AEG makes American Express its official payment partner
AEG has made American Express its official payment partner across festivals, venues, and events, find out how the deal will change the live entertainment experience.
AEG has deepened its relationship with American Express, naming the company as its official payment partner across a wide network of festivals, venues, ticketing platforms, and sports properties on four continents. The expanded deal builds on a collaboration that began in 2005 and now integrates American Express into nearly every corner of AEG’s live entertainment business.
Under the agreement, American Express will hold exclusive payment rights across more than 40 AEG-operated venues and events, including iconic destinations such as Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, The O₂ in London, Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, and Berlin’s Uber Arena. For American Express cardholders, the partnership translates into a suite of benefits: priority entrances, exclusive concessions, early ticket access, and unique on-site experiences.
AEG’s flagship festivals, including Coachella, Stagecoach, BST Hyde Park, and All Points East, will also feature expanded Amex integrations. These range from branded lounges and premium hospitality spaces to special fan perks, such as exclusive merchandise and behind-the-scenes access. Venues will showcase dedicated American Express spaces like The American Express Lounge at The O₂, the Centurion Suite at Crypto.com Arena, and the American Express Stadium Club at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The AEG ticketing platform, AXS, will embed the Amex brand more prominently, streamlining payment and access for cardholders. Sports fans will see similar enhancements, with AEG-owned franchises such as the LA Galaxy (MLS) and LA Kings (NHL) incorporating American Express experiences into match days.
AEG executives say the expansion reflects a bigger strategy to create a connected, fan-first ecosystem across its entertainment portfolio. “This is a defining partnership for AEG, one that continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible across live entertainment and fan engagement,” said Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer. Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer at American Express, stated the move as an opportunity to “reimagine how fans connect with the moments that matter,” offering special access to “some of the most unforgettable moments in live entertainment.”
Russell Silvers, President and COO of AEG Global Partnerships, added that American Express has become “a co-architect in how we design the future of live entertainment,” citing collaborations on presale innovations, backstage access, and VIP experiences.
The expanded Amex deal comes as AEG continues to grow its footprint in live events. Other moves include partnerships with Paris’s We Love Green festival, the acquisition of Nashville-based Gary Musick Productions, and a stake in German promoter MCT Agentur. By embedding American Express benefits into its venues, festivals, ticketing systems, and sports franchises, AEG is aiming to set a new standard for premium, integrated fan experiences at scale.