Millions of people who bought concert tickets through Ticketmaster are one step closer to moving forward as a class in a major antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster subsidiary. Plaintiffs say the company used its overwhelming market power to inflate ticket prices and charge unreasonable fees.
The case is before U.S. District Judge George Wu in Los Angeles, who on Thursday filed a motion for class certification — a crucial step that could decide whether the lawsuit moves forward on behalf of millions of consumers.
Why Class Certification Matters
If Judge Wu certifies the class, Ticketmaster and Live Nation could face potentially billions of dollars in liability. Under federal antitrust laws, damages can be tripled if the plaintiffs win.
A certified class would also strengthen plaintiffs’ leverage in settlement negotiations because millions of affected consumers would be represented collectively rather than as individual cases.
The main charge
The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster violated U.S. antitrust laws by using its dominance in several sectors of the live event industry to crush competition.
Monopoly in Primary Ticketing:
Ticketmaster reportedly locks up prime seats through exclusive contracts, leaving consumers with no real alternative.
The plaintiffs say Ticketmaster is using its market control to impose inflated fees on fans who buy tickets.
Coercive practices:
Live Nation reportedly pays huge sums of money to top artists to secure tours and then pressures venues to use Ticketmaster to cover those costs.
Control over the resale market:
Ticketmaster is also accused of forcing sellers and consumers to use its own secondary market, limiting options and keeping prices high.
What Live Nation Says
Live Nation attorney Tim O’Mara argued that the class should not be certified because the plaintiffs failed to show that all ticket buyers were harmed in the same way. He pointed out differences between venues, markets and negotiated fee structures.
The company says its practices are competitive and that Ticketmaster’s fees reflect market realities, not monopoly abuse.
What the government says
This is not just a consumer lawsuit. The case was also brought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and 40 state attorneys general, who argue that Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s vertical dominance harms:
– competing ticketing companies
The DOJ claims the company’s control of ticketing, promotion and venue management gives it illegal power over the entire live event ecosystem.
Judge Wu’s current role
Judge George Wu has already said:
-denied Ticketmaster’s attempt to force consumers into arbitration
– refused to dismiss the lawsuit
-allowed the case to move toward class certification
His next decision — whether to certify the Millions class — will shape the future of the entire case.
Why this case matters to concertgoers
If the plaintiffs succeed:
-competition on the ticket market could increase
-alternative platforms could gain a foothold
-Live Nation and Ticketmaster split could reshape the live event industry
The lawsuit also shines a light on widespread frustration with what fans describe as sky-high fees, limited ticketing options and flawed systems — problems critics say are symptoms of monopoly power.
