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Live Nation Signals Willingness to End Exclusive Ticketing Deals
Live Nation is preparing for a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) trial scheduled for March 2026, and says it could adapt if required to give up exclusive ticketing contracts with venues.
The DOJ lawsuit accuses the company, which owns Ticketmaster, of using its scale as the largest concert promoter, ticket seller, and venue operator in the U.S. to restrict competition.
The government claims Live Nation pressured venues into exclusive ticketing agreements and retaliated against those that worked with competitors.
Speaking at an investor conference on Wednesday, Live Nation President Joe Berchtold suggested that exclusivity is not central to the company’s business model. He indicated the company could adjust if regulators bar venues from selling exclusive ticketing rights.
“Most of the things that we think are the greatest concern around exclusivity, length of exclusivity, these are not things that are ultimately drivers of our success,” Berchtold said. “So, you know, if [venues are] told that they can’t auction off exclusivity, then fine, we’ll adjust.”
One proposed government remedy is separating Ticketmaster from Live Nation, though Berchtold pushed back on the idea, maintaining that Live Nation does not force exclusivity on venues.
Beyond preparing for the trial, Berchtold said the company’s operations remain steady, with strong demand for live concerts. Only a small group of executives are focused on the DOJ proceedings, he added.