History of Live Nation Entertainment in Timeline

Live Nation Entertainment is a multinational entertainment company formed in 2010 from the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Operating both brands as subsidiaries, the company focuses on promoting and managing ticket sales for live events globally. Additionally, Live Nation owns and operates entertainment venues and is involved in artist management.

1996: Rhiza Pascua Founded Music Management International

In 1996, Rhiza Pascua founded Music Management International (MMI), which was later acquired by Live Nation in 2022 to become Live Nation Philippines.

2006: Live Nation linked to Deaths and Injuries at Events

Since 2006, Live Nation has been linked to at least 200 deaths and 750 injuries at its events in seven countries.

December 22, 2009: UK Competition Commission Approves Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger

On December 22, 2009, the United Kingdom's Competition Commission reversed its initial ruling and approved the merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

2009: Live Nation and Ticketmaster Agreement to Merge

In 2009, Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached an agreement to merge. The new company received regulatory approval and was named Live Nation Entertainment. Michael Rapino became the new company's CEO, and Irving Azoff was named executive chairman.

January 25, 2010: U.S. Justice Department Approves Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger

On January 25, 2010, the U.S. Justice Department approved the Live Nation and Ticketmaster merger, with conditions including Ticketmaster selling its self-ticketing company, Paciolan, and licensing its software to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

2010: Live Nation Entertainment Founded

In 2010, Live Nation Entertainment was founded following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, continuing to operate both brands as subsidiary companies.

2011: Mathew Knowles Sues Live Nation

In 2011, Destiny's Child manager Mathew Knowles unsuccessfully sued Live Nation, alleging the company spread false information about his business dealings with Beyoncé.

2012: Stage Collapse at Radiohead Concert

In 2012, a stage collapsed at a Radiohead concert killing one crew member, which led to charges against Live Nation in 2013 for violating Ontario health and safety laws.

June 2013: Live Nation Charged for Radiohead Stage Collapse

In June 2013, Live Nation was charged with violating Ontario health and safety laws following a 2012 stage collapse at a Radiohead concert that resulted in one death.

2013: Live Nation Acquires New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

In 2013, Live Nation acquired the New Orleans Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.

2013: Live Nation Announces Joint Venture with Insomniac Events

In 2013, Live Nation announced a joint venture with Insomniac Events, a promoter focused on electronic dance music.

2014: Live Nation Acquires C3 Presents

In 2014, Live Nation acquired C3 Presents in Austin, Texas.

August 2015: Live Nation Announces Live Nation Germany

In August 2015, Live Nation announced the formation of Live Nation Germany, in partnership with Marek Lieberberg, with oversight over events in Austria and Switzerland.

2015: Live Nation Acquires Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

In 2015, Live Nation acquired Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee.

February 2016: Live Nation Acquires Union Events

In February 2016, Live Nation acquired Canada's largest independent concert promoter, Union Events.

March 2016: Live Nation Acquires Big Concerts International

In March 2016, Live Nation acquired Big Concerts International, South Africa's leading concert promoter.

2016: OSHA violations cited for Live Nation

From 2016 to 2019, Live Nation had been cited for at least ten OSHA violations, fined for incidents, and sued civilly.

2016: Live Nation Acquires Founders Entertainment

In 2016, Live Nation acquired Founders Entertainment, the parent company of the Governors Ball Music Festival.

October 1, 2017: Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting

On October 1, 2017, the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting occurred, resulting in 58 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The victims reached an $800 million settlement four years after the shooting.

2017: Live Nation Entertainment Reports Revenue of $10.3 Billion

In 2017, Live Nation Entertainment reported revenue of $10.3 billion.

2017: Live Nation Announces Partnership with Mercury East

In 2017, Live Nation announced a partnership with New York City-based promotion company Mercury East in partnership with Michael Swier. The deal included venues like Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom.

2017: Live Nation Purchases Controlling Interest in Blue Stone Entertainment

In 2017, Live Nation purchased a controlling interest in Israeli promoter Blue Stone Entertainment.

2017: Live Nation Purchases Controlling Stake in Cuffe & Taylor

In 2017, Live Nation purchased a controlling stake in the United Kingdom-based Cuffe & Taylor.

2017: Live Nation Invests in Music Festivals and Promoters

In 2017, Live Nation purchased controlling interests in BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival, Salt Lake City-based concert promoter United Concerts, and CT Touring.

April 2018: U.S. Department of Justice Investigates Live Nation

In April 2018, the United States Department of Justice launched an investigation following allegations by AEG that Live Nation pressured them into using Ticketmaster and intentionally avoided booking acts for AEG venues.

May 2018: Live Nation Acquires Stake in Rock in Rio Festival

In May 2018, Live Nation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Brazil's Rock in Rio festival from SFX Entertainment, with Roberto Medina continuing to manage operations.

2018: Live Nation Acquires Red Mountain Entertainment

In 2018, Live Nation acquired Red Mountain Entertainment and Emporium Presents.

2018: Live Nation Acquires Majority Stake in Frank Productions

In 2018, Live Nation acquired majority stakes in Wisconsin-based Frank Productions.

October 2019: Live Nation Acquires Majority Stake in Groot Hospitality

In October 2019, Live Nation acquired a majority stake in David Grutman's Groot Hospitality, which includes several nightclubs and restaurants in the Miami metropolitan area, including LIV nightclub.

2019: OSHA violations cited for Live Nation

From 2016 to 2019, Live Nation had been cited for at least ten OSHA violations, fined for incidents, and sued civilly.

2019: Inquest Verdict on Radiohead Stage Collapse

In 2019, an inquest into the 2012 Radiohead stage collapse returned a verdict of accidental death, with a British inquest citing inadequate technical advice and construction techniques.

April 2020: Saudi Arabia's PIF Acquires Stake in Live Nation

In April 2020, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired a 5.7% stake in Live Nation.

April 28, 2020: PIF Investment in Live Nation Valued at Nearly $500 Million

On April 28, 2020, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's (PIF) 5.7% stake in Live Nation was valued at nearly $500 million, making PIF Live Nation's third-largest shareholder.

2020: Live Nation Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, Live Nation was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a halt in concerts and sporting events. The company faced lawsuits due to reluctance in offering full refunds to customers.

February 25, 2021: Live Nation Releases 2020 Financial Results

On February 25, 2021, Live Nation reported an 84% decrease in revenue for the full year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 2021: Astroworld Festival Crowd Crushing Incident

In November 2021, a crowd crushing incident at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, organized by Travis Scott and promoted by Live Nation, resulted in 10 fatalities and nearly 5,000 injuries.

December 2021: Congress Investigates Live Nation's Role in Astroworld Incident

In December 2021, the United States Congress House Oversight Committee announced a bipartisan investigation into Live Nation's role in the November 2021 Astroworld incident.

2021: Live Nation Acquires Majority Stake in Veeps

In 2021, Live Nation acquired a majority stake in streaming entertainment company Veeps.

2021: Live Nation Announces Joint Venture with Duke Concept

In 2021, Live Nation announced a joint venture with Duke Concept, a concert promoter specializing in African artists, supporting touring Afrobeat artists.

January 2022: Lawsuits Related to Astroworld Consolidated

In January 2022, over 387 lawsuits related to the Astroworld incident were combined into a single case.

February 2022: Drakeo the Ruler's Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In February 2022, the family of Drakeo the Ruler filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Live Nation, claiming negligence in security measures at the Once Upon a Time in LA music festival where the rapper was killed.

April 25, 2022: Live Nation Acquires Music Management International (MMI)

On April 25, 2022, Live Nation acquired Philippines-based promoter Music Management International (MMI), establishing Live Nation Philippines.

May 2022: Bill Pascrell Calls for Live Nation Breakup

In May 2022, Representative Bill Pascrell called for Live Nation to be unwound and broken up, citing its safety record and other factors.

November 2022: Calls for Live Nation Breakup Repeated After Taylor Swift Ticketmaster Controversy

In November 2022, calls for Live Nation's breakup were renewed following the Taylor Swift (The Eras Tour) Ticketmaster controversy.

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January 2023: Motion to Dismiss Wrongful Death Lawsuit Rejected

In January 2023, a judge rejected Live Nation's motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Drakeo the Ruler's family, ruling that the need for security at the event made the artist's safety a foreseeable concern.

August 2, 2023: Dynamic Ticket Systems Sues Ticketmaster and Live Nation

On August 2, 2023, Dynamic Ticket Systems, LLC sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation for patent infringement.

August 2023: Federal Judge Rules Against Live Nation in Arbitration Dispute

In August 2023, federal judge George H. Wu ruled that Live Nation's unilateral change of arbitrators made the arbitration agreement unconscionable, allowing the class action status to be certified. The judge found the rule changes "fundamentally unfair", and the court found that patrons were effectively forced into either accepting Live Nation's terms or forgoing attending live events altogether.

2023: Live Nation's controlling interests in venues and market position

As of early 2023, Live Nation reported controlling interests in 338 venues globally and claimed market dominance as "the largest live entertainment company in the world," "the largest producer of live music concerts in the world," "the world's leading live entertainment ticketing sales and marketing company," and "one of" the world's biggest artist management companies and music advertising networks for corporate brands.

2023: Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Live Nation

In 2023, an antitrust class action lawsuit was filed by Ticketmaster customers alleging that Live Nation changed its arbitration provider to New Era ADR, with rules friendlier to Live Nation, when faced with large arbitration demands. The lawsuit, Skot Heckman et al v. Live Nation, claims this switch was unfair and the new rules were abusive and "Kafkaesque."

May 2024: Ticketmaster Data Breach

In May 2024, a 1.3 TB data leak at Ticketmaster, a Live Nation subsidiary, impacted over 500 million customers, leading to a class-action lawsuit; the leak was attributed to ShinyHunters, who targeted Snowflake infrastructure.

May 2024: Justice Department Sues to Break Up Live Nation

In May 2024, the Justice Department and a coalition of states sued to break up Live Nation over antitrust violations.

May 23, 2024: U.S. Department of Justice Sues Live Nation Entertainment

On May 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment over alleged anti-competitive practices, joined by 29 states and the District of Columbia.

2024: Ireland's consumer watchdog investigation into ticket pricing

In 2024, Ireland's consumer watchdog ruled out an investigation into ticket pricing "after some tickets jumped in price by over 400 per cent on Ticketmaster within minutes" and failures of their website during sales of upcoming concerts for the band Oasis to be performed in August 2025.

2024: Live Nation Expands into Portugal

In 2024, Live Nation expanded into Portugal, acquiring the MEO Arena in Lisbon.

August 2025: Oasis Concerts Planned in Ireland

In August 2025, Oasis concerts are planned to take place in Ireland, with ticket sales issues investigated by consumer watchdog in 2024.

September 2025: FTC and States Sue Ticketmaster and Live Nation

In September 2025, the Federal Trade Commission and seven US states sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation, alleging illegal resale tactics that cost consumers billions of dollars.