German Live Events Heavyweight DEAG Plots a Post-COVID Return to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Photo Credit: Raja Sen

DEAG, leading German live events group, is planning a major return to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the first quarter of the year following its delisting in 2021 in the wake of the pandemic. The Berlin-based group plans an offering comprising a capital increase of $43-54 million, alongside an additional offering of existing shares from current shareholders.

The company went public in 1998, but delisted in January 2021 during the COVID pandemic after accepting a takeover offer from its largest shareholder, Apeiron Investment Group and Malta-based subsidiary, Musai Capital. DEAG says the proceeds from the re-IPO will be used to further accelerate its growth as per its Buy & Build acquisition strategy, with a focus on “high margin” ticketing businesses and live entertainment.

DEAG will restructure the business into two primary segments: live entertainment and ticketing & service. A major part of the strategy is to drive more of the company’s ticket sales through its own ticketing platform.“We believe that there is an enormous growth potential in our business,” says DEAG co-CEO Detlef Kornett. “From driving ticket sales toward our own ticketing platforms to acquiring companies which increase synergies within our group and strengthen our strategy of expanded growth in both our live entertainment and ticketing and services businesses, the road ahead of us is paved with opportunity.”

“The foundation of our business stands on our strong historical growth, as shown by the ever-increasing number of events we offer since 2019 — recurring revenues from over 30 festivals, intellectual property created from children’s musicals to lightrails and our hallmark New Year’s Eve event at the Brandenburg Gate,” Kornett adds.

“We continue to expand our existing, and capitalize on new, business opportunities and develop strategies to complement this business growth in our existing and new markets. As we have shown in the past, we will look to the future with full confidence at the prospects for our business.”

DEAG reported a “new level of revenue and earnings” in its financial results released in November, with revenue increasing by 73.3% from $134 million to $232 million compared to the last pre-COVID year of 2019, while EBITDA also rose significantly.