Live Nation, Ticketmaster Found Liable for Antitrust Violations

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Attorney General Clark and Coalition of States Win Trial Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

Category Press Releases April 15, 2026 Jury Finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster Illegally Eliminated Competition, Hurting Fans, Artists, and Competing Venues

Attorney General Charity Clark and a bipartisan coalition of 33 other attorneys general today won their lawsuit against Live Nation after a jury found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated federal and state antitrust laws by eliminating competition and driving up costs for fans, artists, and venues across the country. After a five-week trial, the jury found that the coalition successfully proved that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have unlawfully maintained and abused their monopoly power that prevents other ticketing services, venue owners, and concert promoters from successfully competing. As a result, fans are charged higher prices for tickets.

“The jury’s verdict is a win for consumers and for the marketplace,” said Attorney General Charity Clark. “I look forward to the next phase of this lawsuit, which will determine Live Nation’s financial penalties and other consumer remedies.”

In 2024, a coalition of states and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Live Nation, alleging that its control over almost every aspect of the live event business – from venue ownership to event promotion to ticketing services through Ticketmaster – allowed it to raise costs for both fans and artists and to suppress competition. During the trial that began on March 2, 2026, DOJ reached a settlement with Live Nation, which Vermont and the coalition of 33 states rejected, choosing to continue litigation.

The jury today found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for violating federal and state laws by engaging in anticompetitive conduct. The jury found that Ticketmaster unlawfully maintains a monopoly in the market for ticketing services at major concert venues. The jury also found that Live Nation has a monopoly in the market for large amphitheaters used by artists and that Live Nation unlawfully requires artists who use the amphitheaters it owns to also use its event promotion services. In addition, the jury determined that fans have been overcharged for concert tickets at major concert venues across the country.

Having successfully proven their case on liability to the jury, the coalition will argue for remedies and financial penalties at a separate bench trial.

CONTACT:     Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171