NEW YORK — A federal jury has found Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws, siding with New York Attorney General Letitia James and a multistate coalition in a closely watched case over competition in the live entertainment industry.
The verdict follows a five-week trial and concludes that the companies unlawfully maintained monopoly power, limiting competition and driving up costs for concertgoers, artists and venues nationwide.
According to the attorney general’s office, the jury determined that Ticketmaster holds an illegal monopoly over ticketing services at major concert venues, while Live Nation dominates the market for large amphitheaters and ties its venue access to use of its promotion services.
Officials said the findings confirm long-standing concerns that the companies’ control across multiple parts of the live event business has allowed them to inflate prices and block competitors from entering the market.
The case stems from a 2024 lawsuit filed by James, the U.S. Department of Justice and dozens of other states. While federal officials reached a settlement with Live Nation earlier this year, New York and a coalition of states continued the case through trial.
The jury also found that fans were overcharged for tickets, with New Yorkers paying an average of $1.72 more per ticket due to higher fees tied to the companies’ practices.
With liability established, the case will now move to a separate phase where the court will determine penalties and potential remedies.
James called the verdict a major win for consumers, saying it holds powerful corporations accountable for practices that have impacted ticket prices and access across the country.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].