‘The German Live Market Remains One Of The Strongest In The World’: Q’s With Frithjof Pils, MD, Eventim Live & SVP International Growth, CTS Eventim

CTS Eventim is one of the main players in Europe, certainly the number one in ticketing, as the company regularly points out in its earnings statements. Its live entertainment business, which includes concert promotion, has been growing steadily for years, though 2025 is definitely showing signs of a market saturation.

Its half-year results, by the group’s own admission, show that “while momentum in the global market was muted overall, CTS Eventim was able to further consolidate its position and grow profitably.”

For our annual Germany Focus, Pollstar reached out to Frithjof Pils, managing director of Eventim Live & SVP international growth, CTS Eventim, to get his assessment of the state of play in the market where it all began for the group.

Pollstar: How’s business in Germany?
Frithjof Pils: Germany remains a core market for us and the 2025 calendar is strong. The anniversary editions of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park demonstrated continued cultural relevance – highlighted by 27 million livestream views via bild.de, Germany’s largest media brand.

My personal highlight 2025 so far was the upgraded infield experience at Rock am Ring. We invested significantly in order to boost product experience which was overwhelmingly well received by fans.

How does the year compare to 2024? Is it continuing along the same trajectory? Any notable changes in ticket sales?
The festival business in general remains challenging but this is something we proactively deal with. At the same time, demand remains selective, which continues to underline the need for precise curation, brand clarity, and long-term positioning. With our portfolio as a whole, we will be able to continue our path to growth.

What trends/developments in the German live entertainment scene stand out to you?
One key development is the extension of event brands beyond the festival grounds. Brands have realised by now that it makes perfect sense to expand their reach beyond the festival ground and use the additional reach of eventim.de or our partners, such as bild.de. Our collaboration with BILD.de around Rock am Ring exemplifies how media partnerships can significantly boost digital reach and engagement. We also see rising demand for premium experiences – from VIP upgrades to branded hospitality – as fans seek more personalized formats. This opens up new opportunities for brand collaborations and value-added ticketing.

The strength of domestic talent seems to be a big one. Has the importance of domestic increased in recent times?
It has been strong ever since. Domestic talent accounts for maybe 80% of the live content in the German market. Promoters within the Eventim Live Group are closely embedded in local scenes and invest heavily in long-term artist development. At the same time, we increasingly support the internationalization of domestic acts not only from Germany, using our European network to scale careers beyond national borders – a clear strength of our group structure.

Any economic factors that influence your business more than in recent years? Or is it still mainly the incredibly high costs for everything?
High cost pressure and increasingly selective audiences are shaping many of our current decisions. Also, there is an oversupply in the festivals space. These factors require more precise planning, scalable structures, and careful investment across all markets in the future.

Any remaining challenges you’re trying to overcome at the moment?
Balancing supply and demand remains a challenge. The competition for attention is intense – but it also fuels innovation in format, communication, and digital outreach.

What are the biggest opportunities you observe in the German market?
Germany remains a highly attractive market not only for domestic acts but also for international touring – especially as part of broader cross-country tour planning, where the Eventim Live Group offers strong structural advantages.

Opportunities also lie in the modernisation of established formats, the targeted development of new and existing brands, and the ability to reach next-generation audiences through tailored positioning and marketing.

Are there German cities that could do with another concert arena, or would you say the country’s infrastructure is sufficient?
Germany has a strong venue infrastructure. However, the growing technical and logistical demands of modern productions, alongside rising expectations in the VIP and hospitality segments, require continued improvements. A good example is the Arena Milano – currently under construction and set to be operated by us upon completion. It will be Italy’s largest, most modern, and most sustainable multi-purpose arena. Particular emphasis is placed on hospitality offerings for all audience segments – from standard ticket holders to premium guests – reflecting how venue infrastructure is evolving across Europe.

Anything else you’d like the international business reading Pollstar to know?
The German live market remains one of the strongest in the world – and is an important cornerstone in our international perspective. Its strategic relevance keeps increasing through stronger links to other markets and broader collaborative structures. The strategic development of the Eventim Live Group continues to broaden our reach – e.g. from the German-speaking countries and Italy to the US and Asia, and vice versa. This expansion creates cross-border opportunities for artists, promoters, and audiences alike. Germany plays a pivotal role in this trajectory, not least as a hub for innovation, new territorial partnerships, and new deals.

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