A Canadian court has approved a $6 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against Ticketmaster, resolving allegations that the company engaged in deceptive pricing practices. The lawsuit accused Ticketmaster of using “drip pricing,” a technique where customers see a lower initial price, only to encounter hidden fees at checkout.
The settlement, finalized in January 2025, is set to compensate thousands of eligible customers who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster between January 1 and June 30, 2018.
Who Qualifies for the Settlement?
The settlement applies to Canadian customers who purchased tickets for events in Canada through Ticketmaster’s website or mobile app between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2018.
Eligibility Criteria:
You must have purchased a ticket for a Canadian event during the qualifying period. You must have paid additional fees that were not included in the initially advertised price. Residents of Quebec and Ticketmaster employees are excluded from the settlement.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive?
Eligible claimants will receive a Ticketmaster credit of up to $45, which can be used toward future ticket purchases.
Key Facts About the Compensation:
- The $45 credit is transferable and can be used for a one-time purchase.
- The credit does not expire.
- There is no cash payout; compensation will be issued as Ticketmaster credits.
- If you are eligible, you will receive an email notification with details on how to claim your credit.
Why Was Ticketmaster Sued?
The class-action lawsuit was filed by Crystal Watch, who accused Ticketmaster of violating consumer protection laws by misleading customers with pricing that did not reflect the final checkout cost.
The case was based on allegations of “drip pricing,” where customers are initially shown a lower price but additional fees are added later in the purchasing process.
While Ticketmaster did not admit wrongdoing, the company agreed to settle the case out of court.
How Will the $6 Million Settlement Be Distributed?
The settlement funds will be allocated as follows:
- $4.3 million – Compensation to eligible customers through Ticketmaster credits.
- $1.725 million – Legal fees and administrative costs.
- $25,000 – Honorarium for Crystal Watch, the lead plaintiff.
How to Claim Your Ticketmaster Credit
If you are eligible for the settlement, you should receive an email notification from Ticketmaster with instructions on how to claim your credit. If you believe you are eligible but have not received an email, follow these steps:
Steps to Claim Your Compensation:
- Check your email inbox for a message from Ticketmaster regarding the settlement.
- Log in to your Ticketmaster account and navigate to the “Settlement Credits” section.
- Follow the instructions to activate and use your credit.
- If you do not receive an email, contact the class action administrators for assistance.
What This Means for Ticketmaster Customers
This settlement highlights the growing legal scrutiny over hidden fees in online purchases, particularly in the event ticketing industry. Regulators in Canada and the U.S. have called for stricter rules to ensure transparent pricing.
In 2022, Competition Bureau Canada ordered Ticketmaster to pay a $4.5 million fine over similar concerns about deceptive pricing.
Will Ticketmaster Change Its Pricing Practices?
As part of the settlement, Ticketmaster has not agreed to make pricing changes, but the company has faced increasing regulatory pressure to be more transparent with fees.
The event ticketing industry has come under fire globally for excessive service fees, and policymakers continue to push for reforms that would ensure customers see the full cost upfront before making a purchase.
For updates on consumer rights, visit Consumer Protection Canada.
Final Thoughts: What You Should Do Now
Check if you qualify for the settlement based on your Ticketmaster purchases between January and June 2018. Look for an email from Ticketmaster with instructions on claiming your credit.
Visit the official settlement website for updates and claim processing details. Use your credit before booking your next event ticket!
For additional information, check Competition Bureau Canada and Ticketmaster Support.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
A senior at Yale-NUS College with interests in developmental and labour economics, as well as creative non-fiction and poetry. Currently, I’m studying as an Economics major and an Arts and Humanities minor (focusing on Creative Writing) with heavy involvement in the Singaporean journalism scene and involved in research on economic history and educational policy. I’m working as an author for The Octant, Yale-NUS’ student publication, as a writer for Wingspan, Yale-NUS’ alumni magazine, and as a tutor for the NUS Libraries Writer’s Centre. | Linkedin