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States Seek Breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster
May22
A coalition of U.S. state attorneys general has asked a federal judge to order the separation of Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster following a recent jury verdict that found the company violated antitrust law.
In a legal filing submitted on May 21, the states argued that forcing Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster is necessary to restore competition in the live entertainment and ticketing sectors. The filing comes roughly one month after a jury concluded that Live Nation had illegally monopolized markets tied to ticketing services and amphitheater operations.
The states are seeking what antitrust law refers to as “structural remedies,” including the sale of Ticketmaster as a standalone business capable of competing independently for primary ticketing contracts with major venues.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2024 by the United States Department of Justice and multiple states. The case focused on claims that Live Nation, which acquired Ticketmaster in 2010, used its scale across promotion, venue ownership and ticketing to dominate the live music industry.
Although the DOJ later reached a proposed settlement with Live Nation that did not require a breakup, several states chose to continue pursuing the case in court, arguing that behavioral changes alone would not sufficiently address competition concerns.
In addition to seeking the separation of Ticketmaster, the states are also asking the court to require Live Nation to divest a number of major amphitheaters and to impose restrictions on future venue acquisitions. The filing also seeks financial compensation tied to alleged ticketing fee overcharges and the recovery of profits linked to what the states describe as unlawful monopoly practices.
Live Nation has rejected the proposed remedies. Dan Wall, EVP of corporate and regulatory affairs at Live Nation, said in a statement that the jury verdict “cannot support a request for divesting Ticketmaster from Live Nation” and described the states’ request as “performative and political.”
The company is expected to formally oppose the requested remedies in upcoming court filings. Live Nation has previously stated that it believes the case can be resolved through operational changes agreed with the DOJ, including limits on exclusive contracts, without requiring the sale of Ticketmaster.
The outcome of the case could have significant implications across the global live entertainment industry, particularly for promoters, venues, artists and ticketing operators that rely on Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s infrastructure and market reach.
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