Jury Finds Live Nation, Ticketmaster Illegally Monopolized Ticketing

Rose Bowl Concerts Run Through Both Companies

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:52am

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A close-up photograph of a cracked and shattered concert ticket on a plain white background, conveying the abstract concepts of corporate monopoly and consumer exploitation in the live music industry.A shattered concert ticket symbolizes the breakdown of fair competition in the live music industry.Pasadena Today

A federal jury in Manhattan found Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster illegally monopolized the U.S. concert ticketing and large amphitheater markets, with direct implications for Pasadena where the companies promote and sell tickets for Rose Bowl concerts.

Why it matters

This verdict is a significant win for consumers, artists, and venues that have long accused Live Nation and Ticketmaster of abusing their market dominance to inflate ticket prices. It could lead to major changes in how the live music industry operates, especially for high-profile venues like the Rose Bowl.

The details

The jury found consumers were overcharged $1.72 per ticket at major concert venues across 22 states and the District of Columbia from May 2020 through 2024. Live Nation has promoted recent Rose Bowl concerts including Oasis and AC/DC, and the Pasadena City Council approved a six-concert Live Nation deal for the Rose Bowl in February 2026, just weeks before the antitrust trial began.

  • On April 16, 2026, a federal jury in Manhattan found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on all monopolization counts.
  • The trial ran approximately 5-7 weeks before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.
  • On February 9, 2026, the Pasadena City Council approved a six-concert Live Nation deal for the Rose Bowl in 2027.

The players

Live Nation Entertainment

A Beverly Hills-based company that promotes concerts, including recent shows at the Rose Bowl.

Ticketmaster

A subsidiary of Live Nation that sells tickets for concerts, including those at the Rose Bowl.

Pasadena City Council

The governing body of Pasadena, California that approved a six-concert Live Nation deal for the Rose Bowl in 2027.

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who said the verdict is a 'historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them.'

Arun Subramanian

The U.S. District Judge who presided over the antitrust trial.

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What’s next

Judge Subramanian will conduct a separate bench trial to determine remedies, which could include financial damages and orders to divest concert venues or Ticketmaster itself.

The takeaway

This verdict is a major blow to Live Nation and Ticketmaster's dominance of the live music industry, and could lead to significant changes in how concerts are promoted and tickets are sold, especially for high-profile venues like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.