Judge Orders Live Nation to Negotiate with States

Talks aim to resolve claims of illegal monopolization in live event industry

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A New York federal judge has ordered Live Nation Entertainment to engage in settlement talks with a group of 27 states and Washington, D.C. that have accused the company of illegally monopolizing the live event industry. The judge declined to rule on the states' request for a mistrial after the Department of Justice reached its own settlement with Live Nation. If no settlement is reached, the jury trial in the case may continue next week.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Live Nation's dominant position in the live events industry. The outcome of these settlement talks or a potential trial could have significant implications for Live Nation's business model and the competitive landscape of the live events market.

The details

During the court hearing, Judge Arun Subramanian said the states and Live Nation must engage in settlement discussions to potentially resolve the claims. The states had previously requested a mistrial after the DOJ reached its own settlement with Live Nation, but the judge declined to rule on that request at this time.

  • The court hearing took place on March 11, 2026.

The players

Live Nation Entertainment

A major live events company that has faced antitrust scrutiny over its dominant position in the industry.

Arun Subramanian

A New York federal judge presiding over the case against Live Nation.

27 states and Washington, D.C.

A group of states that have accused Live Nation of illegally monopolizing the live event industry.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The federal agency that previously reached its own settlement with Live Nation, prompting a request for a mistrial from the states.

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What they’re saying

“If no settlement is reached, a jury trial in the case may continue next week.”

— Arun Subramanian, Judge (bloomberglaw.com)

What’s next

The judge has ordered Live Nation and the group of states to engage in settlement talks. If no settlement is reached, the jury trial in the case may continue next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Live Nation's dominant position in the live events industry, and the outcome of these settlement talks or a potential trial could have significant implications for the company's business model and the competitive landscape of the live events market.