Jury Finds Live Nation, Ticketmaster Owner, Operated as Monopoly

A federal jury has concluded that Live Nation, the entertainment giant that owns Ticketmaster, has been operating illegally as a monopoly. The verdict followed four days of deliberations in a trial that could have a major impact on the music industry across the United States.

The concert venue and music festival owner could face significant changes, potentially being forced to divest parts of its business or even split from Ticketmaster. This outcome was previously called for by former Attorney General Merrick Garland when the lawsuit was filed in May 2024. The US Department of Justice's legal action asserted that Live Nation's business practices had effectively kept out competitors, resulting in higher ticket prices and worse service for customers nationwide.