Live Nation and Ticketmaster Settles Its Antitrust Lawsuit With the DOJ
Live Nation and Ticketmaster settled their antitrust case with the Department of Justice on Monday (March 9), one week after the trial began in New York City.
They are paying out $300 million in fines without breaking up the merged companies. The settlement caps service fees at 15% of ticket prices at Live Nation amphitheaters, while also requiring the company to sell at least 13 of their venues – with that number likely to grow as more states sign on to the settlement.
Ticketmaster must also allow rival companies like SeatGeek and Eventbrite to list tickets on its platforms and limit venue exclusivity contracts to four years maximum. Live Nation will pay $200 million in damages to participating states, though some attorneys general oppose the deal. Twenty-four states plus Washington D.C. are continuing the lawsuit saying junk fees are still unlawful, ticket prices are too high and artists need more say about where they perform.
The DOJ and 38 state attorneys general originally sued Live Nation in May 2024, alleging illegal monopolistic practices in concert promotion and ticketing.