Halifax’s Scotiabank Center acquires Ticketmaster as an exclusive ticketing platform

The Scotiabank Center in Halifax says it will phase out Ticketmaster as its ticketing platform this summer, but some Nova Scotia residents are concerned about what this will mean for ticket buyers.

Ticketmaster has been under fire in recent years because of its use, among other things “dynamic price” tickets, with prices rising and falling in line with event demandand its market dominance across Canada in the United States.

But in an announcement on Tuesday, the Scotiabank Center promised that “Ticketmaster will help us create an even better fan experience.”

Erin Esiyok-Prime is the Director of Marketing, Communications and Ticketing for Events East, which operates the Scotiabank Center and its box office, Ticket Atlantic.

She said the box office uses a service called Paciolan, but in 2020 the Scotiabank Center issued a call for proposals for new ticketing software.

“The industry has changed a lot over the years, especially since COVID and also at Scotiabank Center,” Esiyok-Prime said.

“We have a long-term vision of service and fan experience and we wanted to work with a partner that would enable us to make that happen.”

Esiyok-Prime said Scotiabank Center accepted Ticketmaster’s proposal because it is a trusted brand with international recognition that offers a “reliable ticketing service”.

But questions about the company’s reliability arose again after more than 3½ million Taylor Swift fans signed up for a Ticketmaster presale for the pop star’s concert tour, and the system collapsed under the pressure.

Earlier this year, Ticketmaster and its parent company, LiveNation Entertainment, appeared before the United States Senate, where senators criticized it for its inability to deal with botswho buy tickets en masse and resell them at high prices.

Ticketmaster Fees

Esiyok-Prime said these are industry standard issues.

There were also concerns about Ticketmaster’s hidden fees, which prompted the parent company to give consumers the opportunity to view all-in prices in advance.

In 2019, the Competition Bureau Ticketmaster commissioned this pay a fine of $4.5 million for misleading customers in online ticket sales.

“Ticketmaster, in their proposal and the work we’ve done with them, has committed to ensuring that fees are in line with market and industry standards,” said Esiyok-Prime.

“So every event is different. When they talk about a Mooseheads game or concert, it’s the same approach that we’ve always had, right? So ticketing, there’s always going to be a cost that goes to the box office, that goes to the artist , the promoter, the provider.”

Subscription holder Mooseheads questions the decision

On Twitter, several people expressed concern about what the move would mean, such as whether event prices would increase or more tickets would end up on the resale market.

Consumers who have purchased tickets from the company can resell them through Ticketmaster’s own website.

In a letter to his city councilman and forwarded to CBC News, Matthew Conrad, a Halifax Mooseheads season ticket holder, expressed “deep concern, disappointment and disapproval” at the Scotiabank Center’s move to use Ticketmaster as its ticketing platform.

He noted that because the building is owned by the city, decisions about its location “must take into account the interests and preferences of the community.”

Conrad wants the city to reconsider its decision or engage with Ticketmaster to ensure concerns about ticket affordability and customer service are addressed.

“In light of these concerns, I am seriously considering not renewing my season tickets for the upcoming season,” he wrote.

Events East said that while ticket purchases will be made through Ticketmaster, Ticket Atlantic will continue to run the box office.

In an email, Waye Mason, councilor for District 7, which includes the Scotiabank Center, said he has asked council staff to clarify the terms of the deal, but is still awaiting a response.

MORE TOP STORIES