Live Nation started as an events promoter and live venue operator in 1996 in response to ticketing giant Ticketmaster's control over the the live entertainment market. By 2009, Live Nation had merged with Ticketmaster in a controversial move. The U.S Department of Justice approved the merger a year later with conditions, including one that would enforce the companies to preserve competition. At the time, Bruce Springsteen opposed the merger, writing "the one thing that would make the current ticket situation even worse for the fan than it is now would be Ticketmaster and Live Nation coming up with a single system, thereby returning us to a near monopoly situation in music ticketing."

Since 2011, Live Nation has acquired artist management firms, music festivals, live venues, and venue chains. The company runs separate film and television divisions and artist management divisions. They have reached deals with major celebrities like Madonna, U2, Shakira, Jay-Z, and Nickelback.

Live Nation has faced several lawsuits for alleged ticket price fixing and anti-competitive practices. In 2024, the U.S. DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit, in conjunction with 29 states and the District of Columbia, against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. “We allege that Live Nation has illegally monopolized markets across the live concert industry in the United States for far too long," Attorney General Merrick Garland said during a press conference. "It is time to break it up.”