Ticketmaster Canada customers impacted by recent class-action litigation may soon receive electronic gift cards valued at approximately $45 each. This payout is part of a significant $6 million settlement approved by the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench. The class-action lawsuit was initiated by Crystal Watch against Ticketmaster, Ticketmaster Canada, and parent company Live Nation Entertainment Inc., following revelations of undisclosed non-optional fees added during ticket purchases—a practice commonly referred to as "drip pricing."
Watch and her legal team argued this tactic violated the Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act, alleging Ticketmaster misled consumers by failing to display final costs until later stages of the checkout process. Despite denying any allegations of wrongdoing, Ticketmaster agreed to the settlement, which has now gained judicial approval. According to CBC, Watch is slated to receive $25,000 as part of the settlement, which capped the fees for legal counsel at $1.725 million.
Justice Graeme Mitchell noted, "While this case does not involve a mega-settlement, it has proved to be a legitimate consumer protection lawsuit which could only have been viably prosecuted as a class action." He emphasized the importance of compensatory measures for affected consumers, with estimates indicating up to 100,000 individuals within Saskatchewan, and potentially over 1 million across Canada, could qualify for credits.
Eligibility for the payout is restricted to individuals who purchased tickets between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2018—a narrow window which the courts determined necessary for the class. Eligible customers will receive their credits through electronic gift cards, which are transferable, but cannot exceed $45. The credits can be used for primary sale tickets, parking, VIP packages, and select merchandise on the Ticketmaster website or mobile app, but they are not usable for Major League Baseball tickets or resale tickets.
To facilitate access, Ticketmaster will notify eligible users via email with detailed instructions on how to redeem their voucher. Those who do not receive this notification should contact the firm led by Regina lawyer Tony Merchant, which represented the plaintiffs, for guidance. Although the claims window has yet to open, customers are advised to stay vigilant as more information becomes available.
While the settlement addresses specific grievances, it points to broader concerns involving Ticketmaster’s pricing practices. This is not the first time the company has faced scrutiny over misleading pricing. Back in 2019, the Competition Bureau of Canada imposed a $4 million fine on Ticketmaster over similar accusations, determining its advertised prices were misleading due to mandatory fees added late in the purchasing process. Commissioner Matthew Boswell stated, "Canadians should be able to trust the prices advertised are the ones they will pay when purchasing tickets online."
The recent settlement also highlights the issue of drip pricing—a tactic where the initial price appears attractive until additional fees inflate the final cost. Consumers have increasingly voiced frustration over such hidden costs, encouraging regulators to seek transparency from ticket vendors. The need for greater clarity has not gone unnoticed, with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission recently adopting new regulations, effective May 2025, mandatorily requiring clearer fee disclosures.
Supporters of the class action assert it serves as another step toward holding Ticketmaster accountable to consumers. The concluding analysis of the case positions the settlement not only as financial compensation for ticket purchasers but as part of the larger narrative advocating for consumer rights and fair practices within the ticketing industry.
Once the distribution process is completed, any remaining funds from the settlement will be rerouted to organizations chosen by Ticketmaster and the plaintiff, with final approval from the courts. A debt of vigilance remains for consumers who have had negative experiences with ticket pricing practices and who deserve straightforward interactions with ticket vendors.