The Live Nation and Ticketmaster Saga: A Robust Merger Analysis 

Abstract

We examine the impact of the controversial Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger on concert ticket prices using regression discontinuity, non-parametric, and structural break analyses. Results indicate statistically and economically significant price increases across all tiers immediately following the 2010 merger, persisting thereafter. Maximum, minimum, and average ticket prices rose by 80%, 23%, and 57%, respectively, confirmed robustly by non-parametric and structural break tests. The findings have immediate policy implications for this merger and industry, highlighting the need for heightened regulatory scrutiny, especially in vertical mergers involving dominant firms in concentrated markets. Additionally, results advocate for routine empirical retrospectives post-merger to evaluate competitive impacts. These retrospectives not only assess past merger outcomes but also refine regulatory expectations and enhance enforcement precision for future merger evaluations.

Keywords: Live Nation-Ticketmaster, Regression Discontinuity Design, Structural Breaks, Merger Analysis