Live Nation’s Attempt to Dismiss Antitrust Lawsuit Fails
Live Nation Entertainment Inc. is set to face an antitrust trial concerning allegations from the US Justice Department and various states, which claim the company has monopolized the live events market. A federal judge has denied Live Nation’s request to dismiss the case, which could potentially lead to the divestiture of its Ticketmaster unit.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian stated that a jury will evaluate whether Live Nation’s actions in the concert industry constitute illegal monopolization. The trial is scheduled to commence on March 2, as detailed in a 44-page ruling.
The judge has allowed the government to pursue claims that Live Nation ties the use of its amphitheaters to its concert promotion services, thereby monopolizing the ticketing market. However, claims regarding the company’s monopolization of the concert promotion market and the resulting higher ticket prices for fans have been dismissed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to comment on the matter.
In response, Live Nation expressed gratitude for the dismissal of claims related to concert promotions and booking markets. The company stated, “With those claims gone, we see no possible basis for breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The deficiencies we identified in the government’s monopoly power and conduct claims have not gone away, and we continue to believe that we will prevail in the end.”
Live Nation had requested a ruling from the judge without proceeding to trial. The federal government, along with approximately 30 state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging that Live Nation has illegally monopolized the live events industry.
According to the complaint, Live Nation controls over 265 concert venues across North America and manages more than 400 musical artists. The government claims that the company holds an astonishing 87% share of the concert ticketing market through its Ticketmaster subsidiary, as well as more than 65% of the concert promotion market.
Judge Subramanian noted that Live Nation “vastly overstated” the competitiveness of the ticketing market, stating that “the government plausibly paints a grim picture for new entrants.”
Despite this, Live Nation successfully had a significant claim regarding its concert promotion business dismissed. The DOJ and states had accused the company of monopolizing concert promotion services for “major concert venues.” However, Subramanian ruled that the evidence only supported a trivial conclusion that Live Nation and other market players often discuss promotion services in relation to some kind of venue, rather than the specific types mentioned in the lawsuit.
This ruling may reduce the likelihood of a breakup. Live Nation acquired Ticketmaster in 2010 following a contentious settlement with the federal government, and the DOJ and states are now seeking to unwind that deal.
The complaint argues that Live Nation’s actions in ticketing and concert promotions are “mutually reinforcing” in their efforts to dominate the live music industry. With the dismissal of the claims regarding concert promotion monopolization, the need for a breakup may be less compelling.
Nevertheless, the company’s influence in the promotions market remains relevant to the allegations of ticketing monopolization, leaving open the possibility for the DOJ to pursue the separation of the two businesses.
New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed her anticipation for the trial, stating, “Live Nation has used its monopoly to rig the live events industry to its benefit, driving up costs with higher ticket prices and outrageous fees. Regardless of the path that the Department of Justice takes, my office will continue this case and we will see Live Nation in court.”
The case is US v. Live Nation Entertainment, 24-cv-03973, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
Photo: Ticketmaster, the largest US ticketing company, merged with Live Nation, the biggest concert promoter, in 2010 after a lengthy antitrust investigation. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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Live Nation Entertainment Inc. is set to face an antitrust trial concerning allegations from the US Justice Department and various states, which claim the company has monopolized the live events market. A federal judge has denied Live Nation’s request to dismiss the case, which could potentially lead to the divestiture of its Ticketmaster unit.
US District Judge Arun Subramanian stated that a jury will evaluate whether Live Nation’s actions in the concert industry constitute illegal monopolization. The trial is scheduled to commence on March 2, as detailed in a 44-page ruling.
The judge has allowed the government to pursue claims that Live Nation ties the use of its amphitheaters to its concert promotion services, thereby monopolizing the ticketing market. However, claims regarding the company’s monopolization of the concert promotion market and the resulting higher ticket prices for fans have been dismissed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to comment on the matter.
In response, Live Nation expressed gratitude for the dismissal of claims related to concert promotions and booking markets. The company stated, “With those claims gone, we see no possible basis for breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The deficiencies we identified in the government’s monopoly power and conduct claims have not gone away, and we continue to believe that we will prevail in the end.”
Live Nation had requested a ruling from the judge without proceeding to trial. The federal government, along with approximately 30 state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging that Live Nation has illegally monopolized the live events industry.
According to the complaint, Live Nation controls over 265 concert venues across North America and manages more than 400 musical artists. The government claims that the company holds an astonishing 87% share of the concert ticketing market through its Ticketmaster subsidiary, as well as more than 65% of the concert promotion market.
Judge Subramanian noted that Live Nation “vastly overstated” the competitiveness of the ticketing market, stating that “the government plausibly paints a grim picture for new entrants.”
Despite this, Live Nation successfully had a significant claim regarding its concert promotion business dismissed. The DOJ and states had accused the company of monopolizing concert promotion services for “major concert venues.” However, Subramanian ruled that the evidence only supported a trivial conclusion that Live Nation and other market players often discuss promotion services in relation to some kind of venue, rather than the specific types mentioned in the lawsuit.
This ruling may reduce the likelihood of a breakup. Live Nation acquired Ticketmaster in 2010 following a contentious settlement with the federal government, and the DOJ and states are now seeking to unwind that deal.
The complaint argues that Live Nation’s actions in ticketing and concert promotions are “mutually reinforcing” in their efforts to dominate the live music industry. With the dismissal of the claims regarding concert promotion monopolization, the need for a breakup may be less compelling.
Nevertheless, the company’s influence in the promotions market remains relevant to the allegations of ticketing monopolization, leaving open the possibility for the DOJ to pursue the separation of the two businesses.
New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed her anticipation for the trial, stating, “Live Nation has used its monopoly to rig the live events industry to its benefit, driving up costs with higher ticket prices and outrageous fees. Regardless of the path that the Department of Justice takes, my office will continue this case and we will see Live Nation in court.”
The case is US v. Live Nation Entertainment, 24-cv-03973, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
Photo: Ticketmaster, the largest US ticketing company, merged with Live Nation, the biggest concert promoter, in 2010 after a lengthy antitrust investigation. Photographer: Scott Eells/Bloomberg
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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