Fans stand for the national anthem before a Toronto Blue Jays game during the World Series in October. Ontario saw entertainment spending jump during the Blue Jays’ playoff run.

In a challenging year for the economy, many Canadians are looking to cut back on discretionary purchases. But one area seems particularly immune to their penny-pinching efforts: entertainment.

This October, Royal Bank of Canada cardholders spent 204 per cent more on arts and entertainment than they did in early 2018, according to transaction data reported by the bank. Entertainment appears to be a priority in personal budgets: Over the same period, spending on dining has risen by a lesser 92 per cent and clothing by 36 per cent.

Consumer spending on entertainment – everything from concerts to sporting events –

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