Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s antitrust trial begins in New York

By Jody Godoy

March 3 (Reuters) – Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation are set to face trial on Tuesday over U.S. claims that the entertainment conglomerate dominated live event markets in ways that hurt artists, venues and fans.

The jury trial in Manhattan is emblematic of a bipartisan push to tackle affordability through antitrust crackdowns. The case was filed in 2024, during the Biden administration, and is being brought to trial by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition, including the majority of U.S. states.

At opening statements on Tuesday, the DOJ is expected to argue that Live Nation holds illegal monopolies in certain venue and ticketing markets. If the DOJ prevails, it could seek to make Live Nation sell Ticketmaster or restructure its contracts. New York leads the states that are also seeking compensation for fans.

Live Nation has called the allegations baseless. “The outcome of this trial will do nothing to lower ticket prices for fans or address the industry issues they care about most,” a Live Nation spokesperson said.

Singer Kid Rock and Ben Lovett of the band Mumford & Sons are expected to testify at the trial, as are executives from rival ticketing companies and venues, including Madison Square Garden.

Live Nation is accused of requiring artists to use its concert promotion services in order to play concerts at the outdoor amphitheaters it owns. The DOJ also alleges the company’s Ticketmaster arm dominated ticketing services through threats and multi-year exclusive contracts with major concert venues.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian recently cut several claims from the case, but rejected Live Nation’s request to pause the trial to allow it to appeal.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis)