REGIONAL PROFILES
CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE POPULATION: 9.9m (AZ); 4.3m (HR); 10.6m (CZ);1.2 (EE);9.9m (HU);1.94m (LV); 2.8m (LT); 38.5m (PL); 7.1m (RS); 80.8m (TU) INTERNET USERS: 7.7m (AZ); 3.1m (HR); 8.6m (CZ); 1.1m (EE); 7.8m (HU);1.6m (LV); 2.1m (LT); 26.2m (PL); 4.7m (RS); 46.8m (TU) GDP/CAPITA (US$): 17.4K (AZ); 24.1K (HR); 35.2K (CZ); 31.5K (EE); 28.9K (HU);27.3K (LV); 31.9K (LT); 29.3K (PL); 15.2K (RS); 26.5m (TU) SMARTPHONES: 6.6m (AZ); 4.4m (HR); 13.9m (CZ);1.9m (EE); 11.8m (HU); 2.6m (LV); 4.2m (LT); 56.8m (PL); 9.1m (RS); 44.7m (TU)
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here’s a buoyant mood across Central and Eastern Europe. Although there are still regional variations, overall the picture of the live entertainment market is very positive. Some countries are seeing very strong growth, while others are expanding at a more modest rate. The development of local talent is paying dividends, with the result that venues are not as reliant on the touring schedules of international artists. However, economies are still behind their Western European counterparts, meaning balancing artist fees and affordable ticket prices can be challenging.
REGIONAL MAP n = Azerbaijan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia & Turkey
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We surveyed arenas in Azerbaijan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia and Turkey. The arenas taking part sold 6,774,662 tickets to 1,382 events in 2017. The total spend was €204.4million.
Attendance
Average attendance figures are the lowest in Europe, at 4,902 per event, compared with a survey average of 6,036. Sport accounted for the most events, making up 45% of the overall number, followed by music (33%), and family shows (10%). But music topped the average attendance figures, drawing 5,938 people per event (survey music average: 7,327). Sport attracted on average 4,688 people (5,471), followed by miscellaneous events at 3,846 (6,118), and family shows at 3,787 (3,828). Comedy drew on average 3,079 (6,490), and dance, 2,920 (3.058). Music events were worth a total of €119.9m – 59% of the total spend, whilst sports events netted €54.4m – 26% of all revenue, despite taking up 45% of the dates. The value of family shows was €17m, or just 8% of total spend. From the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, Tibor Lak says: “2017 was a record-breaking year for us. We had 113 event days, which represents a 20% increase on the previous year, while the audience numbers increased by 15% and reached almost 700,000. It seems Budapest is more and more popular for international stars, plus there are more Hungarian bands who have enough fans to play an arena show.” The 20,400-capacity Tauron Arena in Kraków, Poland, opened in 2014. Konrad Kozioł says: “While 2017 wasn’t quite as good financially as 2016, we had more events. Every year we host some of the biggest events in Poland, such as Metallica, 30 Seconds To Mars, Ed Sheeran, and the Rolling Stones.”