Ontario Caps Ticket Resales: Fans & Industry Weigh In

Ontario Proposes Crackdown on Ticket Resales, But Will It Solve the Problem?

Toronto music and sports fans are reacting to a proposed change in Ontario law that would ban the resale of event tickets for more than their original price. The move, announced Friday by Premier Doug Ford, aims to curb exorbitant ticket costs that have plagued fans for years, but some industry insiders say it’s only a partial solution to a larger issue of affordability and market control. The proposed changes to the 2017 Ticket Sales Act also seek to strengthen rules against fake tickets and limit unfair service charges.

Michael Brown, a Toronto Blue Jays fan, shared his experience with CBC Toronto, detailing how a glitch on Ticketmaster led him to pay over three times the expected price for World Series tickets last fall – $5,043 for tickets he anticipated would cost $1,380. Stories like Brown’s are fueling the push for reform, though the province previously scrapped a similar attempt to cap resales in 2019.

Although many fans applaud the initiative, concerns remain about the underlying factors driving up ticket prices in the first place.

Fans Welcome the Change, But Recall Past Gouging

Slater Manzo, a Toronto-based music producer and frequent concertgoer, expressed optimism that the new rules will improve access to live events. However, he lamented that the changes weren’t implemented sooner, particularly during high-demand events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Manzo noted that even before resale markups, concert tickets are becoming increasingly expensive, citing a $230 price tag for Lady Gaga tickets last September.

Jonathan Bunce, executive and artistic director at Wavelength Music, a Toronto-based non-profit concert and festival organizer, echoed this sentiment, stating that capping resale prices is “a really good first step, but it won’t fix affordability on its own.” He pointed to dynamic pricing – where ticket prices fluctuate based on demand – as a contributing factor to initial price inflation.

The Issue of Market Control

A recurring theme among industry insiders is the concern over the dominance of Ticketmaster and Live Nation in the live event ticketing market. Guillaume Moffet, owner of Friends & Family co., a talent management company, believes the proposed changes address a symptom rather than the root cause. “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 without addressing the broader market structure, prices may simply shift elsewhere, manifesting as higher base ticket prices or increased hidden fees. He suggests the core issue is the lack of competition and the control exerted by a single entity over the ticketing process.

Smaller Venues See Potential Benefits

The proposed changes are viewed more favorably by smaller venues. Mike Chalut, executive director of the El Mocambo, a Toronto music venue, described the announcement as “a real celebratory moment for live music and live events.” He believes that curbing excessive resale prices will support ensure that fans aren’t priced out of attending shows, allowing them to focus on the experience itself.

Chalut hopes the changes will encourage a return to prioritizing the art and the artists, rather than the financial burden of securing tickets. He believes that when resale prices soar, it can deter fans from attending live events altogether.

What’s in the Proposed Changes?

Beyond capping resale prices at face value, the Ontario government is also looking to strengthen measures against the sale of counterfeit tickets and address concerns about excessive service charges. Details regarding the specific enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violating the new rules were not fully outlined in the initial announcement. The province’s plan builds on previous efforts to regulate the ticket resale market, including the 2017 Ticket Sales Act, which aimed to increase transparency and protect consumers.

A History of Ticket Resale Regulation in Ontario

Ontario has a history of attempting to regulate the ticket resale market. In 2019, the Ford government reversed a previous decision to cap resales at 50 per cent above face value. This latest proposal represents a shift back towards stricter controls, responding to growing public pressure and concerns about affordability. The initial 2017 legislation aimed to address issues of transparency and consumer protection, but critics argued it didn’t go far enough to tackle the problem of inflated prices.