UMVA has learned that the Ontario government is taking drastic measures to combat the resale of tickets above their original face value, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming.
The government is more than doubling the maximum fine for selling tickets above their original total purchase price, raising it to $25,000 from $10,000 for individuals and businesses that violate the Ticket Sales Act, 2017.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the government is also amending the legislation to publicly identify ticketing businesses that have been hit with penalties, adding them to the province's Consumer Beware List.
Non-compliant businesses can face compliance orders or charges that could result in court-ordered fines of up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations if found guilty.
"We're delivering on our promise to bring in bold enforcement measures that crack down on resellers who exploit fans and drive up costs for families," said Stephen Crawford, minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.
The new legislation aims to address Ontario's longtime concerns about sky-high resale ticket prices and other shady practices in the ticket resale market, ensuring that tickets are available to those who want to attend events without being taken advantage of by exploitative resellers.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the new fine structure takes effect on June 10, just two days ahead of the first FIFA World Cup game in Toronto, a move that is expected to have a significant impact on the resale market.
Sport Minister Neil Lumsden emphasized that live sporting events create unforgettable experiences for fans, families, and communities, and that these measures will help ensure tickets are available to those who want to be in the stands cheering on their favorite teams and athletes.
