Ticketing giant found liable

A federal jury in Manhattan found on April 15 that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized major parts of the concert business. (ag.ny.gov) The verdict came in a case led by 33 states and the District of Columbia after a five-week trial that began on March 2 in the Southern District of New York. Jurors found Ticketmaster monopolized primary ticketing at major concert venues and Live Nation monopolized the market for large amphitheaters used by artists. (ag.ny.gov; paulweiss.com) Jurors also found Live Nation illegally tied use of its amphitheaters to its concert promotion services, and New York Attorney General Letitia James said New Yorkers were overcharged $1.72 per ticket in higher fees. The judge has not yet imposed a remedy, but the states had sought to force a divestiture of Ticketmaster. (ag.ny.gov; paulweiss.com) The case grew out of a broader antitrust suit filed on May 23, 2024, when the U.S. Department of Justice and states accused Live Nation of controlling venue ownership, promotion and ticketing in ways that shut out rivals. Judge Arun Subramanian let the core monopoly and tying claims go to trial in February 2026. (justice.gov; paulweiss.com) At trial, the states argued Live Nation threatened venues with fewer shows if they did not use Ticketmaster and retaliated against venues that signed with rival ticketing companies. Paul, Weiss, summarizing the record, said plaintiffs also pointed to Live Nation’s ownership or control of 60 of the top 100 U.S. amphitheaters and Ticketmaster’s 80%-plus share of primary ticketing at major concert venues. (paulweiss.com) The verdict landed after the Justice Department cut a separate settlement with Live Nation on March 9, 2026, without requiring Ticketmaster to be sold. The coalition of states rejected that deal and kept trying the case on their own. (pbs.org; ag.ny.gov) Live Nation said the verdict “is not the last word on this matter” and said pending motions and any later appeal could still change the outcome. The company said it will renew its motion for judgment as a matter of law and challenge the damages ruling. (newsroom.livenation.com) The ruling applies only in the United States, but Canadian ticketing executives told Billboard Canada they expect it to become a blueprint for scrutiny north of the border, where Live Nation and Ticketmaster also hold a large share of live music and ticketing. Showpass chief executive Lucas McCarthy said the verdict was “a step in a good direction,” while Tixr executives said it could prompt similar attention from Canadian authorities. (ca.billboard.com) What changes first now is not ticket prices at the box office but the legal leverage around them. The jury has already found the conduct illegal; the next fight is over whether that finding leads to structural changes in how concerts are promoted, venues are booked and tickets are sold. (ag.ny.gov; newsroom.livenation.com)