The Justice Department is launching a high-stakes antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, seeking to force a breakup of the entertainment giants. The trial begins Monday, marking a pivotal moment in the government's effort to dismantle what it views as an anticompetitive monopoly in live event ticketing and promotion.

For years, the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger has faced mounting criticism from artists, fans, and lawmakers over alleged price gouging and limited competition. The Justice Department argues that combining the world's largest concert promoter with the dominant ticketing platform has harmed consumers through higher fees and reduced choices. This trial represents the most aggressive government action against the combined entity since its formation.

The outcome could reshape the entire live entertainment industry, potentially forcing Live Nation to spin off Ticketmaster or face other structural remedies. Industry observers say the case tests how aggressively the government will enforce antitrust laws against powerful tech-enabled companies. A breakup would create two separate entities for concert promotion and ticketing services, fundamentally altering how millions of fans purchase tickets to concerts and events.