A new proposal from the province aims to curb excessive ticket resale prices, but some industry insiders say it’s only a partial solution to the problem of live event affordability.
New Rules Proposed
On Friday, the provincial government proposed changes to the 2017 Ticket Sales Act that would prohibit the resale of live event tickets for more than their original cost. The announcement was made via news release and social media posts by Premier Doug Ford. This comes after the Ford government previously scrapped a rule in 2019 that would have capped resales at 50 percent above face value.
The proposed changes also seek to strengthen requirements against the sale of fake tickets and create new policies to limit unfair service charges.
Fan Experiences Highlight the Problem
The move comes after stories of exorbitant resale prices have surfaced. Michael Brown, a Toronto Blue Jays fan, recounted to CBC Toronto how a glitch on Ticketmaster led him to accidentally purchase resale tickets for $5,043 – more than three times the $1,380 he expected to pay for four tickets to a World Series game. Brown said Ticketmaster was unable to cancel the transaction.
Concerns Remain About Affordability
While many welcome the changes, some believe they don’t go far enough. Slater Manzo, a Toronto-based music producer, expressed optimism but noted the move was “a little too late,” particularly considering the high prices seen during events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Manzo noted he and friends paid $230 each for Lady Gaga tickets last September, even before considering resale markups.
Jonathan Bunce, executive and artistic director at Wavelength Music, agreed, stating that capping resale is “a really good first step, but it won’t fix affordability on its own.” He pointed to dynamic pricing as a factor driving up initial costs. Guillaume Moffet, owner of Friends & Family co., echoed this sentiment, suggesting the province’s plan addresses a symptom rather than the root cause.
However, Mike Chalut, executive director at El Mocambo, called the proposed changes “a real celebratory moment for live music and live events,” hoping they will make shows more accessible to fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the province proposing?
The province is proposing changes to the 2017 Ticket Sales Act to prohibit the resale of live event tickets for more than their original cost.
What happened with a previous attempt to regulate ticket resales?
In 2019, the Ford government scrapped an anti-scalping rule that would have capped ticket resales at 50 per cent above face value.
What are some concerns about the new proposal?
Some industry insiders believe the changes don’t address the underlying issue of high initial ticket prices and the control exerted by dominant players in the ticketing industry.
As the province considers these changes, will they be enough to make live events more accessible to fans, or will deeper systemic issues continue to drive up costs?
