No, Ticketmaster operates in many countries beyond the United States. Here is a quick overview of Ticketmaster’s international presence:
Where does Ticketmaster operate?
Ticketmaster has operations in the following countries and regions outside of the US:
- Canada
- Mexico
- United Kingdom and Ireland
- Europe (including Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Turkey)
- Australia and New Zealand
- Asia (including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, United Arab Emirates, Israel)
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
So in total, Ticketmaster has a presence in over 30 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia/New Zealand.
When did Ticketmaster expand internationally?
Ticketmaster began expanding globally in the early 1990s. Some key events and acquisitions in Ticketmaster’s international history include:
- 1993 – Ticketmaster acquires Ticketron Canada, expanding into Canada.
- 1996 – Ticketmaster UK is established after acquiring Way Ahead, a British ticketing company.
- 1997 – Ticketmaster acquires Australia’s Ticketek, expanding into Australia and New Zealand.
- 1998 – Ticketmaster.de launches in Germany.
- 2002 – Ticketmaster acquires Matchbox Sport Group in Australia.
- 2007 – Ticketmaster begins operations in Mexico.
- 2008 – Ticketmaster expands into Turkey by partnering with Biletix.
- 2008 – Ticketmaster acquires Front Line Management Group.
- 2009 – Ticketmaster merges with Live Nation to become Live Nation Entertainment.
Through this ongoing series of international acquisitions and partnerships over the past 30+ years, Ticketmaster has grown from a primarily US-focused company into one with a global footprint.
What are Ticketmaster’s major international brands?
While Ticketmaster is the predominant brand in most countries, the company does operate under some additional major international brands, including:
- Ticketek – Main brand used in Australia and New Zealand after Ticketmaster’s acquisition of Ticketek in 1997.
- TicketNet – Main brand used in Mexico.
- Lippupiste – Brand used in Finland after Ticketmaster acquired Lippupiste Oy in 2010.
- BilletNet – Brand used in France for some events.
So in summary, while Ticketmaster is the primary global brand, local brands like Ticketek, TicketNet and Lippupiste are used in a handful of major markets.
What are some key differences between Ticketmaster US and international sites?
While the core ticketing functionality remains similar worldwide, some key differences between Ticketmaster’s US and international sites include:
- Different event listings and ticket availability for local events.
- Local language support (e.g. Spanish in Mexico, German in Germany).
- Integration of local payment methods (e.g. Sofort in Germany).
- Customer support via local phone numbers and support hours.
- Sales of some region-specific products (e.g. Indian Premier League cricket tickets in India).
- Availability of region-specific promotions and discounts.
Additionally, some international sites have a different look and feel tailored to local brands and aesthetics. However, the core ticket purchasing process remains similar worldwide.
Does Ticketmaster have the same fees and services internationally?
Ticketmaster’s fees, services and guarantees can vary across different international sites. Some examples of differences include:
Country | Fee Differences |
---|---|
UK | Typically lower per ticket booking fees compared to the US. Fees range from £2.75 to £7 per ticket. |
Mexico | Dynamic delivery fees based on shipping method. eTicket via email is free, paper ticket delivery incurs a fee. |
Australia | Higher delivery fees for paper tickets compared to eTickets. Also charges payment processing fees. |
When it comes to other services like fan-to-fan ticket exchanges and guarantees, availability and terms also differ. Each regional site has its own breakdown of fees, services and policies tailored to the local market.
Does Ticketmaster face any international competitors?
Yes, while Ticketmaster holds a dominant global position in ticketing, it does face competition in various international markets, including:
- Eventim – Large ticketing company in Europe, competing in markets like Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
- AXS – O2’s ticketing brand, competing with Ticketmaster in the UK and Scandinavia.
- Viagogo – Ticket resale marketplace with a global presence in over 70 countries.
- BookMyShow – Leading ticket seller in India.
- Movietickets.com – Major cinema ticketing platform in Latin America.
- Smaller local players in various countries.
However, Ticketmaster still maintains a strong advantage in most major live entertainment markets across Europe, Australia, Asia and North America due to its unrivaled size, distribution network effects, partnerships and vertical integrations.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Ticketmaster has an extensive international footprint, operating in over 30 countries globally.
- It began international expansion in the 1990s, acquiring major companies like Ticketek and Ticketron Canada.
- In most countries it uses the Ticketmaster brand name, but also owns some regional brands like Ticketek.
- International sites are tailored to local languages, events and payment methods.
- Fees, services and guarantees vary across different international Ticketmaster sites.
- It faces some competition from international ticketing companies like Eventim and AXS, but maintains a strong global position.
So while Ticketmaster originated in the US, today it has established itself through acquisitions, partnerships and organic growth as the most widespread ticketing company in the world.