Industry News

Reseller SeatGiant steps ahead of StubHub with Canadian dollars offering

North American secondary ticketing marketplace SeatGiant has stolen a march on StubHub by offering tickets for events across the continent in Canadian dollars.

Through its use of IP geotracking, SeatGiant will be able to feature locally focused concerts, live theatre and sporting events.

Customers will also be able to buy any tickets within the US in Canadian currency through the SeatGiant.ca site.

“Canadians have been asking for years, and it’s finally time we listened. We now offer all tickets purchased through SeatGiant.ca in Canadian funds,” said Josh Matlow, director of operations at Seat Giant.

SeatGiant launched two years ago, and reportedly set itself a long-term goal to become a local household name for event tickets by creating loyal, and a reliable relationships with its return customers.

Earlier this year, StubHub also began pushing for growth in Canada through the launch of a new country-focused website that offers French-language services and the ability to make transactions in Canadian dollars.

According to Montreal’s CTV News, the San Francisco-headquartered ticket reseller said it wants to address shortcomings in the Canadian market, its second-largest after the US. StubHub sold more than one million tickets to 5,000-plus events in Canada last year.

Canadians looking to buy or sell tickets on StubHub for games, concerts and other events have to do so in US dollars.

Jeff Poirier, general manager of StubHub Canada, told CTV News that the currency option will be added with the launch of a Canadian website in the second half of the year for events in Canada, and eventually consumers will be able to purchase tickets to events around the world in Canadian dollars.

StubHub’s currently says: “All listings on StubHub.com are currently in US dollar. All purchases will be charged in US Dollar and may be subject to additional foreign exchange charges based on your payment choice. We realise this is an inconvenience for some fans and are working to fully convert listings to Canadian dollar by the end of 2017.”

Image: RandyMenear