AIF calls for Competition and Markets Authority to investigate Live Nation
Live Nation could be held responsible for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour, according to AIF analysis.
LONDON Tuesday 8 July 2025 — The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has called for an investigation into Live Nation from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
The trade body recently provided evidence for a Business and Trade Committee inquiry into pricing, competition and consumer protection.
On Tuesday 24th June, Phil Bowdery (Executive President, Touring International Music, Live Nation) and Andrew Parsons (Managing Director, Ticketmaster - a Live Nation company) gave oral evidence to the session.
You can watch the session HERE
A Transcript of the session is HERE
They were presented with an analysis of 23 million tickets on sale for arenas, stadiums and outdoor concerts taking place in the UK in 2025 which showed that Live Nation, either directly or through the companies they own (ie Cuffe & Taylor, DF Concerts, Metropolis) control 66% of those shows.
The information presented to the Live Nation representatives was sent to the Committee by AIF.
The data showed the following:
Total arena, stadium and outdoor concert tickets on sale in 2025: 23,136,243 (23.1 million tickets)
Percentage directly controlled by Live Nation: 58.36% (13.5 million tickets)
Percentage controlled by Live Nation and affiliate companies: 66.4% (15.36 million tickets)
Monopoly threshold in the UK: 25%.
AIF CEO John Rostron said: “Based on our analysis, we believe that there is evidence to suggest that Live Nation could be held responsible for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour and we therefore recommend that the Competition and Markets Authority investigate matters. While we encourage and support organisations and individuals putting on the biggest shows, we wish for the market to be fair where all participants - whether major companies or independents - have opportunities at all levels. That’s why we took this action.”
About AIF
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) is the UK’s national not for profit festival trade association representing the interests of 148 UK music festivals, ranging from 500 to 80,000 capacity. AIF member festivals include some of the most successful and innovative festivals in the UK including the likes of GreenBelt, Mighty Hoopla, Deershed, End of The Road, Notting Hill Carnival, Pitchfork London, Field Maneuvers, We Out Here and many more. Find out more at: www.aiforg.com.