Jury Finds Ticketmaster Ran Illegal Monopoly, Slams Trump DOJ

Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and other Democrats celebrate the verdict as a 'huge win' for music fans and concertgoers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:53am

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A photorealistic studio still-life image featuring a cracked and shattered ticket stub lying on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the collapse of Ticketmaster's monopolistic control over the live event ticketing industry.The Ticketmaster verdict exposes the company's exploitative practices and marks a win for music fans and concertgoers seeking more affordable and accessible live events.Manhattan Today

A federal jury in Manhattan has concluded that Ticketmaster overcharged consumers by about $1.72 per ticket across 22 states, finding the company ran an illegal monopoly. The case was initially brought by the Justice Department under the Biden administration, after the Trump DOJ had previously settled on weaker claims that did not require breaking up Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster. Democrats like Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar are hailing the verdict as a major victory for consumers and a rebuke of the Trump administration's lax antitrust enforcement.

Why it matters

The Ticketmaster verdict is a significant win for consumer advocates who have long criticized the company's dominance of the live event ticketing market. It could lead to meaningful remedies, including potential divestitures, that could lower prices and increase competition in the industry. The case also highlights the stark differences in antitrust enforcement between the Trump and Biden administrations.

The details

A Manhattan federal jury on Wednesday concluded that Ticketmaster overcharged consumers by about $1.72 per ticket across 22 states, finding the company leveraged its control over venues, promotion and ticketing to block rivals and maintain its grip on the market. The case now moves to a remedies phase, where the court could impose penalties or even force divestitures, including venue sales. Live Nation Entertainment, Ticketmaster's parent company, argued its success stemmed from efficiency and that artists ultimately set ticket prices.

  • The case was initially brought by the Justice Department under the Joe Biden administration.
  • During the trial, the Donald Trump administration settled on federal claims that did not require breaking up Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster.

The players

Elizabeth Warren

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who has been a vocal critic of Ticketmaster's dominance and the Trump administration's lax antitrust enforcement.

Amy Klobuchar

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Minnesota who also celebrated the verdict as a win for consumers and urged meaningful remedies to lower prices.

Summer Lee

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania who accused Ticketmaster and Live Nation of exploiting their dominance for years.

Live Nation Entertainment

The parent company of Ticketmaster, which argued its success stemmed from efficiency and that artists ultimately set ticket prices.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that initially brought the case against Ticketmaster and Live Nation under the Biden administration, after the Trump DOJ had previously settled on weaker claims.

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What they’re saying

“After the Trump DOJ gave the giant corporation a measly slap on the wrist, states fought back — and won. This is HUGE WIN for music fans and concertgoers everywhere.”

— Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator

“FINALLY. A jury says the truth about what nearly everyone in Washington keeps denying.”

— Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator

“This ruling marks a win for artists, fans and broader efforts to curb corporate abuse.”

— Summer Lee, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The case now moves to a remedies phase, where the court could impose penalties or even force divestitures, including venue sales.

The takeaway

The Ticketmaster verdict is a significant rebuke of the Trump administration's lax antitrust enforcement and a victory for consumer advocates who have long criticized the company's dominance of the live event ticketing market. It could lead to meaningful changes that lower prices and increase competition in the industry.