Fresh from delivering six FIFA World Cup Ceremonies and fan experiences across the six host cities, culminating in the Closing Ceremony in New York, Balich Wonder Studio, a Banijay Entertainment company, today announces its expansion across North America through New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. The company is accelerating its next phase of growth as it evolves from a creator of world-class live experiences into a Global Creative Platform for sport, culture and entertainment.

This announcement comes after a landmark year for the Studio, which also saw the delivery of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show, the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 2025, further strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading creators of extraordinary cultural moments experienced by billions of people around the world.

The news also follows the completion of Banijay Group and RedBird IMI’s merger of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, creating a Global Media and Entertainment Powerhouse. Drawing on Banijay Entertainment’s worldwide content and digital capabilities, alongside RedBird IMI’s extensive expertise across sport, media and investment, the Group is uniquely positioned to create extraordinary live experiences that capture global attention and evolve across platforms and markets.

Co-founded by Marco Balich, one of the world’s most renowned creators of live entertainment, Balich Wonder Studio has spent more than two decades creating some of the world’s most-watched and talked-about live experiences. Its track record includes 17 Olympic Ceremonies, 21 Regional Games Ceremonies, 8 UEFA Champions League Kick Off Shows, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Ceremonies, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Ceremonies, and many other landmark events around the world.

Its international footprint now comprises strategic hubs in Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York, Milan, Paris, Dubai, Riyadh and Shanghai — each anchored in a key growth market for live entertainment, sport and IP-development.

Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay Entertainment comments: “Banijay Entertainment has grown into a global media and entertainment powerhouse built on creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, outstanding talent, and international reach. Meanwhile, Balich Wonder Studio, has become one of the world’s leading creators of live experiences, trusted by many of sports’ most significant rights holders. Uniting our combined expertise across content and live, with RedBird IMI’s unique strengths across media, sport and investment, we have the opportunity, in bolstering our footing in North America, to create something distinctive: a global platform capable of transforming the world’s biggest live moments far beyond the events themselves.”

Jeff Zucker, CEO, Redbird IMI & Chairman, Banijay Entertainment comments: “It’s so exciting to see the expansion of Balich Wonder Studio into North America just as we have competed the merger of Banijay and All3Media. Growing our footprint in North America and in live production are two of our strategic imperatives, and I am thrilled we are able to do this so quickly.”

Carlo Noseda, Global CEO, Balich Wonder Studio comments: “For over twenty years, Balich Wonder Studio has created some of the world’s most memorable live experiences. As we expand into North America, the next chapter is about taking those moments further – creating them, extending them, and scaling their impact around the world. Sport today is far more than competition. It is culture, entertainment, community and global storytelling. Over the past six months, our teams have worked across the Olympic Winter Games, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. Few companies have the privilege – and the capability – to contribute to so many defining moments in global sport and culture. Supported by Banijay Entertainment and RedBird IMI, we are uniquely positioned to transform extraordinary moments into lasting platforms that connect talent, audiences and ideas. Because the moments people remember most are not what they saw, but what they felt”.

Balich Wonder Studio has built its reputation far beyond the world of global sporting events. Today, the Group partners with leading brands and institutions across culture, luxury, fashion and entertainment, delivering end-to-end creative solutions – from concept development to flawless execution – for immersive productions, original live entertainment formats and bespoke experiences. Through its dedicated luxury division, Balich Bespoke, the Group creates tailor-made experiences for the world’s leading luxury and fashion brands, delivering exclusive events across the globe. Its client portfolio includes LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Formula 1, Gucci, Ferrari, Samsung, Bulgari, Maserati, Dolce & Gabbana, Buccellati and Max Mara, among many others.

The business’ latest expansion bolsters the capabilities of Banijay Entertainment’s dedicated division, Banijay Sports, which is designed to enable rights holders, brands and destinations to create, extend and scale the cultural and commercial value of sport. Offering a full suite of services, its services span live and venue experiences; premium content and archive monetisation; media, distribution and creator strategies; brand activation and commercial partnerships; and consulting and IP-development. While contributing to the Banijay Sports operation, Balich Wonder Studio resides under Banijay Live, which was launched in line with the company’s acquisition in 2023. Most recently it grew its portfolio with immersive live experience specialists Banijay Live Studio, behind THE BLACK MIRROR EXPERIENCE ®, and LOTCHI, creator of Luminiscence.