To understand the government’s case and what’s at stake, it is important to trace the history between the Antitrust Division, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, artists, venues, promoters, and fans across the last three presidential administrations.
The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division and 30 State Attorneys General filed sprawling antitrust charges against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on May 23, 2024. The lawsuit alleges more than 25 violations of federal and state antitrust laws through a multi-decade scheme to monopolize and unreasonably restrain trade in three interlinked markets: (1) large venues, (2) concert promotion, and (3) ticketing services. Headlining the government’s case is its request for a court order to break up the entertainment giant. In a rare move, the suit also demands a “trial by jury” on as many issues as possible.
