Ontario residents hoping for relief from exorbitant ticket prices may soon notice a change, as the provincial government proposes a ban on the resale of event tickets for more than their original cost. The move, announced Friday by Premier Doug Ford, aims to curb what many fans and industry observers describe as a predatory resale market. But while welcomed by those who’ve been burned by inflated prices, the proposed legislation is also sparking debate about the root causes of high ticket costs and whether this measure addresses the core of the problem. The issue of ticket resale has been a long-standing frustration for music and sports fans in the province, and this latest development represents a significant shift in the government’s approach to the issue.
The impetus for the change is clear in the experience of Michael Brown, a Toronto Blue Jays fan who inadvertently paid a steep premium for tickets to a World Series game last fall. Brown recounted to CBC Toronto how a glitch on Ticketmaster led him to purchase resale tickets at more than three times the expected price – a total of $5,043 for a set of four tickets he anticipated would cost $1,380. “We immediately contacted Ticketmaster to try and cancel the transaction. They said that there was nothing that could be done,” Brown said. Stories like his highlight the vulnerability of consumers navigating the often-opaque world of online ticket sales.
This isn’t the first time the Ford government has attempted to regulate ticket resales. In 2019, however, a previous effort to cap resales at 50 per cent above face value was scrapped, a decision that drew criticism from consumer advocates. The reversal left a void in consumer protection, allowing prices to soar unchecked. Now, with the proposed changes to the 2017 Ticket Sales Act, the province is revisiting the issue with a more stringent approach, aiming to eliminate profit from resale altogether.
A Step in the Right Direction, But Not a Complete Solution
The initial reaction to the proposed changes has been largely positive, particularly among fans who have felt the sting of inflated resale prices. Slater Manzo, a Toronto-based music producer and frequent concertgoer, expressed optimism that the new rules would improve access to live events. “It’s a little too late,” Manzo told CBC Toronto, referencing the frenzy surrounding events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, where resale prices reached astronomical levels. “Especially when you think about something like Taylor [Swift’s Eras Tour], where the ticket gouging was crazy.” However, Manzo also pointed out that even before resale, concert tickets are becoming increasingly expensive, citing a $230 per-ticket price tag for a Lady Gaga concert last September as an example of the rising cost of live entertainment.
Industry professionals echo this sentiment. Jonathan Bunce, executive and artistic director at Wavelength Music, a Toronto-based non-profit concert promoter, agrees that capping resale prices is a positive step, but insufficient on its own. “Capping ticket resale is a really quality first step, but it won’t fix affordability on its own,” he told CBC Toronto. Bunce highlighted the practice of dynamic pricing – where ticket prices fluctuate based on demand – as a significant contributor to high costs, even before tickets hit the resale market. “The real issue is how tickets are priced and who controls the system in the first place,” he said.
The Dominance of Ticketmaster and Live Nation
A recurring theme in the discussion is the perceived monopoly held by Ticketmaster and Live Nation, the dominant players in the ticket sales industry. Guillaume Moffet, owner of Friends & Family co., an artist development and talent management company, believes that addressing this market concentration is crucial to achieving lasting affordability. “On the surface, [the province’s plan] gives the general population something to latch onto, but it doesn’t address the true problem,” he told CBC Toronto. Moffet fears that the ban on resales above face value may simply shift the cost burden elsewhere, leading to higher base ticket prices and increased service fees.
The concerns about Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s market power are not new. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, alleging that the company illegally maintains a monopoly over the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit claims that Live Nation uses its control over ticketing and venue management to stifle competition and harm consumers. While the case is ongoing, it underscores the broader debate about the demand for greater competition in the live events market.
Hopeful Signs for Smaller Venues
Despite the concerns about broader systemic issues, the proposed changes are being welcomed by smaller venues like the El Mocambo in Toronto. Executive director Mike Chalut described the move as “a real celebratory moment for live music and live events.” He explained that inflated resale prices can discourage fans from attending shows, ultimately harming the live music ecosystem. “When resale prices climb far beyond face value, it risks turning fans off of live shows,” Chalut said. He hopes the new regulations will make live events more accessible and allow audiences to focus on the experience itself. “Let’s focus on the art again. Let’s focus on the artists,” said Chalut.
The proposed legislation also aims to strengthen requirements against the sale of fake tickets and to curb unfair service charges, addressing additional concerns raised by consumers. CBC Toronto reached out to Ticketmaster Canada and Live Nation for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.
The Ontario government is expected to continue discussions and refine the proposed changes to the Ticket Sales Act in the coming weeks. The next step will involve public consultations and potential amendments before the legislation is place to a vote. Fans and industry stakeholders will be closely watching the process, hoping for a solution that truly addresses the challenges of ticket affordability and accessibility.
The debate over ticket prices is far from over, but this latest move by the Ontario government signals a growing recognition of the need for greater consumer protection in the live events market. Share your thoughts on the proposed changes and how they might impact your experience attending concerts and sporting events in the comments below.
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