If approved, the venue would represent a major investment in the region’s cultural and economic future. Live Nation estimates the Bentonville Ballroom would generate $46.3 million in economic impact annually, while supporting approximately 280 jobs and producing about $4.9 million in state and local tax revenue each year. Venue employees would start at $20 per hour, according to the company.

“We’re honored to work with the Momentary to bring more music to Northwest Arkansas,” said Anthony Nicolaidis, Live Nation’s Arkansas market president. “This is going to be a special room that brings major artists to Bentonville, and creates a permanent cultural asset for the city — a place where local fans can see their favorite acts without having to travel.”

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The venue’s early design concept was created by Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s in-house design and development group, in partnership with BIG–Bjarke Ingels Group and Polk Stanley Wilcox. The design aims to reflect Bentonville’s connection to the surrounding Ozark landscape, incorporating natural materials, warm wood tones, and architectural elements intended to bring the region’s textures and light into the performance space.

Live Nation said every element of the venue would be built with both artists and audiences in mind, including state-of-the-art acoustics, clear sightlines, comfortable gathering areas, and premium hospitality options. The facility would also be available for private events and corporate gatherings

Local tourism leaders say the project could further elevate Bentonville’s status as a regional destination for culture and entertainment.

“We’re excited to see this investment in Bentonville’s live music infrastructure and enthusiastically support the Bentonville Ballroom project,” said Kalene Griffith, president and CEO of Visit Bentonville. 

“Live music delivers real economic value for Bentonville and attracts audiences from our community, the region, and beyond. In addition to music, the Bentonville Ballroom will also strengthen our unconventional convention offerings and expand our capacity to host high-impact cultural and business events.”