Ticketing operator GoFan has merged with PlayOn! Sports to create a new one-stop shop for streaming and digital ticketing services in the North American high school sports sector. The merger of the two Atlanta-based operators will create an expanded group that will provide its services to nearly 10,000 high schools across the US. KKR, which …
Controversial LIV Golf launches ticketing packages ahead of inaugural events
Tickets for the controversial new LIV Golf Invitational Series are now available, with premium packages for the full schedule costing £9,000. The Saudi Arabia-backed tour, which is led by former World No.1 Greg Norman, begins at Centurion Golf Club in London in June, with a further seven dates coming in North America and Asia. LIV …
Backstage: Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys and more
A round-up of the latest live music news… Ed Sheeran has cancelled a tour date at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light after agreeing to appear at the Queen’s jubilee pageant outside Buckingham Palace. The British star was due to play three consecutive nights of his +-=÷x tour at the venue, but will now miss the June …
The Open set to smash attendance records
The 150th Open at St Andrews is set to welcome a record-breaking 290,000 fans in July. More than 1.3 million applications in the ticket ballot showcased an unprecedented demand to watch golf at the world-renowned Old Course. The number would surpass the 239,000 spectators that witnessed Tiger Woods lift the Claret Jug, the more common …
Wasserman Music acquires Paradigm’s UK live music business
Artist booking agency Wasserman Music has acquired talent agency Paradigm Talent Agency’s UK live music representation business. As part of the move, long-time UK partners Dave Hallybone (middle left), Alex Hardee (middle right), Tom Schroeder (right) and James Whitting (left) have joined the Wasserman music managing executive team. The London-based partners founded CODA Agency in …
Ticketmaster moves into South African market
Ticketing company Ticketmaster is to enter the South African market for the first time after announcing its launch in Africa’s potentially most lucrative nation. Ticketmaster South Africa, to be headquartered in Cape Town, will provide ticketing technologies, solutions and services. The move follows Ticketmaster’s onsale for Justin Bieber’s Justice World Tour, which the company claims …
Tech Stack: NFTs, investment and more…
Our weekly tech round-up from the world of ticketing and associated industries… NFT ticketing NFT (non-fungible tokens) platform Afterparty has recently closed a $4m (£3m/€3.2m) funding round to bring total capital raised to $7m. The platform is hoping to use the funding to launch an NFT ticketing platform for artists. Investors include celebrity hotel heiress …
People on the move: The O2, Vivid Seats and more…
We round up the latest movements from the ticketing sector and associated industries… Christian D’Acuña (pictured left) has been promoted to the role of senior director of programming (UK) at The O2 in London. D’Acaña took up the position earlier this year and will continue to take the lead on programming alongside Emma Bownes, as well …
Live music revenues faced further decline in 2021
PRS for Music, a body that collects royalties for songwriters, has said that royalties from live performances of music fell roughly 30% in 2021, despite concerts and festivals resuming in the summer. Revenue from concerts amounted to just £8m (€9.5m/$10m), down from £11.3m in 2020 and £54m in 2019. PRS said that only 19,300 setlists …
FEAT welcomes Digital Services Act to improve ticket resale
The European Union (EU) has reached a provisional political agreement on the Digital Services Act (DSA), which will benefit ticket buyers as it aims to crack down on ticket resale abuse and create a safer online environment. The text was agreed at the weekend after long hours of discussion between policy-makers. The Act is set …