Ticketmaster to enter PH via SM Prime partnership

Ticketmaster is set to enter the Philippines through a partnership with SM Prime Holdings to provide end-to-end ticketing services for events within SM properties and third-party venues and promoters.

The partnership will form SM Ticketmaster, taking over SM Tickets, which will transition its existing reservation and sales services in the coming weeks

“Our goal is to make the ticket-bying experience more reliable, secure and convenient for customers,” SM prime president Jeffrey Lim said in an emailed statement.

“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,” he added.

SM Prime operates the SM Mall of Asia Arena, SMDC Festival Grounds, and the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, set to open in June 2026.

Among the confirmed acts in the company’s venues this year are Laufey, ITZY, Kodaline, Charlie Puth, LANY, Jason Mraz, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Exo Planet #6.

“Fans in the Philippines are showing strong and growing demand for live experiences, from major international tours to sports and local shows,” Ticketmaster APAC regional vice president Jim Kotsonis said.

“For Ticketmaster, this is an important new market and a natural step in our international expansion,” he added. —VAL, GMA News