Jury Finds Ticketmaster Owners Guilty of Illegal Monopoly Over Concert Industry

A jury in New York has found that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary illegally monopolised the live music industry, overcharging fans and blocking out competition in a verdict that could cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially force it to sell off parts of its business.

The decision came after four days of deliberations at the end of a seven-week trial brought by more than 30 US states, which pressed ahead after the Trump administration settled its own claims against the company in March for $280 million. The jury found that Ticketmaster's anticompetitive practices resulted in customers in 22 states paying an extra $1.72 per ticket over several years, which will be used to calculate damages. Under US antitrust law, those damages could be tripled, meaning the total bill could run well above $150 million. The judge may also impose additional penalties and could order Live Nation to divest venues or other parts of its empire.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said: "We are incredibly proud of today's outcome — and especially proud of our coalition made up of red and blue states alike who understood we needed to come together to protect our consumers, businesses, and state economies from Live Nation's illegal conduct." New York Attorney General Letitia James called it "a landmark victory."

The trial offered an unusually detailed look inside a company that controls 86% of the concert ticketing market and 73% of the overall market when sports events are included. Last year Live Nation organised more than 55,000 concerts worldwide. CEO Michael Rapino testified about multiple controversies, including the 2022 Taylor Swift Eras Tour debacle. Internal messages shown to jurors included a Live Nation employee telling a colleague the company was "robbing them blind, baby" while calling customers "so stupid." The employee testified that the messages were "very immature and unacceptable."

Live Nation has rejected the outcome. "The jury's verdict is not the last word on this matter," the company said, adding that pending motions could alter both the liability and damages rulings. It estimated that the base damages figure would be below $150 million, arguing that the overcharge applied to a "limited number of tickets" representing about 20% of total sales.

The company maintained throughout the trial that it was not a monopoly and competed "fiercely" with rivals including sports teams and other venue operators. Its lawyer argued in closing: "Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States."

Morgan Harper of the American Economic Liberties Project called the verdict "a historic victory for fans, artists, concert promoters and venue owners who have suffered for decades under the thumb of Ticketmaster's monopoly." Antitrust professor John Kwoka of Northwestern University said it sent a message to other industries: "This shows that it is possible to conduct a focused trial that convinces a court of various anticompetitive acts."

The Department of Justice had settled with Live Nation just as the trial began, a move criticised by a group of Democratic senators who wrote that the deal "fails to restore competition and protect fans, artists, and independent venues." They noted that credible evidence suggested Ticketmaster controlled more than 70% of major concert venues through exclusive contracts, and that Live Nation controlled 80% of major concert amphitheatres.

Live Nation also faced scrutiny in the UK over the Oasis reunion ticket sale. The Competition and Markets Authority investigated and secured commitments from Ticketmaster on pricing transparency. CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell warned: "If Ticketmaster fails to deliver on these changes, we won't hesitate to take further action."

The penalties phase of the US case is expected to involve further lengthy legal proceedings before a final judgment is issued.