Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons
Klaus-Peter Schulenberg is the founder and CEO of CTS Eventim, a leading company in the European ticketing and live entertainment market. His entrepreneurial journey began in the 1970s, organizing concerts and managing artists before acquiring CTS in 1996. Schulenberg has since transformed CTS Eventim into a global leader, selling over 300 million tickets annually through its systems. As of December 5, 2025, his net worth is estimated at $4.7 billion.
Klaus-Peter Schulenberg was born in Bremen, Germany, on July 14, 1951. During his school years, he was part of a band and organized performances for them. He studied economics at the University of Bremen.
Schulenberg's career began in the entertainment industry while he was still a student. In 1973, he founded an artist management and event agency. He organized concerts for renowned acts such as Alice Cooper and The Rolling Stones. His breakthrough came when he signed Schlager icon Bernd Clüver as a management client. Schulenberg acquired the ticketing company CTS in 1996. In 2000, CTS Eventim went public, which was a significant milestone in its growth. Schulenberg's vision involved acquiring regional concert promoters, ticketing agencies, venue operators, and event producers, propelling CTS Eventim to sell over 250 million tickets annually before the coronavirus pandemic.
Schulenberg's strategy focused on the expansion and diversification of CTS Eventim. This included strategic acquisitions and the development of digital platforms. CTS Eventim has become the number one provider of ticketing services in Europe and number two in the world.
Schulenberg and his life partner, Ulrike Thümmel, are members of the Advisory Council of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg.
Organized concerts and managed artists.
Acquired the ticketing company CTS, which became the foundation for CTS Eventim.
Took CTS Eventim public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Member of the Advisory Council.
"I've been asked why CTS Eventim, over all these years, has been so well received by the capital market. The reason is simple: we've always placed a higher value on the good of our company than on the capital market's appraisal."
Prioritizing the long-term health and success of the company over short-term market valuations.
Schulenberg's personal philosophy.
CTS Eventim and Kapsch TrafficCom were awarded a contract to collect passenger vehicle tolls in Germany, but after European regulators scrapped the plan, they claimed over $600 million in damages from the German transportation ministry.
Schulenberg's acquisitions of regional concert promoters, ticketing agencies, venue operators, and event producers have created friction with cartel authorities.
