Justice Dept. Seeks Live Nation Breakup Over Monopoly Claims

The U.S. Justice Department has urged a federal judge to order the breakup of Live Nation Entertainment Inc., asserting the company wields excessive control over the live events sector. This alleged dominance is partly attributed to practices that penalize venues for not utilizing its Ticketmaster ticketing services.

Venues reportedly forfeit substantial revenue, averaging over $300,000 per concert, if they switch from Ticketmaster to a competitor. The government's lawsuit, filed in 2024, highlights instances like New York's Barclays Center experiencing concert losses after changing ticketing providers.

Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster in 2010, vehemently denies operating an illegal monopoly. The company has requested the court dismiss the government's suit without a trial, which had been scheduled for March 2. The judge has not yet announced a ruling on this request.

The Justice Department contends Live Nation controls a significant portion of the concert ticketing market through Ticketmaster, approximately 87%, and holds over 65% of the concert promotion market. Live Nation also manages a vast network of concert venues and artists.

Live Nation's defense argues the government's investigation yielded minimal evidence of concert withholding linked to venue ticketing choices over 15 years. They also dispute claims of artists earning less at Live Nation-owned venues, questioning the government's evidence of harm to customers.