Ticketmaster has started removing resale tickets for events in Ontario to adhere to a new provincial law that limits the price of such tickets to face value. The platform’s representative, Shabnum Durrani, mentioned that customers will have the option to relist their tickets next week once the resale marketplace is updated. Durrani emphasized Ticketmaster’s commitment to maintaining a fair and secure ticket marketplace in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, noting that customers have been informed of the changes.
This action follows the passage of the budget bill by the Ontario government, which included the imposition of a cap on resale ticket prices. The bill received royal assent recently. The introduction of the price cap was prompted by consumer grievances regarding resellers acquiring tickets for popular events, such as 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 announced by the government last month after the Premier’s pledge to review legislation in response to exorbitant World Series resale ticket prices in Toronto. Despite initial opposition, StubHub stated its intent to comply with the law and seek further guidance from the province. SeatGeek, on the other hand, is reviewing the legislation to determine its course of action and aims to advocate for favorable outcomes for fans.
Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of price caps on ticket resale platforms and fans. While some view the law as a positive step, others worry about potential monopolistic practices by major companies like Ticketmaster. The effectiveness of the law will hinge on enforcement measures, with questions remaining about the sufficiency of proposed fines as deterrents for non-compliance.
Overall, the implementation and implications of the new law on ticket resale in Ontario remain subjects of ongoing debate and scrutiny.