The United States Department of Justice's antitrust case against Live Nation is scheduled for a jury trial beginning March 2, 2026, according to Judge Arun Subramanian's recent scheduling order.

The lawsuit, joined by the District of Columbia and multiple state attorneys-general, accuses Live Nation of monopolistic practices in the live events industry. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland states that these practices have resulted in higher fees for fans, fewer opportunities for artists, and reduced competition among promoters and venues.

Key allegations include:

• Anticompetitive arrangements with Oak View Group to avoid talent bidding wars
• Blocking TEG's U.S. expansion by interfering with their StubHub ticketing partnership
• Pressuring venues to use Ticketmaster by threatening to withhold top tours
• Denying artists access to Live Nation venues if they use other promoters

Live Nation denies these allegations and is seeking to move the case from New York to Washington, DC, citing the 2010 consent decree that allowed the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger. However, Judge Subramanian appears inclined to keep the case in New York.

Important dates:

• July 19, 2024: Deadline for venue change motions
• July 25, 2024: Discovery begins
• October 30, 2025: Discovery completion deadline
• March 2, 2026: Tentative trial start date

The Department of Justice seeks to reverse the 2010 merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, though the trial date may shift due to the case's complexity.

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