Vivendi Divests Ticketing and Festival Operations to CTS EVENTIM in €300 Million Transaction

CTS EVENTIM has successfully finalized its acquisition of Vivendi’s ticketing services and festival portfolio, marking a significant expansion in the global events industry. The deal, which secured regulatory approval following a put option agreement signed in April 2024, values the divested operations at approximately €300 million.

Financial Scale and Market Performance

The acquired ticketing and festival assets generated substantial revenue in 2023. Vivendi’s ticketing division contributed roughly €105 million in annual revenues with an EBITDA of €26 million, while the festival business segment added €32 million—bringing the combined portfolio to €137 million in total revenues. This performance underscores the strategic value of these operations within CTS EVENTIM’s broader business model.

Geographic Market Dynamics

The UK market emerged as the primary revenue driver for Vivendi’s ticketing operations, with the United States representing the second-largest contributor. This geographic distribution reflects the international scope of both the ticketing infrastructure and festival programming across these key markets.

Strategic Implications for Market Players

For CTS EVENTIM, one of Europe’s leading ticketing providers and the world’s second-largest by market position, this acquisition strengthens its internationalization efforts and expands service capabilities across multiple continents. The company processes over 300 million tickets annually through its digital and physical platforms, and this expansion enhances its ability to deliver integrated solutions globally.

Vivendi retains ownership of certain cultural assets, including L’Olympia venue in Paris, its French ticketing operations, and the Brive Festival—maintaining presence in key cultural markets while streamlining its portfolio focus.

Industry Consolidation and Service Evolution

This transaction reflects ongoing consolidation within the live events and ticketing sector, where digital transformation and global service integration have become critical competitive factors. By combining operations, the deal enables both parties to optimize their respective strategic positions while enhancing service continuity for artists, promoters, and audience members across international markets.