A federal jury ruled today that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary operate an illegal monopoly that overcharged fans for tickets, handing a win to US states that continued a trial even after the Trump administration dropped out. The jury found that “Ticketmaster unlawfully maintains a monopoly in the market for ticketing services at major concert venues” and that “Live Nation has a monopoly in the market for large amphitheaters used by artists,” said an announcement from the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. The jury additionally determined “that Live Nation unlawfully requires artists who use the amphitheaters it owns to also use its event promotion services,” and “that fans have been overcharged for concert tickets at major concert venues across the country,” the New York AG’s office said. A five-week trial was held in US District Court for the Southern District of New York. According to CNN, jurors found that “Ticketmaster overcharged states by $1.72 per ticket, about what the states had estimated.” Evidence at trial showed that a Live Nation regional director boasted of gouging ticket buyers and “robbing them blind” with fees for ancillary services such as slight parking upgrades. Judge Arun Subramanian will determine damages and other potential remedies in a separate proceeding. “The verdict could cost Live Nation and Ticketmaster hundreds of millions of dollars, just for the $1.72 per ticket that the jury found Ticketmaster had overcharged consumers in 22 states,” the Associated Press reported. Live Nation breakup is possible remedy Structural remedies could prove more significant than financial damages, given that Live Nation reported $25.2 billion in 2025 revenue. The lawsuit filed by the US government and states in 2024 asked for a breakup that would force Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster and concert venues. The Trump administration last month decided to drop out of the case that began during the Biden era. The US blindsided states by announcing a settlement with Live Nation during the trial, forcing states to take over the lead role.