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Why Live Nation Is Being Blamed for High Concert Ticket Prices

Bad Bunny performs during his world tour at the Allianz Parque stadium in Sao Paulo on Feb. 20.Source: AFP

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By Leah Nylen and Mikella Schuettler

April 15, 2026 at 10:42 PM UTC

The live music industry in the US is booming. Since the decline of CD sales and the advent of music streaming, performing artists have turned to tours to earn more of their income, and ticket prices have skyrocketed. Increasingly, one company has come to profit: Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its Ticketmaster arm.

In a major antitrust verdict, a New York federal jury concluded on April 15 that Live Nation illegally monopolized the live events industry and overcharged fans.