Ontario fines SeatGeek Canada $25,000 for ticket resale violations
Ontario recently imposed a $25,000 administrative penalty on SeatGeek Canada for breaching multiple regulations of the Ticket Sales Act, 2017. The company was found guilty of reselling event tickets above their original all-inclusive purchase price, which is prohibited under the law.
This penalty is the highest permissible amount under new enforcement protocols introduced in the provincial budget of 2026. It signifies one of the initial significant measures taken as part of Ontario’s intensified efforts to combat ticket price inflation and protect consumers from exploitation.
The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement disclosed that SeatGeek Canada received the penalty after a scrutiny conducted on Aug. 5.
Following an official assessment on Aug. 28, the company was formally fined $25,000 for a range of violations, including the failure to ensure resale prices stayed within the original all-in price limit of $10,000, neglecting to disclose the initial total purchase cost of $10,000, and enabling resale transactions without verifying the original purchase price, resulting in a $5,000 penalty.
Although SeatGeek had the option to appeal the decision within 15 days to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the company chose not to pursue it. As per the provincial directive, SeatGeek is now obligated to settle the full penalty amount within 30 days of receiving the notice.
According to the Ticket Sales Act of the province, reselling tickets above their original all-inclusive price, which encompasses taxes, fees, and service charges, is unlawful. Moreover, platforms that facilitate such transactions are also in violation of the law.
