Oak View Group partner with Celta Vigo for hospitality elevation. 11th August 2026 Celta and Oak View Group (OVG), a global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales, have entered into a strategic partnership to transform the food and beverage and hospitality offering at ABANCA Balaídos. The partnership marks OVG Hospitality's entry into Spain, with Celta becoming its first project in the country. Under the agreement, a new food and beverage concept will be developed at the stadium, designed to enhance the experience for fans, corporate clients and visitors, in line with the ongoing modernisation of ABANCA Balaídos. With extensive international experience, OVG Hospitality manages food and beverage services at some of the world's leading sports and entertainment venues, combining operational excellence with local identity, sustainability and innovation. Its experience includes flagship projects such as Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and Manchester City's Etihad Campus. The partnership will help Celta move forward with its ambition to make ABANCA Balaídos an increasingly open and modern stadium, equipped to deliver distinctive experiences both on matchdays and at other events hosted at the venue. "We are particularly proud to launch OVG Hospitality's operations alongside Celta. This project reflects our commitment to Spain and to a hospitality model that combines excellence, sustainability and close collaboration with the local business community," said Toni Ortega, President for Southern Europe at OVG. Amy Latimer, Chief Business Officer at OVG, added: "A world-class venue such as ABANCA Balaídos can be transformative for Vigo and the wider region. A high-quality food and beverage offering will help boost tourism, create new opportunities for local businesses and generate a positive and sustainable economic impact over the long term." Celta President Marián Mouriño also expressed her optimism: "Partnering with a company like OVG means a great deal to us and helps us meet the infrastructure demands of modern football. We are working to ensure that our facilities are seen as an asset that enables us to continue growing as a club and provides us with long-term stability."Leading infrastructure for a forward-looking Project With this agreement, Celta continues to bring on board internationally recognised partners as it works to raise the standard of its infrastructure and services, further establishing ABANCA Balaídos as a meeting place that goes beyond football and contributes to the development of the city of Vigo. The agreement also provides for the possibility of expanding OVG's involvement to the Celta360 ecosystem, which the club is currently developing as the Factoría del Deporte Gallego, its major strategic project to transform the existing training complex into a global hub for innovation, health, education and high-performance sport.

Governor Moore announces Maryland fully owns Preakness Intellectual Property rights after final acquisition. ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today announced that the State of Maryland has completed its acquisition of the Intellectual Property (IP) Rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black Eyed Susan from 1/ST Racing. On June 18, Gov. Moore notified 1/ST Racing that the State of Maryland was exercising its right of first refusal to match the $85 million offer made by Churchill Downs, Inc. to acquire the IP rights. "The Preakness Stakes is a cornerstone of Maryland's history, culture, and economy- so our administration is dedicated to preserving our state as a key power player in the Triple Crown for generations to come," said Gov. Moore. "With this final acquisition we are not only leveraging the Preakness's iconic status and uplifting our horse racing industry, we are revitalizing the communities that directly benefit from the economic opportunities of the race." The Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) issued notes to finance the acquisition. No General Fund tax dollars are being expended to acquire the IP rights. "MEDCO is proud to have had the opportunity to conceive and execute a financial transaction that secures ownership of the Preakness and Black-eyed Susan IP and cements the success of horse racing in Maryland for generations to come," said Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) Chief Executive Officer Tom Sadowski. Through this acquisition, the State of Maryland secured ownership of the valuable IP rights, ensuring that the Preakness will call Baltimore and Maryland home well into the future and the State will remain in firm control of Maryland's multi-billion dollar equine industry. With the acquisition of the IP rights, the State of Maryland now possesses sole ownership of the vital assets that drive its horseracing sector- with Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park under control of the Maryland Stadium Authority and day-to-day horseracing being overseen by The Maryland Jockey Club, a not-for-profit organization established by state law. "We thank Governor Moore for his leadership on this acquisition and look forward to executing the State's vision for a world-class Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan event next year at the new Pimlico," said Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of The Maryland Jockey Club. "With all assets now residing with the State, we will work closely with the Maryland, Baltimore and Park Heights business communities to showcase the Preakness on the national stage." This acquisition is a strategic move to ensure the Preakness Stakes remains a world-class event, managed in the best interest of Maryland's racing community and taxpayers. By owning the IP, the State will no longer be subject to the disadvantageous fee structure of the existing exclusive licensing agreement, which would have escalated costs for the State over time. Instead, the State will operate under a model that prioritizes industry health and community benefit, consistent with the nonprofit model adopted by the Maryland Jockey Club. The State remains committed to growing the Preakness and enhancing its status as a premier event in the Triple Crown. The Maryland Jockey Club has already secured partnerships with best-in-class industry leaders, including Oak View Group for sponsorship growth and KO Productions for world-class event production. While the State will now own the IP, it remains open to identifying areas of mutual interest with Churchill Downs and other industry partners to benefit the broader Triple Crown and the sport of horseracing. In 2024, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue $400 million in bonds to redevelop the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The new facility will support over 500 jobs, and go from hosting approximately 15 racing days per year to becoming the permanent home of Maryland Thoroughbred racing with more than 100 racing days annually. As the centerpiece of Maryland's Thoroughbred racing industry - which sustains more than 28,000 jobs and has generated approximately $3 billion in economic impact - the new Pimlico Race Course will be a year-round hub of economic activity for Park Heights, surrounding communities, and Baltimore City. The State of Maryland has also prioritized investments in Park Heights through the ENOUGH Initiative, which has provided nearly $3 million to revitalization efforts led by Park Heights Renaissance. One of 27 ENOUGH communities, Park Heights is implementing evidence-backed initiatives to improve the wellbeing of young people, including revitalizing vacant homes, addressing food insecurity for residents, and strengthening educational resources for parents.

SURJ Sports, Live Nation and Oak View Group launch radia in Saudi Arabia. LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) - SURJ Sports Investment, a PIF company, together with Live Nation and Oak View Group (OVG), today announced the launch of radia, a new joint venture created to support the growth of sports infrastructure across Saudi Arabia through venue management, operations, activations and commercialization. The joint venture will serve as a strategic platform for SURJ and PIF, combining deep local insight with global expertise to service Saudi Arabia's growing portfolio of world-class stadiums, arenas and major sports precincts. radia will become a fully integrated venue services platform, supporting the full lifecycle of sports venues and precincts, from early stage design review and operational planning to development oversight, operations, and commercialization. Through partnerships, digital and data-driven capabilities, enhanced fan experiences, and a focus on sustainable venue solutions, radia will help turn new infrastructure into commercially successful destinations. radia will be led by Xavier Campbell, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture. Campbell, a seasoned sports executive, has played a key role in shaping radia's business model and will lead the company's market entry and long-term growth strategy. The launch of radia is in line with PIF's ongoing commitment to the sports sector, which lies within the tourism, travel and entertainment ecosystem in PIF's recently announced 2026-2030 strategy. Saudi Arabia's sports sector is forecast to reach more than $22 billion by 2030. Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, said: "This partnership marks a defining milestone in both PIF and SURJ's mission to build a future-ready sports sector in Saudi Arabia, one that delivers today while creating a lasting legacy for generations to come. Working alongside two of the world's most respected industry leaders positions SURJ at the forefront of venue innovation and fan experience. Through this collaboration, we are not only supporting the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's sports ecosystem but also future-proofing its infrastructure, expanding access to world-class fan and visitor experiences, and ensuring Saudi Arabia is equipped to deliver unforgettable moments." John Reid, Chairman EMEA, Live Nation added: "Live Nation has been working and investing in Saudi Arabia since 2017, and this partnership builds on that long-term commitment. By bringing our expertise in programming venue operations and live events, we'll help build venues and experiences that work for artists, athletes, audiences and the wider industry." Chris Granger, CEO of Oak View Group remarked: "World-class sports and entertainment venues are economic and cultural engines. When done well, they create jobs, attract tourism, and stimulate further development. Perhaps more importantly, they become gathering places where communities celebrate, connect, and create shared memories across generations. We at OVG are proud to partner with SURJ and Live Nation on the radia venture, as together we look to create lasting impact, countless memorable moments, and authentic points of civic and global pride for people across Saudi Arabia."