dailyloe.com – On April 15, 2026, a federal jury in Manhattan ruled against Live Nation and Ticketmaster after a six-week trial. The jury determined they were guilty of monopolizing the ticketing market, amphitheaters, and unlawfully tying promotion services to ticketing.
Live Nation intends to appeal the ruling. The tying verdict highlighted the experiences of independent venues, festivals, and fans, revealing how Live Nation’s control of tours influenced ticketing practices.
John Abbamondi, former CEO of Barclays Center, testified that his venue returned to Ticketmaster due to pressure from Live Nation. Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation, warned that continuing concerts at the venue would be difficult if it left Ticketmaster.
This control over tours allows Live Nation to dictate which venues receive shows. The jury found this practice illegal, leading to the conclusion that Live Nation and Ticketmaster constitute an illegal monopoly.
The jury’s ruling includes monetary damages, which are expected to benefit independent venues and promoters harmed by Live Nation’s practices. The verdict also revealed that Ticketmaster overcharged consumers by $1.72 for every ticket sold.
