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

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

Attorney General Skrmetti and a 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 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. 

"Live Nation and Ticketmaster have ripped off consumers for decades. Thanks to a relentless bipartisan coalition of states, they're finally being held accountable," said Attorney General Skrmetti. "A jury determined that Live Nation and Ticketmaster are an illegal monopoly. Next up, the judge will decide the appropriate remedies, and a breakup is absolutely on the table. It's been over 40 years since an antitrust case resulted in breaking up a company, and I think we're due."

In May 2024, Attorney General Skrmetti, a coalition of 40 other 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 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 controls 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, Attorney General Skrmetti and the coalition will argue for remedies and financial penalties at a separate bench trial.