The Quebec Superior Court has granted permission for a class-action lawsuit against Ticketmaster, alleging that the company imposes excessive service fees on ticket purchases. Justice Eleni Yiannakis ruled that the plaintiffs have satisfied the requirements for a full trial, with the possibility of compensatory refunds if the case is successful.
The lawsuit, initiated by Montreal law firm Paquette Gadler, argues that Ticketmaster’s service charges violate Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act and the Quebec Civil Code. According to the legal action, Ticketmaster’s fees are not based on the actual cost of services rendered but rather fluctuate in relation to ticket prices, a practice deemed exploitative by the law firm.
The class action, led by plaintiff Felipe Morales and including Quebec residents who have acquired tickets through Ticketmaster for North American events since July 2021, was filed in August 2024. Ticketmaster, a global ticketing platform for concerts, sports, and entertainment, did not respond immediately to requests for comment following Monday’s court ruling.