- Millions of ticket buyers may be certified as a class in a major antitrust case against Ticketmaster and Live Nation.
- If certified, plaintiffs could seek treble damages that may total billions of dollars.
- Judge George Wu appeared likely to grant class certification after a Dec. 4, 2025 hearing in Los Angeles.
- The dispute centers on alleged exclusive venue deals, inflated fees, and control of primary and secondary ticket markets.
H2: Judge reviews class certification in high‑stakes ticketing case
U.S. District Judge George Wu heard arguments Dec. 4 in Los Angeles on whether millions of consumers who bought tickets through Ticketmaster can proceed together as a class. The plaintiffs say Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster unit used monopoly power to inflate ticket prices and force venues into exclusive ticketing arrangements.
H3: What the plaintiffs allege
The lawsuit — brought nearly four years ago and seeking to represent all U.S. buyers who purchased primary tickets and paid Ticketmaster fees at major venues since 2010 — alleges Live Nation paid top artists to secure tours and then used long‑term exclusive contracts to require venues to use Ticketmaster. Plaintiffs say that combination gave Ticketmaster dominance in both the primary and secondary ticketing markets, allowing it to charge excessive fees.
H3: Stakes if class is certified
If Judge Wu allows class certification, the consolidated claim would strengthen plaintiffs’ leverage in settlement talks and at trial. Under federal antitrust law, successful plaintiffs can seek treble damages — three times actual damages — meaning the potential exposure for Live Nation and Ticketmaster could run into the billions.
H2: Defense arguments and the role of economic experts
Attorneys for Live Nation and Ticketmaster argued the proposed class action masks significant differences among ticket buyers. Tim O’Mara, counsel for the companies, told the court that the plaintiffs’ economic model fails to account for variations in venue size, location, and the specific fees negotiated between Ticketmaster and individual venues.
O’Mara warned that certifying the class based on the plaintiffs’ methodology could set a broad precedent: “If this can be certified as a class, then any case can be certified,” he said. The defense suggested any challenges to the expert analysis should be addressed through pretrial motions.
H3: Judge’s approach
Judge Wu indicated he was reluctant to allow a full reliability attack on the plaintiffs’ economist at the class‑certification stage. He suggested such disputes might be better resolved later in the litigation, signaling a possible willingness to grant class status while leaving factual battles for trial or pretrial motions.
H2: Procedural history and next steps
Judge Wu previously denied Ticketmaster’s bid to send claims to arbitration and rejected the company’s attempt to dismiss the case. With the class‑certification motion now under submission, the next steps depend on Wu’s written decision. If certification is granted, the litigation will proceed on a consolidated basis representing millions of buyers.
H3: Why this matters for fans and the industry
A certified class would unite individual complaints into a single, potentially massive claim over ticket fees and market control. For consumers, it could lead to remedies or changes in how major venues contract with ticket sellers. For Live Nation and Ticketmaster, it raises the prospect of significant financial liability and renewed scrutiny of ticketing practices.
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