Oak View Group (OVG), the global venue development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries today announced American Express (NYSE: AXP) as the official payment partner of OVG’s Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the world’s first carbon zero certified arena, and the Seattle Kraken, the 32nd franchise in the National Hockey League; as well as UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York, and the New York Islanders, the four-time Stanley Cup Champions. Card Members at the two newly opened OVG owned and operated venues will receive exclusive benefits, including early access to presales and dedicated tickets to some of the biggest events in music and sports held at the arenas.
Led by visionaries in sports and entertainment Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff, OVG is currently the global leader in sports and entertainment venue development with more than $4.5 billion in revenue being deployed to create the next generation of venues. As American Express continues to provide world-class experiences for its Card Members, the deal marks the latest in its world-class stable of venue partnerships.
“We set out to build the best music and sports venues in the world, and in order to build the best, you need first-class partners who share a common vision,” said Leiweke, chairman and CEO, Oak View Group. “I have worked with American Express for most of my professional career and they are not only unequivocally the most innovative company in the financial services space, but also a company who understands and appreciates a shared vision. From day one, we wanted American Express Card Members to feel special every time they stepped into Climate Pledge Arena and UBS Arena, and we think this partnership delivers on that promise perfectly.”
“We’re excited to partner with OVG in Seattle and New York to create epic experiences for our Card Members. This partnership builds on our strategy of partnering with the best arenas and venues around the world to reach the next generation of music and sports fans,” said Shiz Suzuki, vice president, global brand sponsorships and experiential marketing, American Express.
American Express Card Members will have access to special perks at Climate Pledge Arena and UBS Arena, including a discount of 10% at eligible concessions, such as bars and clubs, dedicated entrances that offer shorter wait times, access to early ticket on-sales, limited edition team merchandise and more. Both arenas feature world-class hospitality spaces like the 1,338 seat American Express Hall in Climate Pledge Arena and the American Express Lounge in UBS Arena.
