Pittsburgh Concert Promoter Calls Live Nation-Ticketmaster Monopoly Ruling a Victory for Fans

Federal jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster have crushed competition and gouged music lovers with skyrocketing ticket prices.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:42pm

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A bold, abstract composition of jagged black silhouettes and high-contrast red and white geometric shapes, conceptually representing the fight against the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly in the live music industry.The federal ruling against Live Nation and Ticketmaster's monopolistic grip on the live music industry could lead to a new era of competition and more affordable ticket prices for fans.Today in Pittsburgh

A federal jury has ruled that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster comprise an illegal monopoly that has stifled competition and resulted in exorbitant ticket prices for music fans. Independent Pittsburgh concert promoter Rich Engler, who has struggled to compete with Live Nation's control over venues and artists, says the ruling is a win for consumers and could lead to lower ticket costs if fans refuse to attend shows until prices are reduced.

Why it matters

The Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly has long been criticized for limiting consumer choice and driving up prices in the live music industry. This landmark legal decision could pave the way for greater competition and more affordable ticket prices for fans, especially in major markets like Pittsburgh where Live Nation has dominated the concert promotion landscape.

The details

The lawsuit, brought by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and 38 other states, alleged that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have used their market power to crush competition and gouge music fans. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence including text messages from a Live Nation employee calling customers "stupid" and saying the company was "robbing them blind." The jury ruled that the companies' control over artists, venues, and ticket sales constitutes an illegal monopoly.

  • The federal jury delivered its ruling on April 16, 2026.
  • The lawsuit was first filed several years ago by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and 38 other states.

The players

Rich Engler

An independent concert promoter in Pittsburgh who has struggled to compete with Live Nation's dominance of the local concert market.

Live Nation

A live entertainment company that owns and operates concert venues and promotes tours for major music artists, as well as its subsidiary Ticketmaster, which controls a large share of ticket sales.

Ticketmaster

A subsidiary of Live Nation that dominates the ticket sales market for live events in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Well, things are going to change over this lawsuit. Definitely to the good.”

— Rich Engler, Independent Concert Promoter

“They go, 'Rich, you help make our life. We really appreciate it, we love you, but we're taking the money.'”

— Rich Engler, Independent Concert Promoter

“Whatever they can get and whatever they can charge somebody somewhere will pay.”

— Rich Engler, Independent Concert Promoter

What’s next

The judge will now decide whether to break up the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly and require the companies to pay back fans for excessive ticket prices.

The takeaway

This landmark ruling against the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly could lead to more competition, lower ticket prices, and a better deal for music fans who have long been frustrated by the companies' control over the live events industry.