Attorney General Schwalb Issues Statement Following Win in Live Nation Antitrust Lawsuit

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued the following statement after a jury found that Live Nation had illegally monopolized the live entertainment industry and concert ticketing services.

"Live Nation has raked in billions in profits from an illegal monopoly that coerces venues, restricts artists, and exploits fans. DC and a bipartisan coalition of 33 states refused to join the DOJ's settlement because it failed to adequately hold Live Nation accountable," said Attorney General Schwalb. "The District's live entertainment industry is critical to our local economy and culture, and this is a significant win in the fight for fairness for local venues, artists, and fans."

OAG's legal team had a leading role in getting the case to verdict and holding Live Nation accountable.

Background on Lawsuit
The District is home to more than 20 music venues of varying sizes, from Capital One Arena, which can fit more than 20,000 fans, to more intimate venues. Ticketmaster sales data for recent years show the District had far higher per capita Ticketmaster ticket sales than any state. Live Nation controls two of the most important parts of the live entertainment industry at District concert venues: ticketing and artists. Live Nation is the exclusive ticketer to nearly all sizable venues in DC. Live Nation is the dominant content provider to those venues because its monopoly of concert promotions means neither artists nor venues have comparable, competitive alternatives to Live Nation. That means for most shows at major concert venues in and around the District, Live Nation's misconduct results in fans paying more to see the show.

In May 2024, a bipartisan group of state attorneys general joined the U.S. Department of Justice to sue Live Nation for monopolizing the market for ticketing and using its monopoly power in the concert venue market to reinforce and protect that monopoly.

In March 2026, the Department of Justice entered into a settlement with Live Nation, but a bipartisan coalition of 33 Attorneys General argued that the settlement was inadequate and vowed to continue fighting to restore competition to the live entertainment industry.

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