Live Nation Settled Antitrust Case After February Meeting With President Trump

Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster reached a settlement with federal officials one week into trial in early March. The agreement ended a lawsuit filed under the prior administration that alleged the companies blocked competition in the live entertainment industry.

Under the settlement, Live Nation agreed to end exclusive booking agreements with 13 amphitheaters. The company also committed to opening venues to all promoters, allowing them to distribute half of the tickets, and capping ticketing service fees at 15 percent.

More than 30 states that had joined the federal case opted to continue the trial. A jury found in April that Live Nation and Ticketmaster held an illegal monopoly over the industry. Live Nation stated that the jury verdict is not the final word and that pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand.

The company added that it remains confident the ultimate outcome of the states' case will not differ materially from the federal settlement.

Court documents filed Monday revealed that Live Nation first began efforts to open settlement negotiations in February 2025. The company and its advisers met with federal officials and members of the White House, mainly the office of the White House counsel.

Among those who participated in the discussions were former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and Richard Grenell, the former Kennedy Center president and special missions envoy who joined Live Nation's board of directors in May 2025.