FIFA’s ticket resale platform for the World Cup games in Toronto has removed all listings following the implementation of a new price restriction last week. The legislation in Ontario prohibits the resale of event tickets for more than their face value by individuals and platforms. FIFA is currently adjusting its resale system to comply with the new law that was enacted on Friday. While listings for Toronto matches have not been deleted, they are temporarily on hold and are expected to be reinstated once the necessary system modifications are completed. Despite the removal of Toronto listings, FIFA’s ticket resale marketplace still features listings for World Cup matches in all other host cities.
Meanwhile, StubHub, another resale platform, is still offering tickets for World Cup matches in Toronto at prices above face value. As of Tuesday, StubHub had numerous tickets for Canada’s initial game against Bosnia-Herzegovina listed for thousands of dollars, with some lower bowl tickets priced as high as $72,705 each. Last week, StubHub acknowledged its non-compliance with the new Ontario legislation due to a lack of clear guidance. The company’s spokesperson, Jack Sterne, mentioned ongoing issues even after a recent discussion with Stephen Crawford, the minister of public and business service delivery. Sterne stated that StubHub is updating its systems to adhere to Bill 97, the price cap law, but did not elaborate on the specific challenges faced.
Earlier this year, the Ford government introduced the price cap legislation in response to public outrage over exorbitant resale prices for events like the World Series and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour. The legislation aims to protect fans and consumers from inflated ticket prices set by professional resellers. Non-compliant businesses could face penalties starting at $3,000, escalating up to $250,000 for continued violations. The province is collaborating with StubHub to ensure compliance with the new regulations. While some support the legislation for safeguarding consumers, others express concerns that it could drive ticket sales into informal markets, potentially leading to scams and higher original ticket prices.
