Jury finds in favor of Virginia, state coalition in Live Nation trial

A federal jury on Wednesday found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws by engaging in anticompetitive conduct, operating as a monopoly in the live entertainment industry.

The decision hands a courtroom victory to a bipartisan coalition of 34 attorneys general, including Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, that continued litigation against Live Nation despite the company reaching a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice last month.

“[The] verdict is a huge win for Virginia’s vibrant live music and entertainment venues and for the loyal consumers who purchase tickets,” Jones said in a statement. “I am proud of the dedicated attorneys and staff of the Virginia [Office of the Attorney General], and in partner states across the nation, who worked tirelessly to ensure that Live Nation and Ticketmaster can no longer pad their pockets on the backs of hardworking consumers.”

The Department of Justice, along with 41 states, sued Live Nation in 2024, alleging that it raised costs for fans and artists and suppressed competition due to its control over the live event business. This control, the plaintiffs claimed, includes its ownership of Ticketmaster, through which it allegedly had control of ticketing services, in addition to venue ownership and event promotion.

During trial, Live Nation and the federal government reached a settlement, which was rejected by 34 of the 40 state plaintiffs. Under the reported terms of the settlement, Live Nation agreed to change its ticketing deals to allow venues to use multiple ticket vendors, and the settlement required Live Nation to permit touring artists to use other promoters.

The trial lasted seven weeks, with the jury deliberating for four days before returning a verdict in favor of the state coalition.

According to a news release from Jones’ office, the jury determined Live Nation and Ticketmaster engaged in anticompetitive conduct, with Ticketmaster maintaining a monopoly in the market for ticketing services at major concert venues. The jury also determined that Live Nation holds a monopoly “in the market for large amphitheaters used by artists and that Live Nation requires artists who use the amphitheaters it owns to also use its event promotion services,” according to Jones’ office.

The coalition argued that these antitrust violations resulted in fans being overcharged for tickets at major concert venues, which the jury determined occurred by $1.72 per ticket.

Remedies and financial penalties in the matter will be argued at a separate bench trial, according to Jones.

In a statement Thursday, Live Nation said: “The jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter. Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand. … Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions.”