SOCAN music fees for exhibitions and fairs

Summary#

On December 13, 2025, the Copyright Board published the SOCAN Tariff 5.A – Exhibitions and Fairs (2025-2027). It sets the fees that event organizers must pay to play music from SOCAN’s repertoire at exhibitions and fairs during 2025–2027.

What it does#

• Sets a two-part fee system for playing SOCAN music at an exhibition or fair. Attendance counts exclude exhibitors and staff.
• For events with total attendance up to 75,000 people, the tariff sets a flat daily fee depending on attendance:
  • Up to 25,000 persons: $18.01 per day
  • 25,001 to 50,000 persons: $36.22 per day
  • 50,001 to 75,000 persons: $90.36 per day
• For events with total attendance over 75,000, the tariff charges per person in tiers:
  • For the first 100,000 persons: 1.51¢ per person
  • For the next 100,000 persons: 0.65¢ per person
  • For the next 300,000 persons: 0.50¢ per person
  • All additional persons: 0.37¢ per person
• Reporting and payment rules:
  • For exhibitions/fairs held yearly, fees are paid based on actual attendance in the previous year, due by January 31. The organizer must include attendance figures and the event duration with the payment.
  • For other events, organizers must report attendance and pay within 30 days after the event closes.
• Other conditions:
  • SOCAN may audit an organizer’s books on reasonable notice to verify attendance and payments.
  • The tariff does not apply to concerts at an exhibition or fair that charge a separate admission; those use Tariff 5.B.
  • Amounts are exclusive of taxes.
  • Late payments carry interest calculated daily at 1% above the Bank Rate published by the Bank of Canada on the last day of the previous month; interest does not compound.

Who's affected#

• Organizers and promoters of exhibitions, fairs, trade shows, and similar multi-day public events that play recorded or live music from SOCAN’s repertoire.
• Venues that host such events and that handle admissions or billing.
• Smaller events and annual fairs that need to use prior-year attendance to calculate fees.
• It is clear that concerts with separate admission are handled under Tariff 5.B, not this tariff.

Why it matters#

• The tariff determines a concrete music-licence cost that can affect event budgets and ticket prices.
• Small fairs pay a modest daily fee (as low as $18.01). Large events will pay on a per-person basis, which can add up at high attendance levels.
• Organizers need to collect and keep accurate attendance records, meet reporting deadlines, and be ready for possible audits to avoid interest charges.
• If you run or plan an exhibition or fair, check whether the event’s music falls under this tariff or Tariff 5.B (for separately ticketed concerts).