Arena Market: Slovakia

With national inflation on the decline after peaking at 15.4% in February 2023, Slovakians are ready to get back to seeing live music.

“The desire for live music and events among consumers in Slovakia has grown significantly,” says Jana Mudrikova, owner of promoter Agency Vivien. “However, the purchasing behaviour of customers has changed, the interest in buying tickets has shifted more towards the date of the event.”

This is one of the key challenges for the national market, which is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international artists touring Europe. Nestled in the heart of Eastern Europe, Slovakia is an easy addition for those stopping by Austria, Hungary, Czechia, and Poland.

“Economic uncertainties and the associated purchasing power of the customers are the reason why we must consistently consider every ticket price, regardless of the surrounding countries,” Mudrikova says.

“Economic uncertainties and the associated purchasing power of the customers are the reason why we must consistently consider every ticket price, regardless of the surrounding countries.”

Nonetheless, national arenas are ushering in a new era post-Covid, with the pop, rock, and electronic genres clear frontrunners for audiences. Rod Stewart, Sting, Take That, Hans Zimmer, and André Rieu will all grace the stage at the

10,000-capacity Ondrej Nepela Arena, located in the capital city of Bratislava. Over at Košice’s Steel Aréna (8,343), which is just north of the Hungarian border, a variety of regional and national acts are on the 2024 calendar.

Venue programming is often split between entertainment and ice hockey, the nation’s favourite sport, with icy events taking precedence as the venues have home teams.

Competing with hockey calendars is another challenge for local promoters “and reduces the ability to compete with the other countries in large international tours,” Mudrikova says.