Buying and Reselling Event Tickets: Do You Know Your Rights?

Online shopping General public

Is your favorite artist's tour already "sold out" at the official ticket website, so you are turning to resale websites? Be careful not to get carried away by the excitement! To prevent you from paying far too much or ending up with fake tickets, new rules now in force in Quebec provide greater oversight of this market. Here is an overview to help you avoid the pitfalls and assert your rights.

What is an event ticket?

A new Quebec law, which came into force on September 12, 2026, tightens the rules governing ticket resale. Its aim is to ensure greater transparency and reduce the risk of abuse and unpleasant surprises for consumers.

Within the meaning of the law, an "event ticket" refers to any document or instrument that grants the right of admission to a performance, a sporting or cultural event, an exhibition or any other form of entertainment. This therefore applies equally to a music concert and to the transfer of your registration for a half-marathon via a specialised platform.

What platforms and resellers must disclose

Whether you are using a platform that combines the initial sale and resale of tickets, or a private individual is reselling their ticket via a website that facilitates this type of transaction, certain information requirements apply.

Before finalizing your purchase, verify that you have access to the following information:

The resale notice: The platform must clearly state that you are on a resale site, even if it also sells tickets from the official seller. It must also inform you that equivalent tickets may be available at a lower price from the official seller.
The ticket details: You must specifically be able to know the initial price of the ticket, be aware that the selected ticket is being resold, know the seat or space number, if applicable, as well as the name of the previous owner.
The price details: The displayed price must be presented transparently, notably with a breakdown of fees. Unless an exception applies, it is prohibited to resell a ticket at a price higher than the original price set by the official seller.
If the event changes: If the event is cancelled, or if the date, time or location changes, the reseller must inform you as soon as possible.

Our tips for buying safely

To avoid traps and buy with peace of mind, a few good habits are essential:

Prioritize the official source: Always start your search on the official website of the event or the ticketing service. Pay close attention to the results displayed by search engines: the first results may be sponsored links, sometimes identified by the word "Ad". These can be advertisements paid for by resale sites to appear at the top of the results, before the actual official site. So take the time to check the website address before clicking.

Buying reselling event tickets rights rules

Compare offers: If you must turn to resale, take the time to compare prices between different platforms. Also, ensure that the merchant is complying with their information obligations.
Keep your proofs of purchase: Carefully keep all your documents: confirmation emails, receipts, screenshots of the tickets, etc. These proofs could be useful to you in asserting your rights in the event of a problem or for requesting a refund.

If the event is modified (location, date, schedule)

You are not necessarily obligated to accept this change. When you buy a ticket, you enter into a contract to attend an event on a specific date, at a specific time and location. If any of these elements is modified, you have the right to refuse the new proposal. Be aware also that the trader cannot force you to accept a voucher for a future event. If the new date or new location does not suit you, you are fully entitled to refuse it, and the merchant then has the obligation to refund you in full.

What to do? Contact the ticket office or resale platform as soon as possible to inform them of your refusal and request the cancellation of your purchase and a full refund.

If your show is canceled

The cancellation of an event automatically gives you the right to a refund. Is the seller not getting back to you or refusing to refund you? You’re not necessarily out of options. If you paid by credit card, you may be able to request a chargeback to try to recover your money. Please note, this refund is not automatic and certain conditions must be met.

To learn more about the deadlines, consult our shopping tips as well as our chargeback request template.

Regardless of your payment method, do not hesitate to contact us; our lawyers can help you evaluate your recourses in the event of a problem.