Live Nation reaches settlement with US competition regulator over concert monopoly
Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have reached a settlement with the competition authorities in the United States, the US Department of Justice announced on Monday. For years, Live Nation has been accused of monopolising the live music sector by both organising concerts in its own venues and handling ticket sales.
Details of the settlement are not known, but according to sources familiar with the case, part of the ticket sales would be opened up to third parties, who would also be able to organise concerts in venues managed by Live Nation. This way, Live Nation would not have to sell Ticketmaster.
The settlement, which still needs to be ratified by a judge, puts an end to a lawsuit that sought to force Live Nation to sell Ticketmaster. The US Department of Justice's lawyer, Andrew Kline, has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. Several US states that had joined the case however criticised the settlement on Monday and want the lawsuit to continue.
Live Nation acquired Ticketmaster in 2010. At the time, regulators approved the acquisition on the condition that Ticketmaster would do enough to maintain healthy competition in the ticket sales market. That promise has been broken several times. In 2019, additional requirements were imposed to keep the ticket sales market open to competitors.
Live Nation is also active in Belgium, amongst others as the organiser of festivals such as Rock Werchter. Last year, the Belgian Competition Authority launched an investigation into Live Nation's acquisition of the Pukkelpop festival. Ticketmaster is active in Belgium as well.
Concert Pommelien Thijs at the Rock Werchter music festival in 2025 © PHOTO ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Alex Vanhee
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