In a move that’s music to the ears of concertgoers across the province, Ticketmaster Canada has officially announced its support for Ontario’s new legislation aimed at capping ticket resale prices. The move comes as the provincial government rolls out Bill 97, a landmark amendment to the Ticket Sales Act designed to put an end to the wild west of the secondary ticket market.
For years, fans have watched in frustration as tickets for high-profile events from the Blue Jays’ playoff runs to the Eras Tour vanished in seconds, only to reappear on resale sites for ten times their original value. Under the new provincial rules, it is now illegal to list a ticket for more than its all-in original purchase price, which includes the base face value plus all those pesky service fees and taxes.
Ticketmaster has already begun the process of delisting thousands of Ontario resale tickets that don’t meet the new price requirements. In a statement, the company called the bill an “important step” toward creating a more transparent and fair marketplace for true fans.
What Happens Next?
If you currently have tickets listed for sale on the platform, don’t be surprised if they’ve temporarily disappeared. Ticketmaster is currently in the middle of a massive digital overhaul to ensure its marketplace complies with the law.
The platform expects to have its new system up and running by next week. Once the updates are live, fans will be able to relist their tickets, but the price will be strictly capped at the original cost. This law applies to all major live events in Ontario, including concerts, theater performances, and sporting events.
With the FIFA World Cup arriving in the city soon and more major tours on the horizon, the timing couldn’t be better. While some experts worry the move might push scalpers toward less secure, third-party shady websites, the shift by the province’s largest ticket provider marks a major victory for the average fan’s wallet.
