The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to sue Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, for alleged antitrust violations. The DOJ’s investigation, which began in 2022, focuses on whether Live Nation maintains a monopoly in the ticketing industry, thereby stifling competition. The merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2010 created a dominant entity in the live event ticketing market, controlling over 80% of primary ticket sales in the U.S.
The lawsuit expects to argue that Live Nation pressures venues into exclusive Ticketmaster agreements, limiting competition. From concert promotion to ticketing, artist management, venue ownership, and even concessions, Live Nation has their fingers in every pie. This has resulted in widespread consumer complaints about high ticket prices, excessive fees, and poor service, highlighted by the ticketing fiasco during Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” presale in 2022.
If the DOJ’s lawsuit goes through, Live Nation could be facing some serious consequences, like being forced to break up or other remedies. It’s a high-stakes game, and the outcome could shake up the entire live entertainment industry.
Photo by Sebastian Ervi.