Mega Ticketing Deal In France: CTS Eventim Completes France Billet Minority Stake Acquisition

Two ticketing giants merge: CTS Eventim and Fnac Darty
Eventim & Gerard Julien/AFP via Getty Images
– Two ticketing giants merge: CTS Eventim and Fnac Darty
Represented by the companies’ respective CEOs Klaus-Peter Schulenberg (left) and Enrique Martinez

The negotiations between CTS Eventim and Fnac Darty, which owns the French market leader in ticketing France Billet, have been successfully finalized: CTS Eventim will take over 48 percent of shares in France Billet.
CTS Eventim’s existing activities in France, including eventim.fr, will merge into the joint venture, which will continue to do business as France Billet. 
The German live entertainment giant has the option to acquire a majority stake in France Billet four years from the date of the closing of the transaction.
Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO of CTS Eventim, commented: “By partnering with Fnac Darty, CTS Eventim significantly enhances its market position in an economically attractive and culturally diverse market. I’m delighted that we were able to successfully conclude our constructive talks in such a short time. 
“Now we will work together on ensuring that France Billet can profit from our technology and our pan-European network as best as possible. We want to offer our customers in France attractive services, a powerful platform, and a wide range of offerings.”
Enrique Martinez, CEO of Fnac Darty, added: “We are very pleased to have concluded negotiations with CTS Eventim. That shows our common will to accelerate in this rapidly changing market, to pave the way for new avenues of development for France Billet, and strengthen its offer and its innovative capacities in a competitive sector. 
“France Billet will take advantage of the know-how and the strength of the Fnac brand as well as CTS Eventim’s expertise and importance.”