Toronto Blue Jays supporters are encountering difficulties obtaining tickets for the anticipated World Series showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fans flooded Ticketmaster in hopes of purchasing tickets, but face value options were swiftly snatched up, leaving only high-priced resale tickets available. Greg Overmonds shared his experience of joining the queue early but still ending up far back in line. Despite his efforts, he could only find a resale ticket for $1,600, exceeding his budget.
For those willing to splurge, Ticketmaster’s verified resale platform offers tickets for all four Toronto games. Prices vary, with the cheapest tickets for Game 1 starting at over $1,300 in the 500s section. Premium seats behind home base range from $3,600 to over $8,000, and the most expensive seats are priced above $10,000 each.
Vass Bednar from the Canadian SHIELD Institute noted how digital systems have transformed ticket purchasing, with major corporations now handling every sale, including resales. While Ticketmaster has a face-value exchange policy to prevent exorbitant resale prices, enforcement relies on artists opting to utilize the policy.
Ticketmaster has pledged to curb scalpers and unauthorized reselling, following legal action from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. However, current legislation in Canada lacks comprehensive regulations to control ticket pricing, with few jurisdictions like Quebec imposing resale price caps. Ontario had previously attempted to cap resale prices but abandoned the effort due to enforceability concerns.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the need to address ticket pricing issues, expressing concern over companies monopolizing the market. Experts suggest implementing policies to limit resale prices or disclose original ticket values during resales to ensure fair practices. As ticket scarcity and high demand persist, the debate over ticket pricing fairness continues to gain traction.