Jury Rules Ticketmaster is Illegal Monopoly

Verdict leaves live entertainment giant open to potential breakup, despite DOJ settlement.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:09pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph showing a cracked, shattered ticket stub lying on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the collapse of Ticketmaster's monopolistic control over the live entertainment industry.The jury's ruling against Ticketmaster's monopolistic practices could signal a major shift in the live entertainment industry.Brooklyn Today

A Manhattan jury has ruled that Live Nation-Ticketmaster is an illegal monopolist, according to Bloomberg. The verdict comes after a six-week trial involving over 30 state attorneys general who continued litigation against the company even after the Department of Justice settled its own claims. The jury's decision leaves the live entertainment giant open to potential remedies such as a breakup, though the judge could opt for lesser measures, and any outcome will likely be appealed.

Why it matters

The ruling represents a major blow to Ticketmaster's dominance in the live entertainment industry, which has long faced criticism for its anti-competitive practices and high fees. The case highlights ongoing antitrust concerns around consolidation in the sector and the challenges of reining in powerful tech-enabled platforms.

The details

The trial featured testimony from Live Nation executives, artists and their staff, rivals like SeatGeek, and concert venue executives. The states argued that Live Nation used implicit threats to force venues to use its ticketing services, and that its control over outdoor amphitheaters made it impossible for artists to tour the US without going through the company. Live Nation countered that it offers superior service recognized by some customers.

  • The trial spanned about six weeks, including a one-week break where the states went back to the negotiation table after the DOJ settled its claims with the company.
  • The verdict was reached by the Manhattan jury after several days of deliberation.

The players

Live Nation-Ticketmaster

The live entertainment giant that was ruled an illegal monopolist by the jury.

Department of Justice

The federal agency that initially settled its claims against Live Nation-Ticketmaster, but left more than 30 states to continue the litigation.

Michael Rapino

The CEO of Live Nation who testified during the trial.

Ben Lovett

A member of the band Mumford & Sons who testified during the trial.

Adel Nur

The manager for the artist Drake who testified during the trial.

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What’s next

Judge Arun Subramanian could opt for lesser remedies than a breakup, and any outcome will likely be the subject of appeals.

The takeaway

This ruling represents a major victory for antitrust advocates who have long argued that Ticketmaster's dominance in the live entertainment industry has led to higher prices and less choice for consumers. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of reining in powerful tech-enabled platforms and the importance of robust antitrust enforcement, even in the face of initial government settlements.