Short answer: In Canada you usually can't remove Ticketmaster's fees if you buy through Ticketmaster's own checkout, because the service fee, order processing fee and facility charge are part of the ticket's price. You can avoid most of them by changing where you buy: at the venue box office, or fan-to-fan from a seller who charges no fees at all. Here's what each fee is, and the four ways around them.
Ticketmaster fee types explained
When you buy on Ticketmaster.ca, the total is made up of the face value plus some or all of these charges. Ticketmaster Canada's help centre describes the first three; the rest depend on how and where you buy.
| Fee | What it is | Charged | Can you avoid it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service fee | Shared between Ticketmaster and the venue or team, in exchange for the right to sell their tickets | Once per ticket | Sometimes. It may still apply at the box office, depending on the venue |
| Order processing fee | Shared between Ticketmaster and the venue or team | Once per order | Yes. It doesn't apply to in-person box office purchases |
| Facility charge | Set by the venue to cover the cost of hosting events. Ticketmaster says it keeps none of it | Per ticket, varies by event | Rarely. It's part of the venue's price |
| Delivery fee | A charge for some delivery methods | Per order | Usually. Choose mobile tickets where they're offered |
| Resale fees | On Ticketmaster resale listings, buyer fees are added on top of the seller's price and are set per event | Per ticket | Only by buying somewhere that doesn't charge them |
| Tax | GST, HST or PST depending on the province. In Ontario, HST | On the purchase | No |
Canada uses all-in pricing on most events, so you see the fee-loaded total up front rather than at the last step. That's more transparent, but it doesn't make the fees smaller. Across the major ticketing platforms, fees commonly add roughly 20 to 30% to the listed ticket price, depending on the event and price level. The only exact number is the one in your own checkout.
Seen "TM Canada Resale" on your card statement and not sure what it was? We explain that charge in what the TM Canada Resale charge is.
How do I avoid Ticketmaster fees? 4 ways that work
1. Buy at the venue box office, in person
Buying at the box office skips the order processing fee, and usually any delivery fee. Depending on the venue you may still pay a service fee and the facility charge, but it's usually the lowest total for a primary-market ticket. Check the venue's site for box-office hours; some only open on event days.
2. Use mobile tickets, and watch presales and promo codes
If you buy online, choose mobile tickets to avoid delivery fees, and watch for artist, fan-club or credit-card presales and the occasional reduced-fee promotion.
3. Compare the final checkout total, not the sticker price
"No fees" doesn't always mean cheapest. Some platforms advertise no added buyer fees because the cost is built into the listed price. Compare the final total, including every fee and tax, across two or three options before you buy.
4. Buy fan-to-fan from a verified season seat holder
The most reliable way to pay zero added fees is to buy directly from a fan who isn't charging any. That's how Tickets 4 Fans works for Toronto sports:
- No buyer fees, no seller commissions, no processing fees. The listed price, in CAD, is the final price.
- Every seller is a verified Toronto season seat holder for the Raptors, Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Toronto FC or Toronto Tempo, not an anonymous reseller or a bot.
- You message the seller on WhatsApp, pay by Interac e-Transfer, and receive the tickets through the official transfer (Ticketmaster, or the MLB Ballpark app for the Blue Jays).
Because the tickets still come through the official platform, you get the same valid ticket without the fees on top. Tickets 4 Fans isn't an escrow service and never holds your money, so follow a few safe-buying steps: confirm the seat details, accept the transfer into your own account, and never treat a screenshot as the ticket. Our guide to how buying on Tickets 4 Fans works walks through every step.
Quick checklist for Canadian buyers
- Check the venue box office price in person if you can.
- If you buy online, use mobile tickets and look for presales and promo codes.
- Compare the final checkout total, fees and tax included, across two or three options.
- For Raptors, Leafs, Blue Jays, Toronto FC or Tempo games, check Tickets 4 Fans: verified season seat holders, no added fees, and the price you see is the price you pay.
FAQ
What is the Ticketmaster service fee?
A per-ticket fee shared between Ticketmaster and the venue or team, in exchange for the right to sell their tickets. It's charged once for every ticket in your order.
What is the Ticketmaster order processing fee?
A fee charged once per order rather than per ticket, shared between Ticketmaster and the venue or team. It doesn't apply when you buy in person at the box office.
What is a facility charge?
A charge set by the venue to cover the cost of hosting events, such as staffing and insurance. Ticketmaster says it keeps none of it.
Does Ticketmaster charge tax in Canada?
Yes. Sales tax is added according to the province: GST, HST or PST. Ontario events carry HST.
Can you avoid Ticketmaster fees completely?
Not at Ticketmaster's own checkout. Buying at the box office removes some of them, and buying fan-to-fan from a seller who charges no fees removes them all.
Bottom line: you can't remove Ticketmaster's fees at its own checkout, but you can route around most of them. For Toronto sports, buying fan-to-fan from a verified season seat holder is the one option that adds nothing on top of the ticket price. Browse fee-free Toronto sports tickets.