Ticketmaster Lawsuit 2025, DOJ Seeks Breakup, FTC Files Hidden Fees Case, $5B Consumer Suit Pending

Three major lawsuits target Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation: a DOJ antitrust suit filed May 2024 seeking to force Live Nation to sell Ticketmaster, an FTC consumer protection lawsuit filed September 2025 over hidden fees and bot facilitation, and a $5 billion consumer class action seeking damages for potentially millions who purchased tickets. On March 14, 2025, Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Live Nation’s motion to dismiss the DOJ case, allowing the antitrust trial scheduled for March 2026 to proceed.

From 2019 to 2024, consumers spent $82.6 billion purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster—with fees adding up to 30-44% to advertised prices and generating $16.4 billion in revenue for the company.

The DOJ Antitrust Lawsuit: Seeking to Break Up Live Nation-Ticketmaster

The U.S. Department of Justice filed civil antitrust charges against Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster on May 23, 2024, in the Southern District of New York. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated bluntly: “It is time to break it up.”

The lawsuit alleges Live Nation-Ticketmaster unlawfully maintains monopolies in concert promotion and primary ticketing markets, violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act. Forty state attorneys general plus the District of Columbia have joined as co-plaintiffs—the largest multistate antitrust coalition in recent history.

The Core Allegations Against Ticketmaster

Ticketing monopoly. Live Nation controls approximately 80% of major concert venues’ primary ticketing. The DOJ alleges this dominance results from exclusive contracts that lock venues into long-term agreements, preventing competition.

Venue control. Live Nation owns or operates hundreds of venues nationwide, using this real estate power to force artists and competing ticketing companies out of the market.

Promotion tying. The DOJ alleges Live Nation requires artists to use its promotion services if they want to perform at Live Nation’s amphitheaters—maintaining over 70% market share in large amphitheater promotions through this practice.

Retaliation tactics. Internal emails obtained by the DOJ show Ticketmaster employees discussing how the company’s “reputation and history of retaliation are so well known” that explicit threats aren’t needed to maintain exclusive arrangements.

Market allocation with Oak View Group. The DOJ alleges Live Nation and OVG divided markets—with Live Nation “effectively ceding its arena consulting business” to OVG in exchange for OVG “effectively ceding the concert promotions space to Live Nation.”

Ticketmaster Lawsuit 2025, DOJ Seeks Breakup, FTC Files Hidden Fees Case, $5B Consumer Suit Pending

Recent Court Developments: Motion to Dismiss Denied

On March 14, 2025, Judge Arun Subramanian denied Live Nation’s motion to dismiss the case, finding the DOJ plausibly alleged antitrust harm through tying arrangements—selling one product (venue access) on the condition buyers purchase another product (promotion services).

Subramanian authorized all 40 state co-plaintiffs to proceed with their antitrust claims, including allegations that Live Nation “engaged in anticompetitive conduct in the primary-ticketing market to box out rivals so that Ticketmaster would be the only game in town.”

The case advances to pretrial discovery with trial scheduled for March 2026. The DOJ is pursuing a jury trial and seeking structural relief—meaning Live Nation could be forced to divest Ticketmaster entirely.

Evidence Against Ticketmaster

Internal company emails reveal damaging admissions:

Ticketmaster employees admit they “turn a blind eye as a matter of policy” to ticket broker misbehavior
A broker previously flagged for large-scale rule violations was described as “not slowing down”
Executives acknowledged the customer experience with hidden fees “sucks” but maintained the pricing structure to maximize revenue

The DOJ alleges music fans in the United States are “deprived of ticketing innovation and forced to use outdated technology while paying more for tickets than fans in other countries.”

The FTC Consumer Protection Lawsuit: Hidden Fees and Bot Facilitation

On September 19, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission filed a separate lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster in the Central District of California, joined by attorneys general from Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.

FTC Allegations: Deceptive Pricing Practices

The FTC alleges Ticketmaster violated the FTC Act’s ban on deceptive practices and the 2016 Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act through:

Bait-and-switch pricing. Ticketmaster advertises low initial prices but adds mandatory fees increasing total costs by 30-44% at checkout. From 2019 to 2024, these fees generated $16.4 billion for Ticketmaster.

Drip pricing. Service charges, order processing fees, and facility fees remain hidden until the final purchase stage. Internal emails show executives describing this as a “bait and switch” and acknowledging the customer experience “sucks.”

Pressure tactics. Eight-minute countdown clocks and urgent pop-up messages rush consumers through checkout, distracting from price increases and preventing comparison shopping.

Bot facilitation. Despite publicly claiming to combat bots, the FTC alleges Ticketmaster tacitly worked with ticket brokers, allowing them to circumvent purchase limits and acquire millions of dollars in tickets for resale at inflated prices.

Resale Market Manipulation

The lawsuit alleges Ticketmaster profits twice from the same tickets:

Collecting fees on initial primary market sales
Collecting additional fees when brokers resell tickets through Ticketmaster’s “verified resale program”

The FTC seeks civil penalties and injunctive relief to stop these practices.

The $5 Billion Consumer Class Action

On May 24, 2024—one day after the DOJ filed its antitrust case—a consumer class action seeking $5 billion in damages was filed against Live Nation Entertainment. The lawsuit seeks to represent potentially millions of individuals who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster.

While specific details of this consumer case are still developing, it represents the largest potential damages claim among the three lawsuits.

The 2024 Ticketmaster Data Breach Class Actions

Separate from the antitrust and pricing lawsuits, multiple class actions were filed in 2024 after hackers breached Ticketmaster’s database, exposing personal information of approximately 560 million customers.

Data Breach Details

In May 2024, hacker group ShinyHunters targeted a third-party cloud database operated by Snowflake where Ticketmaster stored customer data. The stolen information included:

Names and addresses
Phone numbers and email addresses
Order histories
Partial payment card numbers and expiration dates

Despite discovering the breach in April or May 2024, Ticketmaster delayed informing customers until July—exposing users to months of heightened fraud risk.

Data Breach Class Action Claims

Plaintiffs Shannon Spencer, Gerry Mcauley, and Ryan Jossart filed a nationwide class action in the Central District of California alleging:

Failure to implement adequate cybersecurity measures
Negligent data protection protocols
Delayed breach notification
Exposure of consumers to heightened risk of identity theft and fraud

The suits collectively seek at least $5 million in damages plus injunctive relief requiring enhanced cybersecurity standards. Canadian and UK jurisdictions have also initiated related class actions.

Historical Ticketmaster Settlements: The Schlesinger Case

The current lawsuits aren’t Ticketmaster’s first legal battles over fees. The Schlesinger v. Ticketmaster class action, filed in 2003, alleged the company failed to fully disclose UPS and order processing fees.

Schlesinger Settlement Terms

Ticketmaster settled in 2013 by agreeing to issue benefits to class members who purchased tickets on Ticketmaster.com between October 21, 1999 and February 27, 2013:

Discount codes: $2.25 per transaction during the class period, maximum 17 codes per person, valid through June 2020

UPS credits: $5.00 per eligible UPS transaction, maximum 17 codes per person

Free ticket vouchers: Two general admission tickets to eligible Live Nation events, offered on first-come, first-served basis until allocated value exhausted

The settlement initially allocated $5 million in ticket value, later increased due to demand. Many vouchers went unused due to limited eligible events and high redemption demand.

Canadian Ticketmaster Settlement 2025

A separate Canadian class action settled in 2025, covering tickets purchased by Canadian residents (except Quebec) for events in Canada between September 1, 2015 and June 30, 2018.

The Crystal Watch v. Live Nation Entertainment settlement provides redeemable credits up to CA$45.00 for eligible class members who filed claims by the April 24, 2025 deadline. The settlement is now closed.

Who Is Affected by the Current Lawsuits?

DOJ Antitrust Case Affects:

All U.S. consumers who purchase concert and event tickets
Artists seeking venues and promotion services
Competing ticketing companies blocked from major venues
Venues pressured into exclusive arrangements

The DOJ case seeks structural changes benefiting future ticket buyers rather than individual compensation for past purchases.

FTC Consumer Protection Case Affects:

Anyone who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster from 2019-2024 and paid hidden fees
Consumers deceived by drip pricing and bait-and-switch tactics
Ticket buyers harmed by bot-facilitated resale manipulation

$5 Billion Consumer Class Action Affects:

Potentially millions of individuals who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster
Specific eligibility criteria still being determined

Data Breach Class Actions Affect:

Approximately 560 million Ticketmaster customers whose data was exposed
U.S., Canadian, and UK residents with accounts compromised in the May 2024 breach

What Compensation May Be Available?

Compensation varies depending on which lawsuit affects you:

DOJ Antitrust Case: No direct compensation to consumers. If successful, this case would force Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster, potentially creating competition that lowers future ticket prices and fees.

FTC Consumer Protection Case: Potential civil penalties and injunctive relief. Consumer restitution is possible but not yet specified in the complaint.

$5 Billion Consumer Class Action: Potential monetary damages if the case succeeds. Specific payment amounts per affected consumer would depend on final settlement terms and the number of valid claims.

Data Breach Class Actions: Minimum $5 million collectively sought, plus enhanced cybersecurity requirements. Payments would be divided among valid claimants if settlements are reached.

Current Case Status and Timeline

DOJ Antitrust Case

Filed: May 23, 2024
Court: Southern District of New York
Judge: Arun Subramanian
Status: Motion to dismiss denied March 14, 2025
Trial Date: Scheduled March 2026
Next Steps: Pretrial discovery underway

FTC Consumer Protection Case

Filed: September 19, 2025
Court: Central District of California
Status: Early litigation stage
Next Steps: Awaiting responsive pleadings from defendants

$5 Billion Consumer Class Action

Filed: May 24, 2024
Status: Details still developing
Next Steps: Class certification proceedings

Data Breach Class Actions

Filed: 2024
Court: Central District of California (consolidated)
Status: Active litigation
Next Steps: Discovery and settlement negotiations

How to Determine If You’re Affected

For DOJ Antitrust Case: All U.S. ticket buyers benefit if the case succeeds, but no individual claims are required.

For FTC Hidden Fees Case: If you purchased tickets through Ticketmaster between 2019-2024 and were charged hidden fees at checkout, you may be affected. No action required yet—wait for official settlement notices if the case settles.

For $5 Billion Consumer Class Action: Monitor case developments if you purchased Ticketmaster tickets. Class notice will be sent to affected consumers if the case achieves class certification.

For Data Breach Cases: If you had a Ticketmaster account in May 2024, monitor credit reports for suspicious activity and watch for official settlement notices.

What to Do If You’re Affected

For Recent Ticket Purchases:

Save all Ticketmaster purchase confirmations and receipts showing fees charged
Document the difference between initial advertised prices and final checkout amounts
Screenshot hidden fees and checkout pricing if purchasing tickets now
Keep records of any communications with Ticketmaster about fees

For Data Breach Victims:

Monitor credit reports from all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax)
Place fraud alerts on credit accounts
Watch for phishing emails claiming to be from Ticketmaster
Change passwords on Ticketmaster and related accounts
Consider credit monitoring services or identity theft protection

Stay Informed:

Check official court websites for case updates
Register for email updates from class action administrators when available
Monitor news coverage of settlement negotiations
Watch for official settlement notices via mail or email

The Broader Implications: What These Lawsuits Mean

The three concurrent lawsuits represent unprecedented legal pressure on Ticketmaster’s business model:

Antitrust enforcement. The DOJ case follows high-profile antitrust actions under the Biden administration against Apple, Amazon, and Google—signaling renewed government willingness to challenge monopoly power.

Consumer protection. The FTC case directly targets drip pricing and hidden fees that have become standard across multiple industries, potentially setting precedent for broader enforcement.

Market transformation. If the DOJ succeeds in forcing Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster, the entire live events industry could undergo restructuring—potentially lowering prices and increasing competition.

Industry-wide impact. A 2023 poll found 60% of Americans support efforts to break up Live Nation’s Ticketmaster (72% of Democrats, 50% of Republicans, 46% of independents).

Legal Challenges Ahead for Ticketmaster

Judge Subramanian’s March 2025 ruling denying Live Nation’s motion to dismiss clears the path for a full trial, but Live Nation maintains its business practices are lawful and benefit consumers through superior technology.

Live Nation’s Defense Arguments

Venue choice. The company argues venues choose Ticketmaster “because it offers superior technology that empirically sells more tickets.”

Exclusivity is standard. Live Nation contends exclusive arrangements are ubiquitous industry practice and not anticompetitive.

Benefits consumers. The company claims its integrated model provides better service than fragmented competitors could offer.

No tying. Live Nation argues its amphitheater and promotion arrangements amount to lawful refusals to deal rather than unlawful tying.

Recent Developments: Fanatics Partnership Under Scrutiny

In April 2025, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) sent a letter to DOJ Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater urging investigation into a partnership between Ticketmaster and Fanatics.

The senators questioned whether Live Nation-Ticketmaster used monopoly power to prevent Fanatics from competing in online ticketing, writing that Fanatics “entered an agreement with an online ticketing monopolist, rather than innovate, disrupt and compete themselves.”

Resources for Affected Consumers

Official Government Resources:

U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division: justice.gov/atr
Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov
State Attorneys General Offices: Contact your state AG for information about your state’s participation

Consumer Protection:

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information: consumer.ftc.gov
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov
BBB Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker

Credit Monitoring (Data Breach Victims):

Annual Credit Report: annualcreditreport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)
Credit Freeze: Contact Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax directly
Identity Theft Resources: identitytheft.gov

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticketmaster Lawsuits

What is the Ticketmaster lawsuit about?

There are actually three major lawsuits: a DOJ antitrust case seeking to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster, an FTC consumer protection lawsuit over hidden fees and bot facilitation, and a $5 billion consumer class action seeking damages for ticket buyers.

When was the Ticketmaster lawsuit filed?

The DOJ antitrust case was filed May 23, 2024. The FTC consumer protection case was filed September 19, 2025. The $5 billion consumer class action was filed May 24, 2024.

What is the current status of the Ticketmaster lawsuit?

On March 14, 2025, a judge denied Live Nation’s motion to dismiss the DOJ case. Trial is scheduled for March 2026. The FTC case is in early litigation stages. The consumer class action is pursuing class certification.

Who can file a claim in the Ticketmaster lawsuit?

The DOJ and FTC cases are government enforcement actions—individual consumers don’t file claims. For the consumer class action and data breach lawsuits, class notices will be sent to affected individuals if settlements are reached or the cases achieve class certification.

How much money will I get from the Ticketmaster lawsuit?

No settlements have been reached yet. The DOJ case seeks structural relief (forcing divestiture) rather than consumer payments. The FTC and consumer cases could result in monetary compensation, but amounts are not yet determined.

Do I need to do anything now if I bought Ticketmaster tickets?

Save all purchase records showing fees charged. If you’re a data breach victim, monitor credit reports and accounts. Otherwise, wait for official settlement notices if cases settle. Do not respond to unsolicited emails claiming to be settlement notices—these could be phishing scams.

How long will the Ticketmaster lawsuit take?

The DOJ trial is scheduled for March 2026, but appeals could extend litigation for years. The FTC and consumer cases are in earlier stages and timelines are uncertain. Historical Ticketmaster settlements took years to finalize.

What happens if Ticketmaster loses the DOJ lawsuit?

Live Nation could be forced to sell Ticketmaster, potentially breaking up the company’s control over venues, promotion, and ticketing. This could increase competition and lower ticket prices and fees for future purchases.

Can I still buy tickets from Ticketmaster during the lawsuit?

Yes, the lawsuits don’t prevent Ticketmaster from operating. However, save all purchase documentation if you buy tickets, as it could support future claims if settlements are reached.

Key Takeaways: Understanding the Ticketmaster Lawsuits

Three major lawsuits target Ticketmaster’s business practices from different legal angles: DOJ antitrust enforcement, FTC consumer protection, and private consumer class actions. Together they represent the most significant legal threat Ticketmaster has faced in its history.

The DOJ case, supported by 40 state attorneys general, seeks to force Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster entirely—potentially restructuring the entire live events industry. Judge Subramanian’s March 14, 2025 denial of the motion to dismiss clears the path for March 2026 trial.

The FTC case focuses on deceptive pricing practices that generated $16.4 billion in fees from 2019-2024, alleging hidden charges add 30-44% to advertised ticket prices. The case also targets Ticketmaster’s tacit facilitation of bot purchases despite public claims of combating bots.

From 2019-2024, consumers spent $82.6 billion purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster—with the company controlling approximately 80% of major concert venue primary ticketing and a growing share of secondary market resales.

Affected consumers should save all ticket purchase records, document hidden fees, monitor credit reports if affected by the data breach, and watch for official settlement notices. Do not respond to unsolicited emails claiming to be settlement notices without verifying through official court or government websites.

The outcomes of these cases could fundamentally change how Americans purchase tickets to live events—potentially ending monopolistic practices, reducing hidden fees, and increasing competition that benefits consumers, artists, and venues.

Related Legal Resources

For more information about consumer protection, antitrust law, and class action lawsuits, explore these articles:

This article provides general information about the Ticketmaster lawsuits and should not be considered legal advice. For questions about your specific situation or potential claims, consult with a licensed attorney. Information is current as of November 2025 and may change as cases develop.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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