Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. are finally getting their day in court. Nearly two years after the acquisition was announced, the grocery giants on Aug. 26 started a federal court hearing in Portland, Ore., on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s bid to block the $24.6 billion deal.

Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. have spent more than $800 million on fees paid to lawyers, bankers and advisers for their proposed merger.

The Federal Trade Commission, eight states and Washington, D.C., sued to block Kroger Co.’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos. on Feb. 26.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a group of states are poised to sue to block the tie-up between supermarkets Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., according to people familiar with the plans.

Colorado sued to block Kroger Co.’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos. in court Feb. 14, becoming the second state to challenge the deal.