Montreal's inaugural Formula E race takes place next weekend, and there have already been many complaints due to the number of road closures and parking restrictions.
But even those willing to shell out for tickets have discovered they are paying more to watch the race live than those living in other cities that host Formula E.
Yves Racette tells CTV he paid $50 for a standing-room only ticket, but other cities offer general admission free of charge.
The cost doesn't seem to bother Racette, who believes the price is right for a North American race. But Alex Norris of Projet Montreal doesn't share the same opinion. Norris says Montrealers are paying more for tickets while the city spends tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayers' money.
That $50 Racette spent on his tickets is just the starting point. The most expensive tickets for the race's premium seats at the starting line and pit lane exit cost 131 dollars apiece. Grandstand tickets cost $81, but a similar ticket to attend the Formula E race in Monaco comes in at around 20 Euros, or 30 Canadian dollars.
Mayor Denis Coderre has said he hopes the Formula E race will establish Montreal as a racing city. But motor sport journalist Pino Asaro tells CTV that he doubts the electric car race will ever even approach the popularity of Formula 1.
The city has spent $24 million to put on the race, and has not said how many tickets have been sold.
- With files from CTV Montreal