Anticipated Increase in Concert Ticket Prices According to Eventim's Executive Director - Anticipated Hike in Concert Tickets According to Eventim CEO
In the ever-evolving world of entertainment, concert ticket prices have seen a significant increase in recent years, with the trend expected to continue. Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO of CTS Eventim, one of the world's leading ticket providers, has confirmed this expectation.
The rise in concert ticket prices is attributed to several key factors. In the streaming era, artists earn less from recorded music, making touring a primary source of income. This shift has led them to maximize revenue from live performances, often resulting in higher ticket prices.
Modern concerts feature elaborate productions, advanced technology, and large touring teams, all of which raise overall expenses. These costs are passed on to consumers in the form of higher ticket prices. The industry’s adoption of dynamic pricing models, similar to airlines and hotels, allows ticket prices to fluctuate based on demand, often driving up costs.
High demand and limited supply also contribute to higher prices. As long as demand for live events remains strong—often spurred by acts with massive, loyal fanbases—prices are likely to stay elevated. High demand enables both primary sellers and resellers to charge more.
When tickets sell out quickly on the primary market, they often appear on resale platforms at much higher prices, amplifying the perception and reality of expensive tickets. Inflationary pressures, such as rising costs for labor, transportation, and venues, also contribute to higher prices.
From 1996 to 2025, the average concert ticket price in the UK increased by 428.7%, far outpacing the general inflation rate of 101.16% over the same period. In the last three years alone, prices have jumped 80.5%—four times the rate of general inflation. Even in the U.S., tickets for live entertainment have risen 39.1% over the past decade, compared to a 35.3% increase for all goods.
Despite some fans reaching their spending limits, especially in a rocky economy, the combination of high demand, industry pricing strategies, and the central role of touring in artists’ incomes suggests that concert prices are unlikely to fall meaningfully in the near future. As long as fans continue to prioritize live experiences over other forms of entertainment, the upward trend in ticket prices is expected to persist.
Eventim, headquartered in Munich with important locations in Bremen and Hamburg, sells tickets for concerts, theater performances, and sporting events, organizes concerts, and operates venues like the Waldbühne in Berlin. The company currently employs approximately 4,900 people and achieved a profit of 318.9 million euros last year, up from 274.6 million euros in 2023.
Schulenberg, who is involved in Eventim through his foundation, hopes and supports that the increase in concert prices happens in an acceptable manner. He has also reported that multiple factors influence the pricing of concerts, including rising fees for venues and employees.
The power dynamic in negotiations is often in favor of artists, especially successful ones, who often receive a guaranteed fee and a significant portion of the event's profits. In the case of the most famous artists, their profit share can exceed 75 percent.
The increase in concert prices is observed across the industry, with CTS Eventim being the world's second-largest ticket provider, trailing only Live Nation Entertainment from the USA. Schulenberg acknowledges the increased personnel costs since the end of the corona pandemic, which have risen by 45 percent.
However, many employees left the industry during the corona pandemic, and Schulenberg hopes that the industry will recover and attract new talent to manage the increased costs. He also emphasizes the importance of providing fans with unforgettable live experiences while ensuring the financial sustainability of the industry.
The Commission, considering the significant increase in concert ticket prices and the trend's projected continuation, may propose extending the agreement's validity to cover the period from 1 January to 31 December. This move could provide a stable financial environment for businesses involved in the music and entertainment industries, as high ticket prices remain a primary source of income for artists in the streaming era.
In light of the high demand and limited supply of concert tickets, not only do resellers profit from this situation, but the finance sector also benefits, as fans may seek credit options to meet the expanding cost of attending live events. Consequently, financial institutions could potentially engage more substantially in the music and entertainment industries.
