SOCAN fees for amusement parks 2026–2028

Summary#

This item publishes SOCAN Tariff 12.B – Canada’s Wonderland and Similar Operations (2026-2028) by the Copyright Board in the Canada Gazette on September 20, 2025. It sets the fees that parks like Canada’s Wonderland must pay to play music in their venues during 2026–2028: $7.27 per 1,000 persons on days music is performed plus 1.5% of live music entertainment costs.

What it does#

• Sets a two-part royalty for playing works from SOCAN’s repertoire at amusement parks and similar operations for 2026–2028:
  • $7.27 per 1,000 persons in attendance on days when music is performed, with attendance rounded to the nearest 1,000; PLUS
  • 1.5% of “live music entertainment costs.”
• Defines “live music entertainment costs” as the direct amounts paid for live entertainment with music, and specifically excludes spending on stage props, lighting, set design, costumes, renovations, furniture and equipment.
• Requires estimate filings and part payments:
  • An estimate of attendance and live music costs must be filed with SOCAN no later than June 30 of the year, with 50% of the estimated royalties paid then.
  • The remaining estimated royalties must be paid by October 1.
• Requires a final, audited statement to be filed no later than the earlier of 30 days after the season closes or January 31 of the following year.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records on reasonable notice during normal business hours.
• Excludes concerts that charge a separate or additional admission fee from this tariff.
• Applies interest for late payments at a daily rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate published by the Bank of Canada on the last day of the previous month; interest does not compound.
• States that amounts are exclusive of any federal, provincial, or other taxes.

Who's affected#

• Operators of amusement parks and similar public entertainment venues (explicitly named: Canada’s Wonderland).
• Event promoters and businesses that organize live music inside those parks.
• SOCAN, as the music rights society that collects these royalties.
• Music performers and bands may be indirectly affected because this can influence how parks budget for live shows.
• It is not fully clear from the notice which smaller or atypical venues are included under “similar operations”; those operators may need to check the full tariff text or seek clarification.

Why it matters#

• Parks will face a predictable per-attendance fee plus a percentage of live-music spending. That raises their operating cost for live music.
• The costs could influence whether parks book live acts, how big those acts are, or whether ticket or admission prices change.
• The reporting, payment schedule, and audit right create an administrative obligation for park operators.
• The tariff treats separately ticketed concerts differently, so how events are priced can change whether this tariff applies.