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Judge Rejects Live Nation's Bid to Dismiss Ticketmaster Monopoly Lawsuit
Federal judge clears way for antitrust trial over Live Nation's alleged dominance of live concert industry
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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A federal judge has rejected Live Nation Entertainment's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit by the U.S. government and 39 states accusing the company of illegally trying to monopolize the live concert industry through its ownership of Ticketmaster. The judge ruled there is a "genuine dispute of material fact" over whether Live Nation has used its power to "foreclose competition", clearing the way for a potential antitrust trial in March.
Why it matters
The decision is a major setback for Live Nation, which has long faced criticism over Ticketmaster's dominance in the ticketing market. The lawsuit alleges Live Nation has abused its market power to harm both fans and performers, with issues like high prices and poor service for Taylor Swift's 2022 tour fueling renewed calls for regulators to scrutinize the company's 2010 acquisition of Ticketmaster.
The details
The judge ruled the government plaintiffs can try to prove Live Nation improperly tied the use of its concert venues to its promotion services, and illegally dominated ticketing for major venues. The states can also seek damages on behalf of ticket-buying fans, with the judge saying it was "reasonably foreseeable" they were harmed. Live Nation had denied exercising monopoly power and argued there was no evidence of consumer harm.
- The lawsuit was filed by the Department of Justice and 39 states in May 2024.
- Jury selection for the potential antitrust trial is scheduled to begin on March 2, 2026.
The players
Live Nation Entertainment
A Beverly Hills, California-based entertainment company that owns Ticketmaster and is accused of illegally trying to monopolize the live concert industry.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian
The federal judge who rejected Live Nation's bid to dismiss the government's antitrust lawsuit.
Department of Justice
The federal agency that filed the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation alongside 39 states and Washington, D.C.
Taylor Swift
The popular music artist whose 2022 tour was cited as an example of Ticketmaster's poor service and high prices, fueling renewed scrutiny of Live Nation's market power.
What they’re saying
“There is a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Live Nation has used monopoly power to foreclose competition.”
— US District Judge Arun Subramanian
What’s next
Jury selection for the potential antitrust trial is scheduled to begin on March 2, 2026.
The takeaway
This ruling is a significant setback for Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which have long faced allegations of anti-competitive behavior and harm to consumers. The decision clears the way for a high-profile trial that could result in major changes to the live entertainment industry if the government can prove its case.
