Dalian venue for music, sports renamed in new deal

Taylor Swift's gig at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai in 2015 was organized by the Los Angeles-based AEG.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Ninety percent of our overseas ticket buyers for concerts are Chinese, and many pay with international credit cards over our phone app," Xu says.

Damai has worked with AEG China for the ticketing of its shows on the mainland for more than eight years.

The new partnership also makes Damai the exclusive ticketing partner of the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, which is also managed by AEG China.

"Mercedes-Benz Arena and Damai are committed to customer service and our partnership really raises the bar to international standards," says Jim Foss, general manager, Mercedes-Benz Arena.

China has only a few multifunctional venues such as the Mercedes-Benz Arena, says John Cappo, president and CEO of AEG China.

Show production costs are expected to drop significantly and operational efficiencies of venues are likely to improve if more such properties are designed and built to international standards, seeking to integrate requirements of sporting events, concerts, circuses, ice shows and so on, he says.

Damai is also expanding its business beyond selling tickets. It has worked with famous actor Deng Chao and scriptwriter Yu Baimei to start Super Theater in Beijing.

Super Theater, which was launched on Thursday, will stage original Chinese dramas produced by Yu's studio.

Damai is also planning more theater projects in second- and third-tier Chinese cities this year.