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Live Nation Seeks New Trial After Antitrust Verdict Against Ticketmaster
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. has filed a motion in the Southern District of New York asking a federal judge to invalidate a jury verdict that found the company and its subsidiary Ticketmaster liable for violating federal and state antitrust laws. The motion seeks a new trial, arguing that the evidence presented at trial was weak, prejudicial, and legally flawed.
The lawsuit was filed in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 40 states, including Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs alleged that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had maintained a monopoly over the live‑events market since the 2010 merger that created Live Nation Entertainment. The case was set to proceed in federal court, but a settlement was reached with the Justice Department in March 2026. The states, however, chose to continue the litigation.
Trial began in March 2026 and concluded on April 15, 2026, when a New York jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff states on all federal and state antitrust claims. The jury found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had engaged in unlawful monopolization under Section 2 of the Sherman Act and had violated Section 1 through tying arrangements. The verdict also held the companies liable for overcharging ticket buyers.
In its motion, Live Nation’s attorneys argue that the plaintiffs failed to establish objective anticompetitive market effects. They point to the fact that the plaintiffs’ main threat‑and‑retaliation case relied almost entirely on a single incident that occurred in 2021 at the Barclays Center. The defense also contends that the court admitted five categories of evidence that were out of market, stale, or hearsay, and that these pieces of evidence unduly influenced the jury.
Live Nation further claims that the jury instructions misrepresented the governing antitrust laws. According to the defense, the instructions failed to properly explain the legal standards for monopolization and tying, and the misstatements compounded the effect of the prejudicial evidence.
The company’s motion is part of a broader strategy to challenge the jury’s findings. Live Nation has indicated that it will appeal any unfavorable rulings on the new‑trial motion. The outcome of the motion could determine whether the companies must face the full consequences of the April verdict, including potential monetary penalties and changes to their business practices.
The case has attracted attention because it involves the largest live‑events promoter and ticket‑sales platform in the world. A new trial could delay or alter the enforcement of the antitrust ruling, which many industry observers say could reshape ticket pricing and competition in the live‑events sector.
At present, the motion is pending before the judge. No decision has been issued, and the parties have not set a timetable for a potential new trial. The legal proceedings will continue to be closely watched by regulators, competitors, and consumers who are interested in the future of ticket sales and venue access.
The outcome of the new‑trial motion will determine whether the April verdict stands or whether Live Nation and Ticketmaster will be required to comply with the jury’s findings. Until a ruling is made, the case remains an ongoing legal battle that could have significant implications for the live‑events industry.
The lawsuit was filed in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 40 states, including Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs alleged that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had maintained a monopoly over the live‑events market since the 2010 merger that created Live Nation Entertainment. The case was set to proceed in federal court, but a settlement was reached with the Justice Department in March 2026. The states, however, chose to continue the litigation.
Trial began in March 2026 and concluded on April 15, 2026, when a New York jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff states on all federal and state antitrust claims. The jury found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had engaged in unlawful monopolization under Section 2 of the Sherman Act and had violated Section 1 through tying arrangements. The verdict also held the companies liable for overcharging ticket buyers.
In its motion, Live Nation’s attorneys argue that the plaintiffs failed to establish objective anticompetitive market effects. They point to the fact that the plaintiffs’ main threat‑and‑retaliation case relied almost entirely on a single incident that occurred in 2021 at the Barclays Center. The defense also contends that the court admitted five categories of evidence that were out of market, stale, or hearsay, and that these pieces of evidence unduly influenced the jury.
Live Nation further claims that the jury instructions misrepresented the governing antitrust laws. According to the defense, the instructions failed to properly explain the legal standards for monopolization and tying, and the misstatements compounded the effect of the prejudicial evidence.
The company’s motion is part of a broader strategy to challenge the jury’s findings. Live Nation has indicated that it will appeal any unfavorable rulings on the new‑trial motion. The outcome of the motion could determine whether the companies must face the full consequences of the April verdict, including potential monetary penalties and changes to their business practices.
The case has attracted attention because it involves the largest live‑events promoter and ticket‑sales platform in the world. A new trial could delay or alter the enforcement of the antitrust ruling, which many industry observers say could reshape ticket pricing and competition in the live‑events sector.
At present, the motion is pending before the judge. No decision has been issued, and the parties have not set a timetable for a potential new trial. The legal proceedings will continue to be closely watched by regulators, competitors, and consumers who are interested in the future of ticket sales and venue access.
The outcome of the new‑trial motion will determine whether the April verdict stands or whether Live Nation and Ticketmaster will be required to comply with the jury’s findings. Until a ruling is made, the case remains an ongoing legal battle that could have significant implications for the live‑events industry.
