Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $110.0 million, or 65.6%, to $277.8 million, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by increased revenue at UFC partially offset by the increase in direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Events, Experiences & Rights
The following table sets forth our Events, Experiences & Rights segment results for three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
Revenue | | $ | 528,672 | | | $ | 119,834 | | | $ | 1,068,282 | | | $ | 788,610 | |
Direct operating costs | | $ | 389,533 | | | $ | 93,254 | | | $ | 811,069 | | | $ | 606,998 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | $ | 112,803 | | | $ | 88,237 | | | $ | 213,074 | | | $ | 199,108 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 36,800 | | | $ | (42,655 | ) | | $ | 75,850 | | | $ | 26,468 | |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | | | 7.0 | % | | | -35.6 | % | | | 7.1 | % | | | 3.4 | % |
Three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to three months ended June 30, 2020
Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $408.8 million, or 341.2%, to $528.7 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020. Media rights fees increased $265 million primarily due to the return to a full schedule of European soccer matches in 2021 and the impact of COVID-19 on the 2019/2020 season, which resulted in matches for most leagues rescheduled to the second half of 2020. Media production revenue increased $55 million due to the return to a full schedule of events in 2021 as compared to the impact of COVID-19 on event schedules in 2020, including coverage of the English Premier League, which was partially rescheduled to the second half of 2020, and golf and tennis events which were cancelled. In addition, event and performance revenues increased $89 million attributable to events returning in 2021, including HSBC Women’s World Championship, Honda LPGA, ANA Inspiration, Miami Open, Frieze NY and Miss Universe pageant that were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, as well as the return of IMG Academy summer camps at full capacity, which were cancelled or had attendance restrictions in 2020.
Direct operating costs for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $296.3 million, or 317.7%, to $389.5 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020. Media rights expenses, media production expenses, live event and performance costs increased $218 million, $38 million and $41 million, respectively, due to the increases in revenue as described above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $24.6 million, or 27.8%, to $112.8 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by increased cost of personnel as the business recovers from the impact of COVID-19.
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $79.5 million, or 186.3%, to $36.8 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by the growth in revenue partially offset by the increase in related direct operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses and a decrease in insurance recoveries related to cancelled events.
Six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to six months ended June 30, 2020
Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $279.7 million, or 35.5%, to $1,068.3 million, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020. Media rights fees increased $371 million primarily driven by the impact of COVID-19 on both the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 soccer seasons in Europe, which resulted in reduced matches for most leagues in the first half of 2020, and an increased schedule of matches in the second half of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. Media Production revenue increased $64 million due to the return to a largely full schedule of events in 2021 as compared to the impact of COVID-19 on event schedules in 2020, including coverage of the English Premier League which was partially rescheduled to the second half of 2020, and golf and tennis events which were cancelled. Event and performance revenue decreased $155 million due primarily to attendance restrictions at the 2021 Super Bowl, as well as the cancellation of certain events in 2021 due to COVID-19 that were held in the prior year, including Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Frieze LA and Rio Open. This decrease was partially offset by certain events taking place in 2021 which were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, including the Miami Open, HSBC Women’s World Championship, Honda LPGA, ANA Inspiration, Frieze NY and Miss Universe pageant, as well as all summer camps taking place at the IMG Academy at full capacity in 2021 that were cancelled or had attendance restrictions in 2020.
Direct operating costs for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $204.1 million, or 33.6%, to $811.1 million, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020. Media rights expenses and media production expenses increased $328 million and $47 million, respectively, partially offset by a reduction in live event and performance costs of $171 million due to the changes in revenue as described above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $14.0 million, or 7.0%, to $213.1 million, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by increased cost of personnel as the business recovers from the impact of COVID-19.
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