Mass. AG Rejects 'Inadequate' Ticketmaster Settlement

Andrea Joy Campbell says DOJ deal fails to protect consumers, artists, and venues from Live Nation's anticompetitive practices.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has rejected a tentative settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster. Campbell says the DOJ's $5 million penalty is too small for a company that reported $25.2 billion in revenue in 2025, and the agreement would still allow Live Nation to retain a compliance monitor and enter into exclusive contracts for up to four years.

Why it matters

The DOJ lawsuit alleged that Live Nation's anticompetitive conduct, including forcing venues to use Ticketmaster and strategically acquiring venues, has stifled innovation and harmed consumers. Campbell and other state AGs are continuing their own litigation against Live Nation, seeking a complete divestiture of Ticketmaster to restore competition in the live events industry.

The details

The DOJ announced a settlement with Live Nation on Monday to resolve its antitrust lawsuit. However, Campbell's office says the deal is "wholly inadequate" and fails to adequately protect consumers, artists, and venues. The AG's office detailed five key ways the settlement falls short, including the small penalty amount, allowing Live Nation to retain an ineffective compliance monitor, permitting exclusive contracts up to four years, not giving venues a path to terminate Ticketmaster contracts, and not addressing the harms of Live Nation's Ticketmaster ownership.

  • The DOJ lawsuit against Live Nation was filed in May 2024.
  • The tentative settlement was announced by the DOJ on March 10, 2026.

The players

Andrea Joy Campbell

The Attorney General of Massachusetts who is rejecting the DOJ's settlement with Live Nation as "wholly inadequate" and continuing the state's own litigation against the company.

Live Nation Entertainment

The parent company of Ticketmaster that was sued by the DOJ and state AGs for anticompetitive conduct, including forcing venues to use Ticketmaster and strategically acquiring venues to eliminate competition.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation in 2024 and has now reached a tentative settlement with the company, which Massachusetts AG Campbell is rejecting as insufficient.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The DOJ's settlement falls far short of protecting consumers, artists, and venues from the harms that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have caused.”

— Andrea Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (nbcboston.com)

“As Attorney General, my job is to uphold the law and protect Massachusetts residents from companies that rig the market against consumers. That's why I'll continue to pursue litigation against Live Nation and keep fighting to protect consumers, restore competition, and hold Live Nation accountable for its illegal behavior.”

— Andrea Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Campbell said she will have the backing of attorneys general from 26 other states and jurisdictions as she continues the state's lawsuit against Live Nation, advocating for the complete divestiture of Ticketmaster.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle between state and federal regulators over how to address the anticompetitive practices of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which have long dominated the live events industry. The Massachusetts AG's rejection of the DOJ's settlement signals a continued push for more aggressive action to restore competition and protect consumers.