Summary:
A jury has found Live Nation liable for monopolizing the live entertainment and ticketing industry, following a lawsuit led by Washington and a bipartisan coalition of states. The company was found to have unlawfully maintained a monopoly in concert promotion and ticketing markets and used exclusionary practices to block competitors. The ruling could have significant implications for concertgoers, who have faced rising ticket prices and fees in recent years. The case now moves into a second phase, where a court will determine what penalties or structural changes could be imposed on the company.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and a bipartisan coalition of states have won a major antitrust verdict against Live Nation, with a jury finding the company liable for monopolizing the live entertainment and ticketing industry.
The decision follows a 2024 lawsuit led in part by Washington, alleging that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster used their market dominance to limit competition and drive up costs. The ruling could have significant implications for Washington concertgoers, who have faced rising ticket prices and fees in recent years.
A jury found in favor of the states on all counts, concluding that Live Nation unlawfully maintained a monopoly in concert promotion and ticketing markets and used exclusionary practices to block competitors. Jurors also found the company illegally tied venues to its concert promotion services.
“We’ve argued for years that Ticketmaster owner Live Nation has a monopoly that harms consumers, venues, artists, and competition. Today, a jury agreed with us and has found Live Nation fully liable for its illegal conduct,” Brown said. “I am proud of state enforcers across the country who stood firm in rejecting the federal government’s inadequate settlement and pressing forward to win this landmark victory for competition and the rule of law.”
The case now moves into a second phase, where a court will determine what penalties or structural changes could be imposed on the company.
Washington and other states chose to continue the case after the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement with Live Nation during the trial. State officials said that agreement did not go far enough to address the company’s conduct or restore competition.
“The case against Live Nation is strong, and the state coalition is committed to holding the company accountable for its illegal behavior, protecting consumers, and restoring competition to this market,” Brown said in an earlier statement. “The settlement recently announced does not adequately remedy the harms to the marketplace for live music and to concertgoers caused by Live Nation. We are willing and able to stand with other partner states to continue litigating this case without the federal government so that we can hold Live Nation accountable in court and secure appropriate relief in this case.”
Live Nation merged with Ticketmaster in 2010 and has since expanded its control across the live entertainment industry. According to the lawsuit, the company used long-term contracts with venues to require use of Ticketmaster, limiting competition and contributing to higher fees for consumers.
The multistate coalition included attorneys general from across the country, including Oregon, California, New York and Texas.