KKR takes minority stake in BookMyShow to fund live-events expansion
KKR will acquire an undisclosed minority stake in BookMyShow, backing expansion in live events and full-stack entertainment across India. The deal sharpens competition with Eternal’s District platform after its acquisition of Paytm’s ticketing business.
What happened
KKR will acquire an undisclosed minority stake in BookMyShow to fund its expansion in live events and full-stack entertainment offerings across India. The
Key facts
- KKR acquired an undisclosed minority stake in BookMyShow
- BookMyShow FY25 revenue: Rs 1,869.3 crore, up 30.7% from Rs 1,429.9 crore in FY24
- BookMyShow FY25 net profit: Rs 192.4 crore, up 77.1% from Rs 108.6 crore
- Eternal acquired Paytm's entertainment and ticketing business for Rs 2,048 crore in August 2024
- BookMyShow was founded in 2007
Why this matters
The deal raises the strategic stakes for entertainment and ticketing players, making partnerships, exclusive content rights, and capability acquisitions more urgent.
What to watch
- Investment size, valuation and whether KKR receives board representation or governance rights.
- Announcements of exclusive ticketing or production agreements with major promoters, leagues, venues or artists.
- BookMyShow launches of subscription, loyalty, premium-ticketing or event-financing products.
- District's post-acquisition user migration, merchant retention and major inventory wins from the former Paytm ticketing business.
- Changes in customer-acquisition spending, convenience fees, promoter guarantees or ticket discounting across platforms.
- Evidence of BookMyShow expanding owned-event IP, venue partnerships or acquisitions.
- Growth in non-ticket revenue such as advertising, sponsorship, food and beverage, merchandise and memberships.
- Pursue multi-year exclusive partnerships with major concert promoters, sports leagues, venue operators and international touring acts.
- Invest in owned or co-produced IP such as music festivals, comedy properties and regional live-event formats.
- Expand high-margin ancillary products including memberships, premium seating, merchandise, travel bundles and in-venue ordering.
- Use KKR's network to evaluate bolt-on acquisitions in event production, venue operations, creator communities or entertainment technology.
- Increase penetration in tier-2 and tier-3 cities through regional-language programming and local venue partnerships.
- Defend against District through loyalty incentives, sharper payment offers and faster onboarding of event organizers.