Ticketmaster has started removing resale tickets for Ontario events to adhere to a new provincial regulation that limits the price of such tickets to their original face value. According to Ticketmaster’s representative, Shabnum Durrani, customers will have the opportunity to repost their tickets once the platform updates its resale marketplace next week. Durrani emphasized Ticketmaster’s dedication to establishing a fair and safe ticket marketplace for everyone in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and mentioned that customers have been informed about the changes.
The enforcement of the price cap follows concerns raised by consumers regarding resellers acquiring tickets for high-demand events, like last year’s World Series and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, and reselling them at significantly inflated prices. Changes to the 2017 Ticket Sales Act were introduced by the government last month after Premier Doug Ford vowed to review legislation due to the exorbitant resale prices of World Series tickets in Toronto. The recent amendments received royal assent after the passage of the budget bill by the Ontario government.
Although tickets for FIFA World Cup events in Toronto were expected to be exempt from the resale cap, a statement from the minister of public and business service delivery and procurement clarified that the cap would indeed apply to the sporting event. StubHub and SeatGeek, two prominent resale platforms, expressed their compliance with the law despite their opposition to the price cap. StubHub’s spokesperson highlighted concerns about potential ticket fraud due to price caps, while SeatGeek stated they are reviewing the legislation to advocate for favorable outcomes for fans.
SeatGeek communicated with its customers about the potential impact of the change on their ability to buy and sell tickets for live events. The company encouraged users to participate in a survey regarding the resale cap on the Ontario government website. Gametime refrained from commenting, awaiting further clarification on the rule.
While some experts view the new law as a positive step towards fair ticket pricing, others raise concerns about the impact on resale platforms like StubHub. The law’s effectiveness will rely on enforcement measures, including possible fines for non-compliance. The debate continues on whether the law will effectively address concerns related to ticket resale practices in Ontario.