TEG looks to UK expansion with acquisition of struggling venues and Ticketek launch

June 17, 2020

Live entertainment and ticketing company TEG is looking to invest in UK venues impacted by the Coronavirus shutdown.

In an interview with the Financial Times, TEG Chief Executive Geoff Jones outlined the Sydney-based group’s strategy for expansion in the UK.

Explaining that TEG is looking at a handful of options to buy venues with a capacity of between 500 and 2,500 as the halt on live entertainment puts the sector under severe strain, Jones advised “there will be a lot of casualties. Without sounding like a vulture that presents opportunities.”

Jones (pictured) told the FT that he expects that half of TEG’s earnings could eventually be derived from Europe while also giving an update on plans to expand its Ticketek ticketing brand in the UK.

Having last year said the launch would come in early 2020, he said this would now happen “when the time is right”.

With Australia’s live performance and sport sectors emerging from complete lockdown, Jones is confident of recovery already.

While encouraged by the resumption of NRL games, he acknowledged that it is as yet unclear how larger venues might reopen as it is not financially viable for concerts to run at lower capacities.

Not expecting that ticket prices will rise to make up for lost revenue given lower consumer confidence and concerns over safety, he added “it won’t come back like a runaway locomotive.”

TEG took a first step in the UK market last year when it purchased Bristol-based promoter MJR and venues including Cardiff’s TramShed and The Mill in Birmingham.

In October last year, TEG was acquired by US-based technology investors Silver Lake, whose other investments include Alibaba Group, Dell Technologies, WME’s parent company Endeavor, and the Madison Square Garden Company

Earlier this week it was announced that in November, 1,000 concerts would take place across 20 nights in NSW to help restart the live music industry in the state.

Click here to view the Financial Times story.

17th June 2020 - Queensland Government approves return of fans to stadiums

13th June 2020 - Community sporting clubs facing financial ruin as revenue streams hit by Coronavirus impact

12th June 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum welcomes potential easing of restrictions on outdoor sport and entertainment venues

12th June 2020 - Australian Prime Minister moves forward relaxation of Coronavirus rules to allow crowds to return to sport and entertainment

9th June 2020 - Industry stakeholders unite to restart sport and entertainment

1st June 2020 - NSW Government abandons plans for redevelopment of Sydney’s ANZ Stadium

26th May 2020 - NRL’s goal to have crowds in stadiums in July described as ‘absurd and dangerous’ by Australian Medical Association

26th May 2020 - Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium acknowledged as a world leader for sustainable design

20th May 2020 - Global sports sponsorship market predicted to fall by 37% this year

1st May 2020 - Coronavirus has multi-billion dollar negative impact on global sport

4th June 2020 - Live Performance Australia’s $345 million plan to restart and rebuild the entertainment industry

28th March 2020 - Major entertainment promoters call for Australian Government support through Coronavirus crisis

22nd May 2020 - Ticketek integrates Afterpay as payment option

20th May 2020 - TEG appoints Matthew Donazzan as head of strategy, mergers and acquisitions

8th April 2020 - TEG Live explains resolution with ACCC over 2019’s International Basketball Series

30th March 2020 - TEG survey suggests most Australians expect ‘normal life’ to resume within six months

4th May 2020 - Theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh says West End and Broadway shows will be ‘last to go back’

19th February 2020 - Ticketek introduces contactless tickets at Central Coast Stadium

6th September 2019 - Ticketek extends historic Melbourne and Olympic Parks partnership for another five years

9th October 2019 - Geoff Jones outlines TEG’s international growth plans

4th October 2019 - Owners sell TEG to technology investors

20th September 2019 - TEG Insights launches advertising data and insights platform

19th September 2019 - TEG unveils new experiences content division

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