Scotiabank Arena's new $2.5K concert pass sparks backlash online
· Toronto Sun
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Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena is offering Priority+ passes, an annual membership that gives buyers first access to 50 or more eligible shows at the venue before other presales begin.
Visit esporist.com for more information.
But it’ll cost you — as in $2,500 plus applicable fees and taxes.
The arena’s website says the way it works is Priority+ members are among the first to know when a show is announced and can purchase up to two tickets per membership before other presales begin.
The membership will also got you a dedicated Premium Live representative and early reservation access to ScotiaClub on eligible concert nights.
Still, you’re paying for early access to select concert ticket sales, some of which you may not even want to attend. And for the shows you do want to see, there’s still no guarantee you’ll get a seat.
“Tickets and specific seat locations are subject to availability,” Scotiabank Arena states. “Not all concerts will be included in the “50+ eligible show announcements,” either.
According to the venue ’s website, “Priority+ presale access applies to the first announced show for each eligible event. If additional shows are added, Priority+ access will not apply to those additional dates. Certain events may also be excluded.”
Reaction on Reddit to the Priority+ memberships has not been great, to say the least.
Nobody on Reddit seemed to like this idea
“We’re firmly at the point where these corpo’s have realized they don’t need the business of the working class masses,” wrote user KnightHart00. “They only need the money of a few whales or the wealthy to sustain themselves now.”
User Max527 was more direct: “This is absolutely mental. Catering to the rich and wealthy is disturbing.”
User ElDuderino2112 responded: “Brother, everything is catered to the rich lmao.”
User to12007 agreed: “You’ll have to pay $2500+ for the right to pay $500/ticket. If this works, every venue will follow. Only the rich will be able to attend events.”
User theodoreodip wrote: “So f—ing out of touch. Rogers’ hands are already in the cookie jar and he just keeps digging.”
However, user No_Lettuce_2652 reasoned: “This has very little impact on concert prices. The pendulum has swung so far that buying tickets at presale you will usually get ripped off. But if you buy day of they will be so much cheaper.”
User Strict_Opposite1285 also weighed in: “Membership has its privileges, including the privilege of being able to spend money more quickly and efficiently. I don’t know who this appeals to really. The modern concert experience is an exercise in tiered exclusion with a “performance” rehearsed, timed, and controlled out of nearly all spontaneity. This has got to be geared to businesses who want to get access to tickets for client entertainment purposes.”
But user Ok_Airport_9172 responded: “I’m not sure it’s businesses. They likely pay whatever market price is if and when they need tix. This seems to me that it’s geared to the uber wealthy who have significant disposable income to spend on something like this. And the GTA is filled with those.”