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DOJ Accuses Live Nation of Running Illegal Concert Industry Monopoly at Trial Opening

By  |  March 3, 2026

Federal prosecutors opened their case Tuesday in Manhattan accusing Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster subsidiary of illegally leveraging their dominance in the live music business to stifle competition and harm fans.

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    An attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice told jurors that the company used its influence across concert promotion, venue ownership and ticketing services to maintain monopolies in key segments of the industry. According to Reuters, the trial marks a significant escalation in the government’s effort to rein in the entertainment giant’s business practices.

    The lawsuit, filed in 2024 by the DOJ along with attorneys general from New York, 38 other states and Washington, D.C., alleges that Live Nation’s conduct has distorted competition across live event markets. Prosecutors argue the company’s practices have disadvantaged artists, venues and concertgoers alike.

    “Today, the concert ticket industry is broken, in fact the concert industry itself is broken. It is controlled by a monopolist. It is controlled by Live Nation,” DOJ attorney David Dahlquist told the jury.

    Per a report to Reuters, the government contends that Live Nation holds unlawful monopolies in certain venue management and ticketing markets. If successful, the DOJ could push for structural remedies, including forcing the company to divest Ticketmaster or overhaul its contractual arrangements. State officials involved in the case are also seeking financial relief for consumers.

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    Related: Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger Faces Antitrust Showdown in Federal Court

    Live Nation has rejected the accusations, describing them as unfounded. “The outcome of this trial will do nothing to lower ticket prices for fans or address the industry issues they care about most,” a company spokesperson said.

    The case is expected to feature testimony from high-profile figures in the music business. According to Reuters, singer Kid Rock and Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons are among those slated to appear, along with executives from competing ticketing companies and venue operators such as Madison Square Garden.

    Prosecutors allege that Live Nation required performers to use its promotion services as a condition for booking shows at amphitheaters the company owns. They also claim Ticketmaster secured its dominant position in ticketing through long-term exclusive agreements and by pressuring major venues to work solely with its platform, according to Reuters.

    U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian recently dismissed several claims from the lawsuit but declined Live Nation’s request to halt the proceedings while it pursued an appeal.

    Separately, the Federal Trade Commission has launched its own legal challenge against Ticketmaster. That case accuses the company of failing to curb rule-breaking ticket resellers who allegedly inflate prices at the expense of fans, per a report to Reuters.

    Source: Reuters