---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001641172-25-019559"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AREN"
cik: "0000894871"
company_name: "Arena Group Holdings, Inc."
filed_at: "2025-07-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-18T06:35:15.451145+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Arena Group dismisses KPMG as auditor; appoints BDO; cites going concern and material weaknesses

## Summary
- Audit Committee dismissed KPMG effective July 11, 2025; BDO USA appointed as successor same day.
- KPMG's FY2024 audit report included an explanatory paragraph about substantial doubt as a going concern.
- Two material weaknesses reported: incomplete documentation of accounting policies and insufficient controls over third-party data.
- No disagreements with KPMG on accounting principles or audit procedures during the relevant period.
- KPMG issued a letter (Exhibit 16.1) agreeing with the disclosures in this 8-K.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001641172-25-019559
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AREN
- cik: 0000894871
- company_name: Arena Group Holdings, Inc.
- filed_at: 2025-07-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 4.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000164117225019559/0001641172-25-019559-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000164117225019559/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001641172-25-019559
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001641172-25-019559.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001641172-25-019559.txt

## Key facts
- Auditor Changes
  Arena Group Holdings, Inc. engaged BDO USA, P.C. as its auditor.
  - Action: engagement
  - Auditor: BDO USA, P.C.
  source text: ewly Appointed Independent Registered Public Accountant On July 11, 2025, the Committee approved the appointment of BDO USA, P.C. (“BDO”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to perform independent audit services, effective immediately. The selection of BDO as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm was also approved by the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000164117225019559/0001641172-25-019559-index.htm
- Auditor Changes
  Arena Group Holdings, Inc. dismissed KPMG LLP as its auditor.
  - Action: dismissal
  - Auditor: KPMG LLP
  - Successor: BDO USA, P.C.
  source text: approved the dismissal of KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000164117225019559/0001641172-25-019559-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.