Federal jury finds Live Nation operates as monopoly

A federal jury has determined that Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, operates as a monopoly in violation of antitrust laws. The jury found that Live Nation violated both federal and state competition rules. The decision comes after years of complaints from concertgoers about high fees and limited ticket purchasing options through the dominant ticketing platform. What happens next remains uncertain. The judge presiding over the case has not yet decided what remedies to impose. Possible actions could include requiring Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster or pay monetary damages, though the exact amounts have not been set. Live Nation indicated it plans to appeal the decision. In a statement, the company noted that other motions are still pending and said, “Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions.” The case originated with a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and a coalition of state and district attorneys general in 2024. While the DOJ reached a settlement with Live Nation last month, other parties continued pursuing the litigation. Separately, the Federal Trade Commission is examining whether Live Nation colluded with ticket resellers, adding another layer of regulatory scrutiny to the company’s business practices.