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Federal Judge Weighs Live Nation’s Bid to End Antitrust Case

By  |  January 25, 2026

Live Nation Entertainment saw its stock climb sharply Friday, rising 5.8% after a federal court hearing wrapped up without an immediate decision on the company’s effort to dismiss a major antitrust lawsuit.

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    The hearing took place in Manhattan before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian and concluded without the judge announcing a ruling, according to MSN. Court observers noted that Judge Subramanian did not give any indication of when he plans to decide on the matter, per MSN.

    Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, is attempting to have the case resolved through summary judgment. If granted, this would end the government’s lawsuit or allow the dispute to be decided by the court without going to a jury trial. Investors appeared encouraged by the lack of an immediate adverse decision, helping push the stock higher by the close of trading, according to MSN.

    Related: Ticketmaster Challenges FTC Lawsuit, Says Anti-Bot Law Targets Resellers

    The legal battle stems from a 2024 lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice along with more than two dozen states. The government is seeking to dismantle Live Nation’s structure, arguing that the company has built an illegal monopoly in the live entertainment industry. Regulators claim this dominance allows the firm to control major parts of the concert and ticketing markets and results in higher prices for consumers.

    Live Nation has denied the allegations and is pressing to have the case thrown out before it moves forward. Friday’s hearing marked a key step in that effort, though the final outcome remains uncertain.

    Until the judge issues a ruling, the future of the case — and the broader impact on the live events industry — remains unresolved, according to MSN.

    Source: MSN