US Jury Finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster Operated Illegal Monopoly

A US federal jury has found that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary operated an illegal monopoly in the live event ticketing market.

The verdict, delivered after four days of deliberations, concluded that the companies violated federal and state antitrust laws by abusing their dominant market position from 2020 to 2024.

The jury determined that Live Nation and Ticketmaster engaged in anti-competitive conduct that harmed the music industry and consumers, including overcharging customers by $1.72 per ticket.

The case was brought by a coalition of US states and the Department of Justice under the Biden administration in May 2024.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta described the verdict as a "historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them." He highlighted the coalition of states from across the political spectrum that united to challenge the companies' practices.

The jury's findings could lead to remedies including breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster to restore competition and imposing conditions to prevent future abuse of market power.

This ruling is significant as Live Nation and Ticketmaster collectively control a vast share of the live entertainment market in the United States.

In 2025, Live Nation organised over 55,000 events worldwide and held stakes in 460 venues.

Ticketmaster is the leading ticket seller globally, controlling 86% of the concert ticket market and 73% when including sports events.

The lawsuit accused Live Nation of using its market power to pressure artists and venues into exclusive agreements, stifling competition and imposing excessive fees on consumers.

The companies denied monopoly claims, arguing that pricing and ticketing decisions are made by artists, sports teams, and venues.

US District Judge Arun Subramaniam will determine the monetary damages and any conditions to prevent further anti-competitive conduct.

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