Following the implementation of a new price cap, FIFA’s ticket resale marketplace for the World Cup no longer displays available seats for matches in Toronto.
The recent legislation in Ontario prohibits the resale of event tickets in the province for more than their face value, affecting both individuals and platforms.
FIFA has confirmed that it is adjusting its resale platform to adhere to the new law that took effect last Friday.
Listings for World Cup games in Toronto have not been removed but are currently on hold and expected to be relisted once the necessary system changes are completed.
Although FIFA’s marketplace still features listings for World Cup games in other host cities, Toronto is the only exception.
Ticketmaster has started pulling listings to comply with a new provincial law that caps ticket resales at face value. CBC’s Greg Ross breaks down why some experts are saying prices could increase as a result.
Meanwhile, StubHub, another resale platform, is still offering World Cup match tickets for Toronto above their face value.
As of Tuesday afternoon, StubHub had numerous tickets for Canada’s initial game against Bosnia-Herzegovina listed for thousands of dollars, with some lower bowl tickets priced at $72,705 each.
Last week, StubHub acknowledged that it had not yet met the requirements of the new Ontario legislation due to a lack of clear guidance.
Jack Sterne, a spokesperson for StubHub, stated that despite a positive discussion with Stephen Crawford, the minister of public and business service delivery, unresolved issues remain as they work towards compliance with Bill 97, the price cap law.
Sterne did not elaborate on the specific outstanding concerns.
Earlier Introduction of Price Cap Legislation
Giulia Paikin, a representative for Crawford, affirmed on Tuesday that the province is collaborating with StubHub to assist the company in aligning with the regulations.
Businesses failing to comply could face penalties starting at $3,000, escalating up to $250,000 for continuous non-compliance.
The Ford government proposed this legislation earlier in the year following public outcry over inflated resale prices for events like the World Series and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
The government emphasized that the resale cap aims to shield fans and consumers from unscrupulous resellers who drive up ticket prices artificially.
There are concerns that the new law could push event attendees towards informal markets, which are more susceptible to scams and could inflate original ticket prices.