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Is StubHub legit?

The biggest resale marketplace; tickets nearly always come through, but its fee display and refund record have drawn regulators.

Ticket siteSince 2000Owned by StubHub Holdings (also owns viagogo); listed on NYSE as STUB after a September 2025 IPOstubhub.comChecked October 16, 2026 by Nurullah GökdoğanHow we check
1 · Is it a real company that delivers?
Yes, it’s legit

StubHub is a real, long-running marketplace that sold more than 40 million tickets in 2024. It has repeatedly faced regulators over how it shows fees and how it handled refunds for cancelled events.

2 · Will you pay what you were quoted?
Often not

Sued by the DC Attorney General in 2024 over drip pricing and a countdown clock; fined by the UK CMA in 2026 for drip pricing; a California suit alleges fees were understated by about $3 per ticket. Totals must now be shown up front under the FTC fee rule (May 2025).

How fair is StubHub?

Five checks, 1–5 each. 3 is average for event tickets.

Price honestyIs the all-in price shown up front?Sued by the DC Attorney General in 2024 over drip pricing and a countdown clock; fined by the UK CMA in 2026 for drip pricing; a California suit alleges fees were understated by about $3 per ticket. Totals must now be shown up front under the FTC fee rule (May 2025).Sources:en.wikipedia.orgjoindeleteme.comshopback.com
2/5
Claims and refundsDo refunds come through when events change?In March 2020 StubHub switched cancelled-event refunds to 120% credits, which led to a $1.87M Minnesota AG settlement. Today a cancelled (not rescheduled) event defaults to a 120% wallet credit, with a cash refund on request; rescheduled events are not refunded.Sources:theticketingbusiness.comkstp.comshopback.com
2/5
Pick-up and deliveryDo tickets arrive on time and scan at the gate?Most orders work, but undelivered and double-sold tickets come up repeatedly (Hollywood Bowl, a July 2025 Toronto concert, 2026 World Cup tickets). In early 2025 more than 900 digital tickets were stolen through a vendor; StubHub refunded those buyers.Sources:digitalmusicnews.comen.wikipedia.orgjoindeleteme.commodernhusbands.com
2/5
Fine printDelivery, transfer and refund termsFanProtect promises comparable tickets or a refund when tickets are invalid or late. It does not cover travel costs, and the remedy is at StubHub's discretion. A credit (not cash) is the default for cancellations.Sources:joindeleteme.comshopback.commodernhusbands.com
3/5
SupportDo disputes end well?BBB grade reported as F (2025) and a 1.2/5 BBB review average. Consumer columns show refunds denied at first, then granted after press involvement.Sources:digitalmusicnews.comjoindeleteme.comcrescentavalleyweekly.com
2/5

Fees to expect

Buyer service feeDepends on ticket price, time to event, and demand. Mandatory fees must be in the total shown up front under the FTC fee rule (effective May 12, 2025).Source:joindeleteme.com
Varies; StubHub publishes no fixed percentage
Cancelled-event remedyCredit is the default; ask for cash if you want your money back. Rescheduled events do not qualify.Source:shopback.com
120% of order as StubHub credit, or 100% cash refund on request

How a booking works

Who you pay
You pay StubHub; tickets come from third-party resellers on the marketplace.
Guarantee
FanProtect: valid tickets that arrive in time, or comparable/better tickets or a refund. Travel and hotel costs are not covered.
All-in pricing
Required in the US since the FTC Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees (May 12, 2025). StubHub dropped all-in pricing in 2015 after briefly using it in 2013-2015.
Refunds
Cancelled and not rescheduled: 120% credit by default, or a full cash refund on request. Rescheduled: no refund. Change of plans: resell the tickets instead.

Common problems, and how to avoid them

1
Tickets not delivered or double-soldSometimesAvoid it: Buy early for big events, check the delivery date in the listing, and contact StubHub the moment a ticket hasn't arrived. Don't book non-refundable travel around resale tickets for one-off events.Source:digitalmusicnews.com
2
Credit instead of cash after cancellationCommonAvoid it: Ask for the cash refund option instead of accepting the 120% credit.Source:shopback.com
3
Wrong tickets / refund denied after the eventSometimesAvoid it: Check date, time and section as soon as tickets arrive, and contact StubHub before the event. Escalate with a card dispute or consumer press if refused.Source:crescentavalleyweekly.com
4
Travel costs lost when tickets failSometimesAvoid it: FanProtect refunds only the ticket. Use travel insurance or refundable bookings for trips built around an event.Source:modernhusbands.com

What customers say

“The purchase went through, but the tickets never arrived.”
Modern Husbands blog author · Modern Husbands blog · 2025

Short excerpts from public reviews, chosen because they describe the patterns above. They are examples, not a sample.

Alternatives worth comparing

SeatGeek

New York ticket marketplace and primary ticketer for many teams; strong app ratings, but support is hard to reach when something goes wrong.

#2 of 6 · 57/100Best refund recordVivid Seats

Chicago resale marketplace with a loyalty program and well-rated phone support; watch the fees and the rules for postponed shows.

#3 of 6 · 53/100

Questions people ask about StubHub

Is StubHub legit?

Yes. It is a real, publicly listed marketplace that processes tens of millions of ticket sales a year. Most orders work, but regulators have acted over its fee display and refund handling.

Does StubHub refund cancelled events?

For events cancelled and not rescheduled, StubHub gives a 120% credit by default, and you can ask for a full cash refund instead. Rescheduled events are not refunded.

Are StubHub prices shown with fees?

Since the FTC fee rule took effect on May 12, 2025, US ticket sellers must show the total price including mandatory fees up front. Check the final checkout total before confirming.

What if my StubHub tickets don't arrive?

FanProtect promises comparable tickets or a refund, but it won't cover flights or hotels you booked around the event.

Sources

Last checked October 16, 2026. Fees and policies change, so confirm on stubhub.com before you book. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it in the open. We are not affiliated with StubHub and earn nothing from it.