A US federal jury Wednesday found Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster violated multiple federal antitrust laws, determining the companies held an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry and overcharged consumers $1.72 per ticket.

The verdict, reached in United States v. Live Nation Entertainment before the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, came after a coalition of 40 state attorneys general brought suit in 2024. The Department of Justice reached a separate $280 million settlement with the companies in March, in which the state coalition said fell short of adequate relief for consumers. A judge will set a date for a separate remedies proceeding.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who led the coalition, praised the result, writing:

This is a huge win for consumers, as a jury has agreed with our position that these two mega companies have essentially had a stranglehold on a multi-billion-dollar industry that limited Pennsylvanians’ options for enjoying their favorite artists. I am proud that our office has been part of a bipartisan coalition that continued this case under extraordinary circumstances and took it to a jury.

The 2024 complaint alleged Live Nation maintained its monopoly in ticketing by locking venues into exclusive long-term agreements and threatening to withdraw access to Live Nation-controlled tours if they signed with rival ticketing companies. The coalition further alleged Live Nation used its amphitheater network to pressure artists into selecting Live Nation as a promoter over competitors, leaving fans with higher fees and fewer choices.

In a statement, Live Nation said “the jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter,” noting that pending motions on liability and damages would determine whether the rulings stand, and that the company would appeal any unfavorable outcomes.

Plaintiffs seek Ticketmaster’s divestiture from Live Nation as financial compensation for consumers who overpaid and a court order barring both companies from further anticompetitive conduct.