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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Ticketmaster enters Philippines via partnership with SM Prime

Ticketmaster enters Philippines via partnership with SM Prime

Published May 22, 2026 12:25 pm  |  Updated May 22, 2026 01:13 pm
SM Prime and Ticketmaster unite to launch SM Ticketmaster. From left: SM Prime Executive Vice President Cris Noel E. Torres, SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim, and Ticketmaster APAC Regional Vice President Jim Kotsonis.
SM Prime and Ticketmaster unite to launch SM Ticketmaster. From left: SM Prime Executive Vice President Cris Noel E. Torres, SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim, and Ticketmaster APAC Regional Vice President Jim Kotsonis.
SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property development arm of the Sy family’s SM group, is expanding its entertainment footprint by partnering with Live Nation Entertainment Inc.’s Ticketmaster, the global leader in live event ticketing.
The joint venture, named SM Ticketmaster, will absorb and overhaul the services currently handled by SM Tickets. The collaboration aims to integrate Ticketmaster’s global digital infrastructure, product innovation, and anti-fraud systems with SM Prime’s domestic operational scale and reach in the Philippine retail and entertainment markets.
This launch is Ticketmaster’s official entry into the Philippines, targeting the rapid post-pandemic surge in consumer demand for live experiences ranging from regional sporting events to massive stadium concerts. For SM Prime, the alliance accelerates the modernization of its standalone ticketing business, which handles millions of transactions annually across its nationwide network of malls and digital platforms.
The primary objective is to deliver a more reliable, secure, and technologically seamless purchasing experience for local consumers, SM Prime President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey C. Lim said in a statement.
By combining international systems with domestic footprint, the partnership is positioned to anchor the next phase of development for the Philippine live entertainment sector, Lim added.
Beyond SM Prime’s proprietary real estate portfolio—which includes the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the SMDC Festival Grounds, and the upcoming SM Seaside Cebu Arena—SM Ticketmaster plans to aggressively pitch its end-to-end ticketing, marketing, and event operations services to third-party venues, independent promoters, and international event organizers.
The move marks a key milestone in Ticketmaster’s Asia-Pacific expansion strategy, driven by an unprecedented appetite for international music tours and live sporting events in Manila, according to Jim Kotsonis, Ticketmaster regional vice president for APAC. The unified platform is expected to give local fans an optimized interface while providing promoters with sophisticated data tools to manage inventory and dynamic pricing.
Led by Managing Director Mike Mangubat, SM Ticketmaster will oversee complete lifecycle operations for live events, including logistical execution and customer service. SM Tickets is scheduled to transition its existing sales platforms to the new SM Ticketmaster ecosystem over the coming weeks. Existing account holders are being advised to complete early registration to maintain uninterrupted access to high-demand sales.
The corporate pivot comes amid a packed entertainment slate for SM Prime venues this year. Confirmed international touring acts include Grammy-nominated artist Laufey, K-pop groups ITZY and Exo, alongside western pop acts such as Charlie Puth, LANY, Jason Mraz, and 5 Seconds of Summer. Lim noted that the venue pipeline remains robust, with additional commercial and concert partnerships scheduled for disclosure later this quarter. (James A. Loyola)

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SM Prime Holdings Inc. Jeffrey C. Lim Ticketmaster SM Ticketmaster
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