Judge Denies Live Nation's Bid to Dismiss Antitrust Lawsuit

Ruling clears way for federal government and states to proceed with claims of Live Nation's alleged monopolistic practices in live concerts

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A federal judge in New York has rejected Live Nation Entertainment's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the U.S. government and several states accusing the company of illegally trying to dominate the live concert industry. The judge ruled that there is a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Live Nation has used monopoly power to limit competition.

Why it matters

This decision allows the high-profile antitrust case against Live Nation, one of the largest live entertainment companies in the world, to move forward. The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation has abused its market power to stifle competition, which could have significant implications for the live events industry if the claims are proven.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and several state attorneys general, accuses Live Nation of using its dominance in concert promotion and ticketing to force venues to exclusively use its Ticketmaster subsidiary. The plaintiffs claim this has reduced competition and led to higher prices for consumers.

  • On February 18, 2026, a federal judge in New York rejected Live Nation's bid to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit.

The players

Live Nation Entertainment

A major live entertainment company that owns Ticketmaster and dominates the concert promotion and ticketing industries.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that filed the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian

The federal judge who rejected Live Nation's attempt to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“There is a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Live Nation has used monopoly power to foreclose competition,”

— U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian

What’s next

The case will now proceed to the discovery phase, where the government and states will gather evidence to support their claims of Live Nation's alleged monopolistic practices.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant setback for Live Nation and signals that the court believes the government's antitrust case against the company has merit. The outcome of this lawsuit could reshape the live entertainment industry and have major implications for consumer prices and competition.