The experience economy sees massive investments in live events. Ari Emanuel paid £4.5bn for ATG Entertainment, owning theatres hosting *Wicked* and *The Lion King*. Bob Iger and associates spent $12.5bn on the Los Angeles Lakers, a record for a sports team. AMC, recovering from pandemic losses, reported record revenues. Pw C forecasts 5% annual growth in global live events spending until 2030. US recreational services spending rose two-thirds over a decade, outpacing inflation. Paramount Skydance aims to release 30 annual films post-merger. While large events drive growth, smaller performances face audience declines. Concentration risks persist despite overall optimism.

These bets reflect confidence in shared experiences amid AI disruption risks. Attendance for World Cup matches and films like *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* hit records. Cinema chains like AMC leverage outings to offset streaming competition.

Economists note diversified growth in recreational services. However, reliance on high-profile events remains a vulnerability. A rebound in smaller venues could mitigate risks for the industry.

Investors see the experience economy as a resilient sector. Yet, sustainability depends on balancing mega-events with broader accessibility.