SOCAN Tariff for Theme Parks (2026–2028)

Summary#

The Copyright Board has published SOCAN Tariff 12.B – Canada’s Wonderland and Similar Operations (2026-2028) on September 20, 2025. It sets the fees that parks and similar venues must pay for music performed on their premises during the years 2026 to 2028.

What it does#

• Establishes two parts to the royalty for music performances at parks:
  • $7.27 per 1 000 persons in attendance on days when music is played (attendance is rounded to the nearest 1 000).
  • 1.5% of what the tariff calls “live music entertainment costs.”
• Defines “live music entertainment costs” as direct payments for live entertainment. It excludes spending on stage props, lighting, set design and costumes, and spending on renovations, expansions, furniture or equipment.
• Requires reporting and payments during each year:
  • An estimate and 50% payment due by June 30 of the year.
  • The remaining estimate due by October 1.
  • A final, audited statement due within 30 days of season close or by January 31 of the following year (whichever is earlier).
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books to check attendance and costs.
• Excludes concerts that charge a separate or additional admission fee from this tariff.
• Applies interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada) effective on the last day of the previous month; interest does not compound.
• States that the amounts do not include taxes.

Who's affected#

• Amusement and theme parks and similar operations that play music on their premises and do not charge a separate ticket for individual concerts — for example Canada’s Wonderland and comparable parks.
• Park operators who host live music and pay for live entertainment (they must report attendance and costs and make payments to SOCAN).
• Event promoters or venues that charge separate concert admission are not covered by this tariff for those ticketed concerts.

Why it matters#

• Parks that play recorded or live music will face a clear, predictable fee: a small per-person charge plus a percentage of live-music spending. That can affect budgeting for parks and for live entertainment programming.
• The reporting and audit rules mean operators need records of attendance and entertainment costs for each year.
• The tariff helps ensure songwriters and performers represented by SOCAN are paid when their music is played at these venues.