Arena Group Holdings, Inc.

Previous wording

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Listed below is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. There are numerous factors that affect our business, operations and financial results, many of which are beyond our control. The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or our ability to pay our debts and other liabilities could suffer. As a result, the trading price and liquidity of our securities could decline, perhaps significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” All dollar figures are presented in thousands unless otherwise stated.

Current wording

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Listed below is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. References to past events are provided by way of example only and are not intended to be a complete listing or a representation as to whether or not such factors have occurred in the past or their likelihood of occurring in the future. There are numerous factors that affect our business, operations and financial results, many of which are beyond our control. The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or our ability to pay our debts and other liabilities could suffer. As a result, the trading price and liquidity of our securities could decline, perhaps significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.” All dollar figures are presented in thousands unless otherwise stated.

Previous wording

Our search engine optimization capability in connection with audience acquisition efforts substantially depends on various internet search engines, such as Google, to direct a significant amount of traffic to the content published on the Platform. Algorithms are used by these search engines to determine search result listings and the order of such listings displayed in response to specific searches. Search engines frequently revise their algorithms in an attempt to optimize their search result listings. Future algorithm changes by Google or any other search engines could cause content published on the Platform to receive less favorable placements, which could reduce the number of readers who view this content and impact our ability to effectively serve digital advertisements to our audience. If we are unable to respond effectively to changes made by search engine providers to their algorithms and other processes, this could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results.

Current wording

Our search engine optimization capability in connection with audience acquisition efforts substantially depends on various internet search engines, such as Google, to direct a significant amount of traffic to the content published on the Platform. Algorithms are used by these search engines to determine search result listings and the order of such listings displayed in response to specific searches. Search engines frequently revise their algorithms in an attempt to optimize their search result listings. We believe that recent algorithm changes adversely affected traffic and revenue performance during the year ended December 31, 2025 and similar changes could impact future periods. Future algorithm changes by Google or any other search engines could cause content published on the Platform to receive less favorable placements, which could reduce the number of readers who view this content and impact our ability to effectively serve digital advertisements to our audience. If we are unable to respond effectively to changes made by search engine providers to their algorithms and other processes, this could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results.

Previous wording

We rely on content contributed by third party providers to attract users that drive advertising and subscription revenue. The loss of the services of any of such key contributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Competition for such contributors is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate, or retain them which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Current wording

We rely on content created by Expert Contributors to attract users that drive advertising and subscription revenue. The loss of the services of any of such key contributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Competition for such contributors is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate, or retain them which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Previous wording

Changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other governments could have an impact on advertisers and the advertising market. If advertisers’ operating costs increase due to the changes in policy, and they are unsuccessful in passing these increases along to consumers, then the advertisers will likely seek to reduce costs in other ways, including the amount of their advertising. Additionally, changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs could also have the impact of preventing advertisers from deploying new goods and services and reducing the related advertising dollars. The recently announced tariffs by the U.S. government on product imports from certain countries may result in an outsize impact on certain industries that are key advertising categories for us, including automotive and consumer goods. The uncertainty regarding the ultimate impact of any changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies or tariffs could also impact advertisers as they continue to determine changes needed to their businesses. Such changes in trade policy or the imposition of tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our customers’ advertising spend, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Current wording

Changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other governments could have an impact on advertisers and the advertising market. If advertisers’ operating costs increase due to the changes in policy, and they are unsuccessful in passing these increases along to consumers, then the advertisers will likely seek to reduce costs in other ways, including the amount of their advertising. Additionally, changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs could also have the impact of preventing advertisers from deploying new goods and services and reducing the related advertising dollars. The tariffs by the U.S. government on product imports from certain countries may result in an outsize impact on certain industries that are key advertising categories for us, including automotive and consumer goods. The uncertainty regarding the ultimate impact of any changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies or tariffs could also impact advertisers as they continue to determine changes needed to their businesses. Such changes in trade policy or the imposition of tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our customers’ advertising spend, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Previous wording

We and our third party service providers experience attempted cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis, one of which infiltrated our systems and accessed a limited amount of our non-financial and encrypted data. We expect to incur significant, increasing costs in ongoing efforts to detect and prevent cybersecurity-related incidents. We cannot ensure that our efforts to prevent cyber security incidents will succeed. While we purchase liability coverage for certain of these types of matters, a significant cybersecurity incident could subject us to reputational harm, loss of revenue, financial liability and other damage that may exceed our insurance coverage and preclude us from obtaining adequate insurance levels in the future.

Current wording

We and our third party service providers experience attempted cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. We expect to incur significant, increasing costs in ongoing efforts to detect and prevent cybersecurity-related incidents. We cannot ensure that our efforts to prevent cyber security incidents will succeed. While we purchase liability coverage for certain of these types of matters, a significant cybersecurity incident could subject us to reputational harm, loss of revenue, financial liability and other damage that may exceed our insurance coverage and preclude us from obtaining adequate insurance levels in the future.

Previous wording

As discussed in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the course of preparing our financial statements, we identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting (i) our finance and accounting policies, including those governing revenue recognition, expense recognition, and balance sheet valuation principles and methodologies, have not been fully documented; and (ii) we did not maintain a sufficient system of internal controls to validate data provided by certain third party service providers. As a result of the identified material weaknesses, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2024. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K did not result in any misstatement of our financial statements. Our management is currently undertaking remedial actions to address the material weaknesses identified as of December 31, 2024. However, we may in the future discover material weaknesses in other areas of our internal control over financial reporting that require remediation.

Current wording

As discussed in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the course of preparing our financial statements, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting: we did not design and maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of information received from a third-party programmatic advertising services provider used in recording certain advertising revenues. As a result of the identified material weakness, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2025. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness identified in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K did not result in any misstatement of our financial statements. Although our management is currently undertaking remedial actions to address the material weakness identified as of December 31, 2025, we may in the future discover material weaknesses in other areas of our internal control over financial reporting that require remediation.

Previous wording

We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, and actions we may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or that they will prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses.

Current wording

We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, and actions we may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiency that led to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting or that they will prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses.

Previous wording

If we fail to timely meet our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, Sarbanes -Oxley and other applicable securities rules and regulations in their entirety, we could be subject to penalties under federal securities laws and regulations of the NYSE American and face lawsuits, and our ability to access financing on favorable terms could be restricted severely. We will also not be able to obtain independent accountant certifications required for public companies under Sarbanes-Oxley. In addition, pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, we are required to evaluate and provide a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting which has, and will continue to, require increased costs, expenses and management resources. During the evaluation and testing process of our internal controls, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to certify that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future.

Current wording

If we fail to timely meet our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, Sarbanes -Oxley and other applicable securities rules and regulations in their entirety, we could be subject to penalties under federal securities laws and regulations of the NYSE American and face lawsuits, and our ability to access financing on favorable terms could be restricted severely. We will also not be able to obtain independent accountant certifications required for public companies under Sarbanes-Oxley. In addition, pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, we are required to evaluate and provide a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting which has, and will continue to, require increased costs, expenses and management resources. In addition, we are required to engage independent auditors to express an opinion on internal control over financial reporting. During the evaluation and testing process of our internal controls, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to certify that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future.

Previous wording

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the success of the Platform, our offerings, competing technological developments, and general economic and market conditions, which have presented substantial uncertainty in recent months. We may need to raise funds through public or private financings, strategic relationships, or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Furthermore, any equity financing will be dilutive to existing stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may limit our operating flexibility with respect to certain business matters. Strategic arrangements may require us to relinquish our rights or grant licenses to some or substantial parts of our intellectual property. If funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution in net book value per share, and such equity securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of the holders of our existing capital stock. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to continue operating, develop or enhance products, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Current wording

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the success of our business, our offerings, competing technological developments, and general economic and market conditions, which have presented substantial uncertainty in recent months. We may need to raise funds through public or private financings, strategic relationships, or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Previous wording

We operate in an evolving industry, and as a result, our business has evolved over time such that our operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and future prospects. Our results of operations have fluctuated in the past, and future results of operations are likely to fluctuate as well. We may not be able to sustain current growth rates, current revenue levels, or achieve profitability. In addition, because our business is evolving, our historical results of operations may be of limited utility in assessing our future prospects. We expect to face challenges, risks, and difficulties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly developing industries, including those relating to:

Current wording

We operate in an evolving industry, and as a result, our business has evolved over time such that our operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and future prospects. Our results of operations have fluctuated in the past, and future results of operations are likely to fluctuate as well. We may not be able to sustain current growth rates, current revenue levels, or sustain profitability. In addition, because our business is evolving, our historical results of operations may be of limited utility in assessing our future prospects. We expect to face challenges, risks, and difficulties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly developing industries, including those relating to:

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2024, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, due to prior period losses of approximately $210.6 million, and certain NOLs could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to make use of our NOLs. Subject to certain limitations, NOLs can be used to offset taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may limit certain NOLs we may use in any year for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the event of certain changes in ownership of our Company. If an “ownership change” occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on certain pre-ownership NOLs and other tax attributes we can use to reduce our taxable income, potentially increasing and accelerating our liability for income taxes, and also potentially causing those tax attributes to expire unused. In addition, our ability to use our net operating losses is dependent on our ability to generate taxable income, and certain net operating losses could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to make use of our net operating losses.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2025, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, due to prior period losses of approximately$193.5 million, and certain NOLs could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to make use of our NOLs. Subject to certain limitations, NOLs can be used to offset taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may limit certain NOLs we may use in any year for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the event of certain changes in ownership of our Company. If an “ownership change” occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on certain pre-ownership NOLs and other tax attributes we can use to reduce our taxable income, potentially increasing and accelerating our liability for income taxes, and also potentially causing those tax attributes to expire unused. In addition, our ability to use our net operating losses is dependent on our ability to generate taxable income, and certain net operating losses could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to make use of our net operating losses.

Previous wording

In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), our Certificate of Incorporation, or our Bylaws; any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Current wording

(“DGCL”), our Certificate of Incorporation, or our Bylaws; any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.