Montreux Jazz Festival

What Montreux Jazz Festival does

Montreux Jazz Festival is a Swiss non-profit foundation (Fondation du Festival de Jazz de Montreux) operating one of the world's longest-running and most prestigious annual music festivals, founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs in Montreux, Switzerland. The flagship event is a 16-day annual festival featuring over 700 free events plus two paid venues (Auditorium Stravinski and Montreux Jazz Lab), spanning jazz, rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, and emerging genres. The 60th edition runs July 3-18, 2026 at a renovated Convention Center. The organization is led by CEO Mathieu Jaton (since 2013) and President André Kudelski, with a permanent staff of 11-50 supplemented by 1,800+ seasonal staff during the festival window.

The core product portfolio has expanded well beyond the annual festival into a multi-entity ecosystem. Montreux Jazz International (MJI) develops the brand internationally through licensed editions in Miami, Suzhou, Yokohama, and the inaugural Franschhoek African edition (March 2026), plus six Montreux Jazz Cafés across Switzerland and the world's first Montreux Jazz Club at Millennium in Crissier. Montreux Media Ventures (MMV), founded 2019 and directed by Nicolas Bonard, produces year-round content including video, documentaries, podcasts, vinyl records, and tailor-made B2B music experiences for brands such as a 13-date Fairmont Hotel Group world tour. The Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF) runs artist development programs (MJF Residency, MJF Spotlight Sessions). The Montreux Jazz Digital Project, supported by Audemars Piguet since 2010, preserves a UNESCO Memory of the World-recognized audiovisual archive; The Montreux Years album series with BMG monetizes this archive and has produced multiple Grammy Award-winning recordings.

Revenue is generated through a diversified model: consumer ticket sales via Ticketcorner, on-site food and beverage operator fees, merchandise sales through the official shop, sponsorship tiers (Global Partners Audemars Piguet/Julius Baer/Millennium; Main Partners Super Bock/Swisscom/Vaudoise; plus Co-Partners), content licensing through BMG and Montreux Media Ventures, and brand licensing fees from international festival editions and cafés. Long-tenured partnerships anchor the model: Meyer Sound as Official Sound Partner for 38+ years (since 1986) and Vaudoise as Main Partner since 2011. The foundation is recognized as being of public utility, with no VC, PE, or public shareholders indicated; it is governed by a Board of Foundation rather than operating under investor return pressure.

Name

Montreux Jazz Festival

Legal name

Fondation du Festival de Jazz de Montreux

Website

https://montreuxjazzfestival.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montreux Jazz Festival is a Swiss non-profit foundation operating one of the world's most prestigious annual music festivals (60th edition in 2026), expanded globally through international editions in five countries, six branded cafés, a year-round content subsidiary, and a UNESCO-recognized audiovisual archive.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Marketing, Sponsorship Sales & Promotion (MPAGAAAE), Concert & Tour Promoters (MPAIAFAA), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD)

Keywords

• Live music festivals
• Music event production
• Festival brand licensing
• Concert venue operations
• Live music broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreux

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Direct ticket sales for paid concert venues (Auditorium Stravinski, Montreux Jazz Lab) through the official website and Ticketcorner. Tickets are venue-specific and date-specific.
2. On-site Food & Beverage: Revenue from food stands and bars throughout the festival site, including the Vaudoise Deck and various themed bars. Catering stands are managed by third-party operators who pay for placement.
3. F&B Stand Operator Fees: Third-party food and beverage operators pay for stand placement at the festival. Registration periods open annually for operators to apply. Festival provides infrastructure and takes a commission or fee.
4. Merchandise Sales: Festival merchandise including apparel, accessories, and collectibles sold through the official Festival Shop (online and on-site).
5. Sponsorship & Partnerships: Global Partners (Audemars Piguet, Julius Baer, Millennium), Main Partners (Super Bock, Swisscom, Vaudoise), and Co-partners provide sponsorship revenue. Includes financial support, in-kind contributions (e.g., sound equipment from Meyer Sound), and co-branded activations.
6. Content Licensing & Media Rights: Montreux Media Ventures produces and licenses audio-visual content including live albums, documentaries, and the Montreux Years series with BMG. Live at Montreux Jazz Festival albums have won Grammy Awards and generate licensing revenue.
7. Brand Extensions & International Licensing: Montreux Jazz International develops the brand internationally through Montreux Jazz Cafés in Montreux, Lausanne, and Geneva. International festival editions in Miami, Suzhou, Yokohama, and Franschhoek generate brand licensing and management fees.
8. Staff & Production Services: Semi-volunteer staff program with daily allowances for most sectors. Montages/Démontages work is paid at CHF 15.55/hour. Production crew are paid professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Montreux Jazz Festival organizes and presents a two-week annual live music event in Montreux, Switzerland, offering over 700 free concerts alongside ticketed performances at the Auditorium Stravinski and Montreux Jazz Lab venues, featuring jazz, rock, pop, R&B, and hip-hop genres. Beyond the flagship festival, it operates year-round through subsidiaries including Montreux Media Ventures (content production), Montreux Jazz International (global brand extensions and international festival editions), Montreux Jazz Cafés (themed hospitality venues), and the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (emerging talent development), supported by ticket sales, sponsorship, merchandise, F&B, content licensing, and brand-extension revenue.

Product overview

The Montreux Jazz Festival operates as a multi-platform music and cultural organization centered around its flagship annual festival in Montreux, Switzerland (July 3-18, 2026 for the 60th edition), but extending globally through Montreux Jazz International (MJI) which manages international editions (Miami, Franschhoek, Suzhou, Tokyo), the Montreux Jazz Cafés network, and Montreux Media Ventures (MMV) which produces year-round content including video, documentaries, podcasts, and vinyl records. The ecosystem includes the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF) supporting emerging talent through MJF Residency and MJF Spotlight Sessions, the Montreux Jazz Insider community app, and The Montreux Years album series with BMG. The festival also operates the Montreux Jazz Club at Millennium and Montreux Jazz Loft in Lausanne, offering year-round programming. A new digital personalization tool (MJF Swipe) creates tailored festival experiences based on user preferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland) The flagship two-week annual music festival held in Montreux, Switzerland, featuring 700+ free events and ticketed performances at the Auditorium Stravinski and Montreux Jazz Lab, spanning jazz, rock, pop, R&B, and hip-hop. The 60th edition takes place July 3-18, 2026 at the Convention Center.
• Montreux Media Ventures (MMV) A media, production and content creation subsidiary that diversifies the Festival's exposure year-round by producing video, documentaries, podcasts, vinyl records, and tailor-made music experiences for clients, labels, and brands (including a 13-date world tour with Fairmont Hotels).
• Montreux Jazz Cafés A network of branded cafés (six across Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, and Basel) fusing cuisine and music in unique settings including Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, EPFL, EHL, Geneva Airport, and Geneva Pont-Rouge locations.
• MJF Swipe Digital experience created in partnership with Audemars Piguet that generates personalized festival programs based on the listener's musical tastes.
• Montreux Jazz Insider Mobile App Mobile app community that rallies passionate music-lovers year-round with exclusive events, behind-the-scenes tours, meet&greets, soundcheck experiences, and curated editorial content.
• MJF Spotlight Sessions Digital project producing video capsules of emerging artists, evolved into a winter festival format at Théâtre du Villars Palace featuring emerging talents (Hermanos Gutiérrez, Nathy Peluso, Sam Ryder).
• MJF Residency Autumn festival by the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF) bringing together young emerging talents (Maya Delilah, Jasmine Myraz) and accomplished jazz mentors (Billy Cobham, Roni Kaspi, Ray Lema) for a week of playing sessions, workshops, and jam sessions.
• The Montreux Years Album Series Album series launched with BMG in 2021 featuring live recordings from the Festival's audiovisual archive (Nina Simone, Etta James, Muddy Waters, Marianne Faithfull, Chick Corea, Paco de Lucia, Dr. John). Available in vinyl, CD, and digital formats, mastered by Tony Cousins at Metropolis Studios.
• Montreux Jazz Club - Millennium (Crissier)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 free events per festival edition
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered global partner, innovation & strategic partner, main partner, innovation & strategic partner - official sound partner, co-partner, consulting partner, key account, key partner, accessibility partner, media partner and presenting partner.

• Julius Baerglobal partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Global Partner since January 2022 (55th edition). Supports MJF Spotlight digital format for emerging artists and Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation projects. Aligns with Julius Baer's strategic outreach in supporting future talent growth and promotion.
• Audemars Piguetglobal partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Global Partner since 2019. Supports Montreux Jazz Digital Project since 2010. APxMusic program supports artists including Quincy Jones and Mark Ronson. 2026 collaboration with RAYE for bespoke opening performance 'THIS STAGE MAY CONTAIN MOMENTS IN TIME'. AP Parallel intimate music experiences since 2022.
• Millenniuminnovation & strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation & Strategic Partner providing exclusive production support for the festival's digital archives. Contributes expertise, innovations and technological capabilities to enrich the festival's UNESCO-recognized musical heritage. Houses the first Montreux Jazz Club in the world.
• Super Bockmain partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMain Partner since 2019. Portuguese beer brand extending business to Switzerland. First Portuguese brand partner of MJF. Provides beer varieties including craft beer Selecção 1927 and Coruja sub-brand. Exclusive VIP experiences and boat tours from Vevey to Montreux.
• Swisscommain partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMain Partner promoting culture and sport in Switzerland. Swisscom stand with music and football star challenges, instant prizes, and main prize of blue Mobile M subscription. 'Switzerland's best network' soundtrack produced with Mondetto and Swiss musicians.
• Vaudoisemain partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerMain Partner since 2011. Swiss insurance company established in Lausanne in 1895. Vaudoise Deck iconic venue on quayside. 'Feet in the water, head in the stars, heart following the rhythm' positioning.
• Meyer Soundinnovation & strategic partner - official sound partnerTechnology or IntegrationInnovation & Strategic Partner and Official Sound Partner since 1986 (celebrating 38+ years in 2024). Self-powered loudspeakers across all festival stages. PANTHER, LINA, LEOPARD line arrays, 2100-LFC low-frequency control. Bluehorn System for high-fidelity vinyl listening in library with Nagra.
• Bang & Olufsenco-partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Partner providing audio equipment and brand association.
• Bonne Mamanco-partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Partner providing preserves and food products for catering.
• Diageoco-partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Partner providing beverages for the festival bars.
• Nestléco-partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Partner providing food and beverage products.
• Porscheco-partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Partner providing luxury vehicle association.
• Red Bullco-partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Partner providing energy drinks and brand association.
• Romande Energieinnovation & strategic partnerTechnology or IntegrationSustainability partner providing 100% renewable electricity (hydraulic, solar, wind). Analyzed festival's carbon footprint and energy impact in 2024. Implementing targeted high-impact measures for energy efficiency.
• Ticketcornerconsulting partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsulting partner managing primary ticket distribution for concert tickets. Located at Oberglatterstrasse 35, 8153 Rümlang, Switzerland.
• Fairmont Hotel Groupkey accountStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontreux Media Ventures produces 13-dates world tour with Fairmont Hotels covering Rio, USA, Asia and Europe. Live performances in Fairmont Hotels with custom content for social media and long-form video. MJF-insider experiences at Fairmont properties.
• BMGkey partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2021 for 'The Montreux Years' album series. Compiles best moments of artists' Montreux concerts in vinyl, CD, digital formats. Mastered by Tony Cousins at Metropolis Studios, London.
• Procap Suisseaccessibility partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for accessibility and inclusion. LaViva inclusive disco evening and Singing Hands Day with sign language translation for Sahel concert. Accessibility support throughout festival.
• RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse)media partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation & Strategic Partner providing media coverage and broadcast support for the festival.
• Nedbankpresenting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner for Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek inaugural African edition March 27-29, 2026 in South Africa's Cape Winelands.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Live Nation Entertainment: World's largest live-entertainment promoter and venue operator; adjacent/incumbent at festival production, ticketing, and sponsorship aggregation, encompassing many peer festivals in its portfolio.
• SXSW (South by Southwest): Multi-week culture/music/tech festival with brand partnerships, content production, and international editions; comparable founder-led non-profit-like franchise expanding into conferences and content.
• AEG Presents: Global concert promoter and venue operator running festivals (e.g., Coachella via Goldenvoice) and tours; comparable function in artist booking, sponsorship, and ticketing at scale.

Direct peers

• Primavera Sound: Curated European multi-genre festival with strong international brand and city-anchor format; directly comparable premium positioning, sponsor mix, and expansion into international editions.
• Glastonbury Festival: Iconic annual UK multi-stage music festival with similar brand-equity, premium sponsor relationships, and livestream/broadcast reach; comparable operating model anchoring year-round cultural presence.
• Festival International de Jazz de Montréal: One of the world's leading jazz festivals, also anchored in a single host city with multi-genre programming and free/paid venue mix; directly comparable flagship-festival model serving similar audiences and sponsors.
• North Sea Jazz Festival: Premier European jazz festival in Rotterdam featuring massive multi-stage programming; comparable scale, jazz-rooted identity now spanning pop/R&B/hip-hop acts, and similar ticketing/festival economics.
• Coachella (Goldenvoice): Large-scale multi-genre destination festival with global brand cachet, premium sponsorships, and livestreaming; comparable in scale of audience, sponsor depth, and content monetization.
• Newport Jazz Festival: Historic American jazz festival with decades-long heritage positioning; similar cultural-icon status, multi-day format, and tiered ticketed/free programming serving music enthusiasts.

Regional players

• Jazz à Vienne: Major French jazz festival with similar program mix (jazz heritage plus soul/funk/world artists) and comparable scale to Montreux; relevant European jazz-rooted benchmark in adjacent geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MontreuxJazzFest/shorts
• Xx.com/MontreuxJazz
• Facebookfacebook.com/montreuxjazzfestival
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montreux-jazz-festival

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montreux Jazz Festival