Live Nation, Ticketmaster Antitrust Trial to Resume After 7 States Join Settlement

Remaining 32 states plan to continue lawsuit alleging anti-competitive practices in live music industry

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:33pm

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The antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster will resume on Monday after negotiations this week failed to result in many states joining a tentative settlement reached with the U.S. Justice Department. Seven Republican-led states have now joined the settlement, while the remaining 32 states plan to continue their lawsuit alleging the companies have squelched competition and driven up prices for fans through threats, retaliation and other tactics.

Why it matters

The high-profile trial is seen as a major test of the government's ability to rein in consolidation and anti-competitive practices in the live music industry, which has long been dominated by Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The outcome could have significant implications for consumers and the future of the industry.

The details

The trial had already begun when the Justice Department announced a deal with Live Nation that would allow more competition in some ticket markets. However, many states criticized the federal settlement as not going far enough. With no breakthrough in further negotiations this week, the judge ruled the trial will resume on Monday. The judge also rejected Live Nation's objection to the inclusion of internal emails showing employees mocking 'outrageous' VIP ticket prices and calling customers 'stupid' for paying them.

  • The trial will resume on Monday, March 17, 2026.
  • Negotiations this week failed to result in many states joining the tentative Justice Department settlement.

The players

Live Nation Entertainment

The live music giant that owns Ticketmaster and is accused of anti-competitive practices in the industry.

Ticketmaster

The ticketing subsidiary of Live Nation that is also a defendant in the antitrust lawsuit.

U.S. Justice Department

The federal agency that initially sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster and reached a tentative settlement, which many states have criticized as insufficient.

Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota

The seven Republican-led states that have now joined the Justice Department's settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

Judge Arun Subramanian

The judge presiding over the antitrust trial who ruled against Live Nation's objection to the inclusion of internal emails mocking 'outrageous' VIP ticket prices.

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What they’re saying

“The chance all states would settle their claims this week was 'about zero.'”

— Dan Wall, Live Nation attorney (Court hearing)

What’s next

The judge has ruled that the antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster will resume on Monday, March 17, 2026 after negotiations this week failed to result in many states joining a tentative settlement with the Justice Department.

The takeaway

This high-stakes trial is a major test of the government's ability to rein in consolidation and anti-competitive practices in the live music industry, which has long been dominated by Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The outcome could have significant implications for consumers and the future of the industry.