Trending Now - Ticketmaster to Allow Competitors Following Antitrust Settlement

WHO:

Richard Grenell, a close adviser to Trump, was appointed to Live Nation's board of directors in May 2025.

Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. Senator from Minnesota, criticized the settlement terms and the process by which they were reached.

The Justice Department, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and over 30 state and district attorneys general were involved in the antitrust lawsuit.

Judge Arun Subramanian is overseeing the case.

Judge Arun Subramanian expressed anger over the settlement announcement, stating it was "entirely unacceptable."

Adam Gitlin, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, indicated that states were requesting a mistrial.

David Dahlquist, a Justice Department lawyer, stated, "This case is about power, the power of a monopolist to control competition."

Judge Arun Subramanian expressed anger over the settlement announcement, stating it was "entirely unacceptable."

Adam Gitlin, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, indicated that states were requesting a mistrial.

Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Department of Justice, Richard Grenell, David Dahlquist

President Donald Trump (related to Richard Grenell)

WHAT:

Live Nation will divest its 13 exclusive booking agreements with amphitheaters nationwide as part of the settlement.

Live Nation's President and CEO Michael Rapino stated, "Today marks a major step in improving the concert experience for artists and fans throughout the United States."

Live Nation will cap ticketing service fees at 15%.

The settlement includes an eight-year extension of the company's consent decree with the DOJ, which includes retaliation and conditioning terms.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that she and attorneys general from multiple states plan to continue the lawsuit against Live Nation, stating, "My attorney general colleagues and I have a strong case against Live Nation, and we will continue our lawsuit to protect consumers and restore fair competition to the live entertainment industry."

The states continuing the lawsuit include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

The settlement includes a four-year cap on Ticketmaster's exclusivity contracts with venues.

Seven out of nearly 40 states, plus Washington D.C., have agreed to settle, while others, including New York's Letitia James, plan to continue litigation against Live Nation.

The settlement includes Live Nation agreeing to change its ticketing practices, allowing venues to use multiple vendors.

Live Nation will also allow touring artists to use other promoters when performing in its amphitheaters.

The Justice Department announced that some states might continue a trial independently despite the settlement.

The settlement announcement brings an end to a two-year legal battle stemming from a lawsuit filed in 2024.

Live Nation will have to pay millions of dollars in damages as part of the settlement.

Live Nation agreed to change how it makes ticketing deals with venues, allowing those businesses to use multiple vendors to sell tickets.

The Justice Department announced a tentative settlement in their antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster on March 9th, 2026.

A term sheet for a possible settlement was signed on March 5th, 2026.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached a settlement with the Department of Justice over antitrust charges.

Live Nation agreed to pay $280 million in civil penalties to 40 states.

Live Nation will sell some of its amphitheaters as part of the settlement.

Ticketmaster must open its technology to allow other ticket sellers to use its platform.

WHERE:

New York (location of the antitrust trial)

Phoenix, Arizona (founded location of Ticketmaster)

WHEN:

The trial began on March 3rd, 2026, and the settlement announcement was made on March 9th, 2026.

The trial began on March 3rd, 2026, in federal court in Manhattan.

The antitrust trial began on March 3rd, 2026.

The lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster was filed in 2024.

The settlement announcement was made on March 9th, 2026.

WHY:

Klobuchar expressed concerns that the settlement would do "little to lower costs, preserve venues, or protect fans."

The lawsuit accused Live Nation of using threats and retaliation to control competition in the live events industry.

The lawsuit accused Live Nation of using threats, retaliation, and other tactics to "suffocate the competition" by controlling virtually every aspect of the industry.

The lawsuit accused Live Nation of using threats and retaliation to "suffocate the competition" in the live events industry.

The lawsuit alleged that Live Nation monopolized the ticketing and live events industry, undermining competition and harming consumers.

The scrutiny of the industry intensified in 2022 after Ticketmaster experienced glitches that blocked millions from purchasing tickets for Taylor Swift’s tour.

HOW:

Some state attorneys general filed a motion to declare a mistrial, stating they were "unaware of any substantive settlement discussions" until after the jury was selected and the trial began.

The Justice Department alleged that Live Nation used long-term contracts to prevent venues from choosing rival ticket sellers.

The Justice Department accused Live Nation of using long-term contracts to keep venues from choosing rival ticket sellers.

The Justice Department alleged that Live Nation used long-term contracts to prevent venues from choosing rival ticket sellers.

Live Nation was accused of cutting exclusive deals with major venues to ensure all events were ticketed through its platform.

The Justice Department sought to split up Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which merged in 2010, but the settlement did not include this measure.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 13:19 UTC)

Live Nation announced today that it will divest its 13 exclusive booking agreements with amphitheaters across the country as part of a settlement, which also includes capping ticketing service fees at 15%. President and CEO Michael Rapino emphasized that this marks a significant step toward enhancing the concert experience for both artists and fans in the U.S. Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed that she and a coalition of attorneys general from multiple states will continue their lawsuit against Live Nation, asserting they have a strong case to protect consumers and promote fair competition in the live entertainment industry.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 05:18 UTC)

In a significant development, seven states and Washington D.C. have agreed to a settlement with Live Nation that includes a four-year cap on Ticketmaster's exclusivity contracts with venues, although some states, including New York, plan to continue litigation. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar criticized the settlement terms, expressing concerns that it would do little to lower costs or protect fans, while some state attorneys general have filed a motion to declare a mistrial, claiming they were unaware of any substantive settlement discussions until after the trial began. Meanwhile, Richard Grenell, a close adviser to Trump, was appointed to Live Nation's board of directors last May.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 21:05 UTC)

Today, the Justice Department announced a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit involving Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and over 30 state and district attorneys general, with Judge Arun Subramanian overseeing the case. As part of the agreement, Live Nation will change its ticketing practices to allow venues to work with multiple vendors and will permit touring artists to use other promoters in its amphitheaters. However, some states may still pursue an independent trial despite the settlement, which follows the trial that began on March 3, 2026, and was announced today, March 9, 2026.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 19:17 UTC)

In a significant development today, Judge Arun Subramanian expressed anger over a settlement announcement in a two-year legal battle involving Live Nation, calling it "entirely unacceptable." The lawsuit, which accused Live Nation of using threats and retaliation to control competition, led to the company agreeing to pay millions in damages and change its ticketing practices to allow venues to work with multiple vendors. As the trial began on March 3 in federal court in Manhattan, Adam Gitlin, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, indicated that states were requesting a mistrial, while a Justice Department lawyer emphasized the case's focus on the monopolistic power at play.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 17:17 UTC)

Today, the Justice Department announced a tentative settlement in their antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which has drawn sharp criticism from Judge Arun Subramanian, who called the settlement "entirely unacceptable." Adam Gitlin, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, revealed that states are now requesting a mistrial following the announcement, which comes just days after a term sheet for the potential settlement was signed on March 5. The trial, which began on March 3, accused Live Nation of using threats and retaliation to stifle competition in the live events industry by enforcing long-term contracts that limited venues' choices for ticket sellers.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 15:14 UTC)

Today, Live Nation and Ticketmaster announced a settlement with the Department of Justice over antitrust charges, agreeing to pay $280 million in civil penalties to 40 states and sell some of their amphitheaters. As part of the settlement, Ticketmaster will also open its technology to allow other ticket sellers to use its platform, following scrutiny that intensified after glitches during Taylor Swift's tour ticket sales in 2022. This settlement comes after the antitrust trial began on March 3, 2026, and while the Justice Department sought to split up the two companies, that measure was not included in the agreement.