StubHub is one of the largest secondary ticket marketplaces, allowing buyers and sellers to trade tickets for sports games, concerts, theater shows, and other live entertainment events. With over 16 million visitors per month, StubHub provides a convenient platform for fans to get tickets. However, some buyers are hesitant about purchasing from a secondary source instead of directly from the venue or primary ticket seller. Here is an in-depth look at whether you can trust buying tickets on StubHub.
The Good: Why You Can Trust StubHub
There are several reasons why StubHub is a trustworthy platform for buying event tickets:
Large and Established Company
StubHub has been in business since 2000, making it one of the oldest and most established secondary ticket marketplaces. It was acquired by eBay in 2007 for $310 million and operates as a subsidiary under their trusted marketplace brand. StubHub serves fans in over 50 countries and sees significant web traffic and sales volume, indicating it is a popular and trusted site.
Money Back Guarantee
StubHub provides a FanProtect Guarantee on all ticket purchases. This guarantees that you will receive valid tickets to the event you selected in time for the event. If for some reason you do not receive valid tickets, StubHub will find replacement tickets for you or provide a full refund. This guarantee backs every ticket bought on StubHub with a refund policy, which protects buyers from fraud or issues with their purchase.
Vetted Sellers
In order to sell tickets on StubHub, sellers must provide credit card and other personal information to verify their identity. StubHub checks that sellers are real people, not bots or scammers trying to offload fake or duplicated tickets. Requiring seller identity verification greatly reduces the risk of fraud for buyers.
Secure Transactions
StubHub uses encryption and other security measures to protect your financial and personal information when processing payments. Payments go through trusted vendors like Paypal, not directly through sellers. This provides increased security and less risk of your information being compromised during your ticket purchase.
Seller Reviews
You can view detailed seller profiles and reviews on StubHub before deciding to purchase from a specific seller. This transparency allows you to buy with confidence from highly rated sellers with many positive reviews.
Customer Service
StubHub has customer service representatives available by phone, email or chat in case any issues come up with your order. Having access to customer service support gives buyers peace of mind that any problems can be resolved quickly.
The Bad: StubHub Drawbacks
Despite the protections and processes StubHub has in place, there are some downsides to be aware of when using their secondary ticket marketplace:
Higher Prices
Because StubHub is a secondary market, ticket prices are driven by supply and demand rather than face value pricing. Very popular events or last minute purchases can drive prices significantly above face value. There are no price caps, so buyers may pay a premium compared to buying directly from the box office.
Hidden Fees
StubHub tacks on additional fees during the checkout process that are not clear upfront. These can include service fees, delivery fees, and other charges that increase your final checkout price. Make sure to account for 10-20% extra in fees when budgeting your ticket purchase.
Cancellations Possible
While unlikely, some event cancellations or date changes can create issues with StubHub tickets. Sellers may not provide refunds for canceled events, requiring the buyer to seek compensation directly through StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee.
Counterfeit Tickets
There is always a small risk that a seller will try to pass counterfeit or fake tickets through StubHub. Their vetting processes make this unlikely and the guarantee would provide reimbursement, but it can create hassles for buyers at the event entrance if fakes get through.
Can’t Choose Seats
Buyers can not pick exact seat locations on StubHub, reducing control over where you sit. Sellers may list row and section details but the ticket marketplace does not allow buyers to select seats like primary market ticket sellers do.
Safety Tips for StubHub Buyers
To get the most trustworthy tickets on StubHub and avoid problems, keep these tips in mind:
Buy Early
Purchasing well in advance of the event results in lower prices and more selection of reliable seller options. Last minute buys are riskier.
Read Seller Reviews
Sort listings by number of reviews and only buy from highly rated sellers with nearly perfect feedback.
Search “StubHub Backed”
Filter for this option to see tickets directly backed and verified by StubHub for faster delivery and confidence.
Avoid e-Tickets
Physical ticket shipments have less risk than e-tickets of getting lost or having issues at the venue entrance.
Use Payment Options with Protection
Buy through PayPal or a credit card when possible – this gives you more recourse if your purchase ends up having issues.
Inspect Tickets Upon Arrival
Review your tickets immediately when they arrive and verify they look legitimate. Contact StubHub if any problems before the event.
Arrive Early
Give yourself extra time in case there are any problems getting your tickets scanned for entry. You want time to resolve any issues!
The Bottom Line
StubHub takes significant steps to make their secondary ticket marketplace safe and trustworthy for buyers. Their fan guarantee, security precautions, and seller vetting make the risk of problems very low for most purchases. However, buyers should still exercise caution when selecting tickets to buy and follow tips to minimize chances of fraud.
For extremely high demand events where prices skyrocket, buyers may want to consider other options like fan ticket exchanges or memberships that provide pre-sale or face value access. But for most events, StubHub is a convenient and reliable way to get tickets from a large selection of sellers. Just make your purchase early, vet the seller, and use buyer protections to give you the peace of mind that your event tickets will be valid and problem-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StubHub legit?
Yes, StubHub is a very large and legitimate secondary ticket marketplace. It is owned by eBay and has been in business for over 20 years with millions of customers served.
Can tickets be fake on StubHub?
There is always a small chance fake tickets will slip through, but StubHub does vet sellers and will reimburse buyers under their FanProtect Guarantee if invalid tickets are sold.
Is StubHub safe to buy from?
In general StubHub is very safe to buy from due to their buyer guarantees, security, and anti-fraud protections. Buyers should still take reasonable precautions when selecting tickets.
What are StubHub fees?
StubHub charges around 10-20% of the ticket price in various fees such as delivery, service, and other transactional fees. Buyers should account for these additional costs.
Can you return StubHub tickets?
StubHub offers 100% money back if tickets don’t arrive in time for the event. Otherwise, all sales are final unless the event is canceled. Check seller policies regarding returns.
Is StubHub cheaper than Ticketmaster?
Prices can be cheaper or more expensive on StubHub since it is a secondary market. High demand tickets will typically cost more than face value. Less popular events may have cheap deals.
Is StubHub ticket transfer safe?
StubHub’s online ticket transfer process is safe and secure. Make sure to transfer to someone you know and trust. Print paper copies as backup if possible.
What is StubHub’s buyer guarantee?
StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee promises valid tickets delivered in time for the event, or the buyer will get replacement tickets or a full refund. This protects against any issues.
Can you sell fake tickets on StubHub?
StubHub has strict seller verification procedures to prevent fake ticket sales. Selling counterfeit tickets can result in criminal fraud charges.
The History of StubHub
StubHub was founded in 2000 by Eric Baker and Jeff Fluhr, former Stanford Business School students. The pair recognized the problems with inefficient secondary ticket marketplaces and sought to create a better online solution.
The company name StubHub was chosen because the founders wanted to provide a “hub” to bring together ticket buyers and sellers. The “stub” portion referred to physical ticket stubs, which were still common in early 2000s before increased use of mobile tickets.
StubHub allowed fans to list extra tickets for sale online and enabled buyers to search thousands of event date and location combinations. This provided a greatly improved selection of tickets versus traditional resale methods.
From the start, StubHub focused on security for both buyers and sellers by holding all payments in escrow until after events occurred. This protected fans against fraud.
The service grew quickly allowing StubHub to expand internationally to the UK in 2004. It continued expanding to serve over 50 countries worldwide today.
In 2007, eBay purchased StubHub for $310 million. The partnership gave StubHub improved visibility and even greater buyer trust being associated with eBay’s marketplace brand.
Under eBay, StubHub invested in mobile technology allowing buyers to conveniently access e-tickets on their smartphones. They also developed logistical improvements getting tickets to buyers faster including digital delivery in some cases.
Today StubHub maintains its position as one of the largest ticket resale marketplaces in the world. It provides millions of fans per year with access to tickets for sold out and high demand events through their online exchange connecting buyers and sellers.
Notable Moments and Controversies
StubHub has been the subject of some controversies over its history:
- 2007: Several MLB teams canceled season ticket accounts of known StubHub re-sellers, sparking controversy.
- 2011: A Phillies fan sued StubHub over hidden fees that raised actual costs significantly above listed prices.
- 2012: StubHub agreed to pay a $1 million fine in the UK for violating anti-touting laws preventing ticket scalping and resale.
- 2015: The New York Attorney General accused StubHub of violating state laws and allowing mass illegal ticket buying and reselling. StubHub settled for $4.5M.
- 2019: Ticketmaster sued StubHub alleging it illegally scraped their data in violation of website terms to promote Ticketmaster ticket sales on StubHub without consent.
Despite some past legal issues, StubHub remains popular given the constant high demand for event tickets. The company continues working to evolve its protections and policies to improve transparency and reliability for buyers and sellers.
Future Outlook
StubHub will likely continue as a major player in secondary event ticketing for the foreseeable future. However, some key factors may impact its future business:
- Increased primary market competition from Ticketmaster and others offering similar exchange platforms could reduce StubHub’s market share.
- Artists and teams moving away from fully transferrable tickets and using more restricted paperless/mobile tickets could limit what StubHub is allowed to resell.
- Higher fees and lack of incentives for season or original ticket buyers may reduce source of last minute inventory being resold on StubHub.
- Legal and regulatory efforts more tightly restricting ticket resale marketplaces on pricing, transparency and fees may squeeze margins.
But live events remain extremely popular, so secondary exchanges meeting demand for sold out events will likely continue to thrive. StubHub’s brand reach and technical prowess also give it key advantages in the market. Overall the service still provides significant utility matching buyers and sellers given ongoing supply-demand imbalances in primary ticketing.
Statistical Look at StubHub
StubHub Monthly Visitors
| Year | Monthly Visitors |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 16 million |
| 2020 | 8 million |
| 2019 | 20 million |
| 2018 | 19 million |
| 2017 | 18 million |
StubHub consistently attracts millions of visitors per month, though the numbers dropped during 2020 due to lower event volume during the pandemic. Monthly traffic indicates the site’s popularity and reach with fans seeking tickets.
Average StubHub Ticket Resale Price by Event Type
| Event Type | Average Resale Price |
|---|---|
| NFL | $380 |
| NBA | $170 |
| MLB | $80 |
| NHL | $110 |
| Concerts | $230 |
NFL games tend to have the highest resale prices on StubHub, followed by major concerts. NBA and NHL games trail with MLB having relatively lower resale prices. Supply and demand impacts prices significantly.
Average Fees as % of SubTotal on StubHub
| Type | Average Fee % |
|---|---|
| Delivery | 12% |
| Service | 10% |
| Processing | 4% |
| Total | 25% |
StubHub tacks on an additional 25% in fees on average to ticket purchase totals. Buyers should account for these extra costs when budgeting and expect higher final checkout prices.
Key Takeaways
- StubHub is generally a safe and trusted secondary ticket marketplace used by millions of buyers annually.
- Protections like delivery guarantees, vetted sellers, and security give confidence in the service.
- Buyers should still use caution selecting high rated sellers and avoid risks like last minute purchases.
- While convenient for sold out events, prices and fees are higher than primary sellers.
- StubHub remains popular but faces increasing competition looking ahead.