CTS EVENTIM, Europe's leading ticketing and live entertainment provider and the second largest worldwide, announced strong financial results for the first quarter of 2026, continuing its trajectory of profitable growth. The company reported consolidated revenue of EUR 613.5 million, a 23.0% increase compared to the same period last year, while adjusted EBITDA rose by 18.5% to EUR 118.9 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin remained nearly stable at 19.4%.
The Live Entertainment segment was a standout performer, with revenue surging 38.3% to EUR 403.6 million and adjusted EBITDA skyrocketing 151.1% to EUR 29.1 million, driving the segment's margin to 7.2%. This growth was fueled by successful tours and events across multiple markets, including US tours and highly popular events in Germany. CEO Klaus-Peter Schulenberg attributed the strong start to the company's international position and close cooperation with promoters, artists, and partners, which provide solid foundations for sustained growth.
In the Ticketing segment, revenue grew 2.5% to EUR 219.0 million, with adjusted EBITDA up 1.2% to EUR 89.8 million. The margin remained stable at 41.0%. Comparability with the prior year was affected by changes to the partnership with Stage Entertainment, but excluding this effect, ticketing revenue expanded by over 6%. Notably, the contract with Stage Entertainment was extended for the long term as a retail partnership, as reported in April 2026.
The company's venue activities also contributed positively, with the new Unipol Dome in Milan hosting ice hockey tournaments during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, attracting over 400,000 fans across 53 matches. This event highlights CTS EVENTIM's expanding venue portfolio and its ability to host large-scale international events.
After the first quarter, the Executive Board confirmed that the Group's performance aligns with its expectations for the full year. With over 300 million tickets marketed annually through its systems, CTS EVENTIM continues to leverage its mobile/online portals and physical box offices to maintain its market leadership. According to Pollstar's 2025 global rankings, the EVENTIM Group is the second-biggest promoter worldwide, operating some of Europe's most renowned venues.
The positive first-quarter results underscore CTS EVENTIM's resilience and growth potential in the live entertainment and ticketing sectors, driven by strategic partnerships, successful events, and a strong international presence. The company's ability to adapt to changing market dynamics while maintaining profitability positions it well for continued success in 2026 and beyond.
