Daven Tamayo

US ticketing giant Ticketmaster enters Philippines in SM Prime deal

Concert-goers wear facemasks during K-pop group Seventeen's "Ode to You" world tour at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on February 8, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Seventeen "Ode to You" World Tour

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Philippine property giant SM Prime Holdings has partnered with global ticketing leader Ticketmaster to launch &quot;SM Ticketmaster,&quot; SM Prime said in a statement.The joint venture will absorb and upgrade the existing operations of SM Tickets, the largest ticketing service in the Philippines. The move aims to capitalize on a massive post-pandemic surge in demand for live experiences, ranging from major sports events to international concert tours.  SM Prime said that under the agreement, the new platform will combine Ticketmaster&#x27;s advanced global technology, product innovation, and fraud-prevention tools with SM Prime&#x27;s extensive local footprint. SM Tickets currently operates more than 100 outlets nationwide.  “Our goal is to make the ticket-buying experience more reliable, secure and convenient for customers,” said Jeffrey Lim, President of SM Prime. “Through this partnership, we are combining Ticketmaster’s global ticketing technology with our local operating expertise to support the next phase of live entertainment in the Philippines.”   The transition is set to take place over the coming weeks. SM Ticketmaster will service SM Prime’s own high-profile venues—including the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the upcoming SM Seaside Cebu Arena—as well as third-party promoters and organizers.  The Philippines has increasingly become a mandatory stop for global entertainment acts. Upcoming performances scheduled at SM venues include major international artists such as LANY, Charlie Puth, ITZY, and Laufey.  “Fans in the Philippines are showing strong and growing demand for live experiences, from major international tours to sports and local shows,&quot; said Jim Kotsonis, Ticketmaster’s regional vice president for APAC. &quot;SM Ticketmaster will give fans a simpler way to buy tickets and organisers stronger tools to manage their events.”   Ticketmaster processes over 500 million tickets annually across more than 35 countries.

The joint venture will absorb and upgrade the existing operations of SM Tickets, the largest ticketing service in the Philippines.

The joint venture will absorb and upgrade the existing operations of SM Tickets, the largest ticketing service in the Philippines.