Putting Fans First Act (No Ticket Resales Above Face Value), 2026

Summary#

• This bill changes Ontario’s Ticket Sales Act to ban reselling event tickets for more than their original price (face value).

• It applies to anyone reselling a ticket and to websites or apps that help resell tickets. It takes effect as soon as it becomes law.

• Key changes:

  • No one can list or sell a ticket on the secondary market for more than its face value.
  • The cap includes any fees or service charges. Taxes can be added on top.
  • Websites and apps cannot allow or facilitate listings above face value.
  • Technical updates are made to line up the rest of the law with this new rule.
  • The rule starts on the day the bill gets Royal Assent.

What it means for you#

• Buyers (fans)

  • You should not see legal listings above face value on resale sites or apps.
  • The total you pay (ticket price plus any fees) cannot be more than face value. HST can be added.
  • If a listing is over the cap, it would be unlawful under Ontario law.
  • You may need the original face value to judge if a listing is legal.

• Individual sellers (including season ticket holders)

  • You can still resell tickets, but only at or below face value (before tax).
  • Any fees charged by the platform count toward the cap. If platform fees push the total over face value, the sale is not allowed.
  • You may need to show or enter the ticket’s face value when listing it.

• Resale platforms and marketplaces

  • You must block or prevent listings that would put the buyer’s total (before tax) over face value.
  • Your service fees count toward the cap, so you may need to adjust pricing or listing rules.
  • Helping a sale that goes over the cap would break the law.

• Event organizers, teams, and venues

  • Primary (first) sales are not capped by this bill.
  • Clear display of face value will help buyers and sellers follow the rule.

Expenses#

Estimated government cost impact: No publicly available information.

• The bill sets a resale price cap but does not include new funding or cost estimates.
• Any enforcement or compliance costs would fall under the existing Ticket Sales Act systems.

Proponents' View#

• Puts fans first by stopping price gouging on hot events.
• Cuts profits for scalpers and reduces the incentive to use bots to grab large blocks of tickets.
• Makes the total price clearer and fairer, since platform fees must fit under face value.
• Helps more tickets stay affordable and available at the price set by the event.
• Creates a simple, bright-line rule that is easier for buyers to understand and report.

Opponents' View#

• May shrink the number of tickets available on regulated resale sites, pushing some sales to informal or overseas markets with fewer protections.
• Could be hard to enforce on out-of-province or international platforms and private person-to-person sales.
• Limits how fans who cannot attend can recover costs for high-demand games or concerts.
• Might reduce consumer choice and flexibility, especially close to showtime when prices sometimes fall on open markets.
• Platforms may cut services or buyer guarantees if fees must fit under face value.