Ticketmaster Parent Live Nation Reaches Antitrust Settlement with DOJ

Judge expresses anger over late notification of tentative deal

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement in its antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment. However, the judge overseeing the case expressed outrage that he was not informed of the tentative deal until late Sunday, even though a term sheet was signed on Thursday. Some states may still continue the trial on their own.

Why it matters

The case accused Live Nation of using anti-competitive tactics to maintain a monopoly over the live music industry, including threatening venues and blocking them from using rival ticketing services. The settlement could have major implications for concert ticket prices and consumer choice.

The details

The Justice Department alleged that Live Nation engaged in a range of practices to 'suffocate the competition,' such as using long-term contracts to keep venues from choosing rival ticketers, blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers, and threatening venues that they could lose money and fans if they don't choose Ticketmaster. Live Nation has maintained that artists and teams set prices and decide how tickets are sold.

  • The antitrust lawsuit was brought by the Biden administration in 2024.
  • A term sheet for a possible settlement was signed on Thursday, March 6, 2026.
  • The Justice Department announced the tentative settlement on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the start of the trial in federal court in Manhattan.

The players

Live Nation Entertainment

A Beverly Hills, California-based entertainment company that owns Ticketmaster and has been accused of anti-competitive practices in the live music industry.

Judge Arun Subramanian

The federal judge overseeing the antitrust trial against Live Nation, who expressed outrage at not being informed of the tentative settlement until late Sunday.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that brought the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

Adam Gitlin

A lawyer for the District of Columbia, who said the states were requesting a mistrial.

David Marriott

A lawyer for Live Nation, who said the company opposed a mistrial and believed the trial should proceed.

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What they’re saying

“It's entirely unacceptable.”

— Judge Arun Subramanian, Federal Judge

“The states were requesting a mistrial, although the state of Texas had expressed 'serious concerns' about the deal between the US and Live Nation and states have not yet agreed to the deal.”

— Adam Gitlin, Lawyer for the District of Columbia

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the tentative settlement to proceed or grant a mistrial, as requested by some states.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between the government's efforts to promote competition and the dominance of major players like Live Nation and Ticketmaster in the live entertainment industry. The outcome could have significant implications for concert ticket prices and consumer choice.