Full Breakdown
Ontario Caps Ticket Resale Prices at Face Value, Prompting Platform Overhaul
4/28/2026, 3:00:56 AM
Legislative Background and Timeline
Ontario’s 2026 budget bill (Bill 97) amended the 2017 Ticket Sales Act to forbid any resale of concert, sport or cultural tickets above the all-in purchase price, including fees. The amendment took effect on 24 April, with penalties ranging from $3,000 to $250,000. Ticketmaster began delisting Ontario listings the same day; StubHub and SeatGeek said they would relist tickets after system updates, expected in early May.
Key Figures and Official Responses
Press secretary Giulia Paikin confirmed that FIFA will be subject to the cap with no exemptions. Ticketmaster spokesperson Shabnum Durrani said is notifying users, has removed over-priced listings and will allow relisting once its marketplace is updated. StubHub policy head Jack Sterne said it will work with Ontario but needs clearer guidance. SeatGeek vice-president Joe Freeman noted SeatGeek is reviewing law and will continue to advocate for outcomes.
Data and Statistics
Resale tickets for the 2023 World Series in Toronto averaged over $2,300, a key driver of the cap. Ontario’s enforcement framework cites fines from $3,000 up to $250,000 for repeat violations, with some officials mentioning $10,000 as a benchmark.
Industry Criticism
StubHub warned caps could push sales to unregulated sites like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace, where fraud rates are reportedly higher. SeatGeek echoed risk, arguing caps do not lower fan costs but shift transactions off regulated platforms. Rotman School professor Richard Powers said the cap “eliminates any incentive for reselling platforms…to keep operating,” questioning the model. Consumer Choice Center’s Jay Goldberg cautioned the rule could expand Ticketmaster’s market share and raise ticket prices.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on whether Bill 97 had received royal assent at the time of reporting; some describe the law as already in force, others note it was pending. Reported fines also vary, with $10,000, $3,000 and up to $250,000 cited. The exact compliance timeline for platforms, especially StubHub, remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We remain committed to creating a fair and secure ticket marketplace for everyone in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,” — Shabnum Durrani, Ticketmaster spokesperson
- “FIFA will be subject to the cap, no exemptions,” — Giulia Paikin, press secretary for Minister Stephen Crawford
- “This price cap helps the Ticketmaster monopoly, allowing them to consolidate power and raise prices on Ontario’s fans.” — Jack Sterne, StubHub head of policy communications
Outlook
Ticketmaster expects to reopen its resale marketplace in early May after system updates. Ontario officials will monitor compliance during the FIFA World Cup, with potential enforcement actions against platforms that fail to delist over-priced tickets. Observers note the cap’s long-term impact will depend on enforcement rigor and whether secondary-market operators can adapt.
