A U.S. jury concludes that Live Nation and Ticketmaster are monopolistic

A federal jury in the United States found that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster operate as a monopoly in the sale of tickets for live events. Bringing to a close a trial that lasted about five weeks in New York.

The guilty verdict comes after the Department of Justice signed a settlement agreement with Live Nation midway through the trial. The proceedings continued nonetheless because dozens of states were part of the lawsuit.

The DOJ and some 40 state attorneys general initially filed an antitrust civil lawsuit in New York in 2024. Alleging “monopolization and other illegal conduct that frustrates competition in the markets,” and sought to break up the companies.

Ticketmaster must pay $280 million, sell its venue ownership stakes, change its exclusive ticketing agreements, and cap commissions at 15% as part of the DOJ and Live Nation agreement. Which was signed by a number of state attorneys general and needs to be approved by a judge.

Nevertheless, 34 state attorneys general—including prominent ones like New York, California, and Texas—filed charges in the case. Claiming that the businesses were running a monopoly and were to blame for price increases in the live music sector.