Live Nation-Ticketmaster Antitrust Trial Begins, Allegations of Monopoly Dominate
New York – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a coalition of 39 states began a landmark antitrust trial against Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, on Tuesday, March 2, 2026, alleging the companies have illegally monopolized the live concert industry. The trial, unfolding in federal court in New York, is expected to last six weeks.
The DOJ’s Case: A Broken System
David Dahlquist, an attorney with the DOJ’s antitrust division, asserted in his opening statement that the concert ticket industry is “broken” due to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s dominance. The government contends that the companies’ control over ticketing, concert promotion, venues and artist management has led to inflated prices for consumers, limited opportunities for artists, and reduced choices for venues. The lawsuit, initially filed in 2024, aims to finish the alleged monopoly and foster a more competitive marketplace.1
Live Nation’s Defense: A Thriving Industry
David Marriott, representing Live Nation and Ticketmaster, disputed the government’s claims, stating the companies do not possess monopoly power. He highlighted that Live Nation facilitated access to live events for 159 million people in 2025, featuring 11,000 artists across 55,000 concerts. Marriott argued that artists and teams, not Live Nation, ultimately set ticket prices and control sales. He also challenged the DOJ’s figures regarding revenue, claiming the $7 per ticket fee cited by the government is inaccurate, with Ticketmaster actually receiving $5 and clearing less than $2 after expenses.
A History of Scrutiny
Ticketmaster has faced criticism for years, with frustrations over ticket purchasing experiences reaching a boiling point in November 2022 during the presale for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. The website crash, attributed to a combination of high fan demand and bot activity, prompted congressional hearings and legislative efforts to protect consumers.2 Concerns about Ticketmaster’s practices date back further, with Pearl Jam publicly challenging the company in 1994, prior to the merger with Live Nation.
Key Allegations and Practices Under Scrutiny
- Long-Term Contracts: The DOJ alleges Live Nation uses long-term contracts (five to seven years) with venues to prevent them from choosing rival ticketing services.
- Control Over the Ecosystem: The lawsuit claims Live Nation’s interconnected roles as ticketer, promoter, artist manager, and venue owner create a feedback loop that drives up fees and allows the company to profit from multiple sides of transactions.
- Dominant Market Share: Live Nation controls approximately 80% of major concert venues’ ticketing and a growing share of the resale market.2
What’s at Stake
The outcome of this trial could significantly reshape the live entertainment industry. A ruling against Live Nation and Ticketmaster could lead to a breakup of the company, increased competition in ticketing and promotion, and potentially lower prices for consumers. The case also has implications for artists and venues, who could benefit from a more level playing field.3 California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also laid out the case against Live Nation, seeking to restore competition and secure financial compensation for overcharged fans.4