A jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally eliminated competition, hurting fans, artists and competing venues.
Source: N.M. Department of Justice
Albuquerque, NM – This afternoon, Attorney General Raúl Torrez and a coalition of 33 other attorneys general won a landmark victory in their lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster after a New York jury found that the companies violated federal and state antitrust laws by eliminating competition and driving up costs for fans, artists and venues across the country – essentially acting as an illegal monopoly. The presiding judge will determine the remedies at a future date to be determined.
“Today’s verdict is a major win for American consumers and a clear validation of what we’ve been saying all along: people are fed up with powerful corporations rigging the system in their favor,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “Live Nation and Ticketmaster used their dominance to squeeze out competition and drive-up prices, and everyday fans, artists, and venues paid the price. This case shows that no company, no matter how large, is above the law. We will continue fighting to ensure fair markets, protect consumers, and hold corporations accountable when they abuse their power.”
Following the nearly six-week trial, the New York jury deliberated for four days and 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 owns 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.
The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) joined the civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster in August 2024 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, which began on March 2, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement with Live Nation, which Attorney General Torrez and the coalition of 33 states rejected, choosing to continue litigation.
A copy of the original complaint can be found HERE.
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