A federal jury in New York has found Live Nation, the world's largest live entertainment company, and its subsidiary Ticketmaster guilty of operating an illegal monopoly and overcharging consumers for concert tickets, in a verdict that could reshape the American live music industry. The jury reached its decision after four days of deliberations, concluding a high-profile antitrust trial brought by prosecutors from more than thirty US states.
The case, originally filed by the Biden administration's Department of Justice in 2024, alleged that Live Nation used its combined control of ticketing platforms, concert venues and artist promotion to squeeze out rivals, force artists into unfavourable deals and drive up prices for ordinary fans. Among the most striking pieces of evidence was a recorded phone call in which Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino appeared to warn Barclays Center, a major arena in Brooklyn, New York, that choosing a rival ticketing provider could make it harder for the company to route big-name artists to the venue. The prosecution argued the company held roughly 86 percent of the major ticketing market — a figure Live Nation contested, putting its own estimate at around 44 percent.
The jury found that Ticketmaster had overcharged venue-goers by an average of $1.72 per ticket over a period of several years. The presiding judge, Arun Subramanian, now has the power to order refunds to consumers, impose fines, or even force a structural break-up of the company — which would give smaller concert promoters room to compete and could push ticket prices down. The verdict also represents a rebuke of a $280 million settlement that the Trump administration's Department of Justice reached with Live Nation last month; that deal, struck without the judge's knowledge, drew his open anger, and the coalition of states pressed on regardless.
Live Nation, which is also active in Europe through dozens of concert venues and subsidiaries — including Mojo Concerts in the Netherlands — has consistently denied being a monopoly, insisting it competes aggressively in a crowded entertainment market that includes sports clubs and other event promoters. The company's shares fell roughly 6 percent following the verdict. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, speaking for the state coalition, said he was