CTS EVENTIM, Europe's leading ticketing and live entertainment company and the second-largest worldwide, reported robust financial results for the first quarter of 2026, with consolidated revenue increasing by 23.0% to EUR 613.5 million and adjusted EBITDA rising by 18.5% to EUR 118.9 million, according to a press release on NewMediaWire.
The Live Entertainment segment was a standout performer, with adjusted EBITDA soaring by 151.1% to EUR 29.1 million on revenue of EUR 403.6 million, a 38.3% increase year-over-year. The segment's adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 7.2%. This growth was fueled by successful tours and events across multiple markets, including highly popular US tours and events in Germany. The company's venue activities also contributed positively, notably the Unipol Dome in Milan, which hosted 53 ice hockey matches during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, attracting over 400,000 fans.
In the Ticketing segment, revenue grew by 2.5% to EUR 219.0 million, while adjusted EBITDA edged up 1.2% to EUR 89.8 million, maintaining a stable margin of 41.0%. The results were affected by changes in the partnership with Stage Entertainment, but when adjusted for this effect, ticketing revenue expanded by over 6%. Notably, the contract with Stage Entertainment was extended for the long term as a retail partnership in April 2026.
Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO of CTS EVENTIM, commented, 'CTS EVENTIM has made a successful start to 2026, maintaining its trajectory of profitable growth. The Live Entertainment segment performed particularly strongly in the first quarter. Our international position and close cooperation with promoters, artists and partners continue to provide strong foundations for the sustained growth of our business.'
These results underline CTS EVENTIM's resilience and strategic positioning in the live entertainment industry. The company's ability to capitalize on high-demand tours and events, coupled with its robust ticketing platform, positions it well for the remainder of the year. After the first quarter, the Executive Board considers the performance to be in line with its expectations for the full year. With over 300 million tickets marketed annually and a presence in more than 25 countries, CTS EVENTIM continues to solidify its status as a global leader in live entertainment.
