Ticketmaster
Live Nation settles DOJ antitrust lawsuit without Ticketmaster divestiture amid state opposition
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Live Nation reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in a long-running antitrust lawsuit, avoiding a breakup with Ticketmaster but agreeing to operational changes, including amphitheater divestments and opening ticketing to competitors. The deal, announced during trial on March 9, 2026, drew criticism from several state attorneys general who plan to continue separate litigation.
Over 424,000 fans queued for CORTIS's New York presale on June 9, leading to quick sellouts and immediate resale listings that upset supporters.
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Ticketmaster temporarily stopped the sale of tickets for Celine Dion's upcoming shows in Paris after detecting suspicious activity in the online queue. Fans who had waited for hours were left unable to purchase tickets. The company said it is working to restart the process.
The U.S. Department of Justice opened its landmark antitrust trial against Live Nation on March 3, 2026, in New York federal court, accusing the company—which owns Ticketmaster—of maintaining an illegal monopoly in concert ticketing and promotion. Prosecutors detailed anticompetitive practices harming fans, artists, and venues, while Live Nation lawyers denied monopoly power in a competitive market. The case follows a May 2024 lawsuit amplified by the 2022 Ticketmaster crash during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour presale.
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Live Nation's head of corporate and regulatory affairs, Dan Wall, has publicly called for the Department of Justice to settle its antitrust case against the company without requiring the sale of Ticketmaster. In a blog post, Wall argues that recent court rulings weaken the government's position for a breakup. The case heads to trial next month amid ongoing negotiations.