(Adds outlook in paragraph 2, CEO comment in paragraph 3, context in paragraphs 4 and 7)
Nov 21 (Reuters) - CTS Eventim on Thursday said its revenue surpassed 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) for the first time in a nine-month period this year, driven by its diverse ticketing portfolio and expansion both organically and through acquisitions.
Despite challenging economic conditions and high costs, CTS Eventim still expects its adjusted core profit to increase significantly in 2024.
"CTS EVENTIM is continuing to deliver stable growth in an increasingly volatile political and economic environment," CEO Klaus-Peter Schulenberg said in a statement, highlighting its strategy of rapid expansion and financial resilience.
The company has been expanding its footprint with long-term investments, including an arena project in Vienna, and ticketing partnerships for the 2026 Milan and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sales of its ticketing segment rose 22.9% to 564.6 million euros between January and September, notably boosted by presales for tours by artists like Ed Sheeran and Iron Maiden.
The German ticketing group's core profit, or adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), rose 12.1% to 322.7 million euros in the nine-month period.
Live Nation Entertainment , CTS Eventim's main competitor and the world's largest concert promoter, recently reported its first revenue decline since 2021, falling 6% to $7.65 billion in the third quarter, below analysts' estimates. ($1 = 0.9488 euros)
(Reporting by Elizaveta Gladun and Anastasiia Kozlova in Gdansk; editing by Milla Nissi)
((elizaveta.gladun@thomsonreuters.com, Anastasiia.Kozlova@thomsonreuters.com))