Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized big concert venues, jury rules
The lawsuit involved dozens of states that alleged Live Nation undermined competition and drove up ticket prices.
Updated on: April 15, 2026 / 4:30 PM EDT / CBS News
A New York jury ruled on Wednesday that Live Nation operated as an illegal monopoly, handing dozens of states an important legal win against the ticketing giant.
The states in the civil case accused Live Nation of stifling competition, limiting consumer choice and driving up ticket prices.
Live Nation reached a deal with the Department of Justice last month to pay $280 million to states that sued the company over its practices. However, a contingent of states vowed to move forward with litigation in what Attorney General Letitia James of New York said was an effort to "restore fair competition to the live entertainment industry."
As part of the March agreement with the Justice Department, Ticketmaster was required to sell at least 13 of its amphitheaters and enable third parties to use its technology system to sell tickets. Live Nation is the parent company of Ticketmaster.
Live Nation Entertainment owns or has an equity interest in hundreds of venues, which it also operates and controls bookings for.