StubHub, the online marketplace for event tickets, has a cut-off time for when tickets can no longer be sold on their platform. This cut-off time varies depending on the event and is implemented to protect both buyers and sellers on StubHub.
When does StubHub stop selling tickets?
In most cases, StubHub stops selling tickets when the event is about to start or is already underway. This is to prevent people from buying tickets for events that have already occurred or are currently happening, as the tickets would be unusable at that point.
Specifically, StubHub typically stops sales 3 hours before the scheduled start time for most events in the United States and Canada. For events in other countries, the cut-off time may be shorter or longer depending on local laws and regulations.
So for example, if a concert is set to begin at 8:00 pm, StubHub will generally stop selling tickets for that concert around 5:00 pm on the day of the event. The exact cut-off time is displayed on each event page on StubHub’s website, so buyers can see exactly when sales close.
Why does StubHub have a cut-off time?
There are a few key reasons why StubHub implements a cut-off time for ticket sales:
- To comply with state laws – Some states prohibit the resale of tickets within a certain timeframe (e.g. 2 hours) before an event starts. StubHub’s cut-off time ensures they remain compliant with these laws.
- To protect buyers – Cutting off sales prevents people from purchasing tickets for events that are already occurring or about to occur, when it would be too late to use the tickets.
- To give time for ticket transfer – StubHub needs to have tickets taken off sale early enough to allow time for sellers to transfer the tickets to buyers within the allotted timeframe before the event starts.
- To discourage fraudulent sales – Having a cut-off deters sellers from trying to fraudulently sell tickets they don’t actually possess right before an event when it’s too late to fulfill the order.
So in summary, the cut-off time protects both buyers and sellers by ensuring tickets are only sold when there is adequate time for the transfer to take place before the event begins.
What happens if I buy tickets after the cut-off?
If you manage to purchase tickets on StubHub after the listed cut-off time, your order will automatically be cancelled and you will be issued a full refund. StubHub’s policy states that no transactions can occur after the cut-off time under any circumstances.
The order cancellation happens automatically within StubHub’s system, so you do not have to do anything on your end for the refund process to begin. You should see the refund appear within 3-5 business days, depending on your original payment method.
StubHub will also notify you via email that your order has been cancelled and your refund is being processed due to tickets being purchased after the sales cut-off time. So you will be informed that your order could not be fulfilled.
Are late purchases ever allowed?
In extremely rare cases, StubHub may allow orders to process even after the posted cut-off time. This only occurs if there are exceptional circumstances and StubHub is able to coordinate with the buyer, seller, and event organizer to fulfill the order.
A few examples where late purchases could be honored:
- The event start time got delayed or postponed last minute
- The seller contacts StubHub saying they can still transfer tickets despite the cut-off passing
- Significant technical issues on StubHub’s platform prevented sales from closing on time
Unless there are unusual circumstances like those described above, all sales after the displayed cut-off time will be automatically cancelled. The cut-off is strictly enforced in the vast majority of transactions.
Can sellers remove and relist tickets after the cut-off?
Sellers are prohibited from cancelling existing ticket listings after the cut-off time and relisting those same tickets. This prevents fraudulent behavior where a seller could cancel a sale last minute despite having committed to transferring the tickets.
However, sellers are allowed to add new ticket listings after the sales cut-off, as long as the tickets are for a future date and not the current event. For example, a seller could list tickets for tomorrow night’s concert even after sales close for tonight’s concert by the same artist. But they cannot remove the listing for tonight’s concert and repost it.
How is the cut-off time enforced?
StubHub has several internal mechanisms to enforce the ticket sales cut-off time for events:
- Automated system cancellations – Any transaction initiated after the cut-off is automatically cancelled and refunded within StubHub’s system.
- Interface changes – The ability to buy tickets is removed from the website interface after the cut-off.
- Seller restrictions – Sellers cannot cancel and relist tickets after the cut-off as this function is disabled.
- Manual review – StubHub staff manually review activity near cut-off times to identify any violations of the policy.
Through a combination of automated safeguards and human oversight, StubHub is able to strictly adhere to and enforce the ticket sales cut-off times. This ensures a fair and compliant marketplace.
Where can I find the cut-off time for an event?
When viewing a specific event page on StubHub’s website, the cut-off time for ticket sales will be very clearly displayed:
- It will be highlighted in red, stating “Sales end xx hours before event start.”
- It will also display the exact date and time that sales will close.
- This cut-off time also appears during the purchase process before you complete your transaction.
You can also click on the “Show sales end times” link on any events page to see a pop-up listing the sales end times for different rows or sections.
StubHub wants the cut-off time to be abundantly clear so buyers know when they need to complete purchases by. If you cannot find the cut-off displayed anywhere, you can also contact StubHub customer service for assistance.
Can I sell tickets after the cut-off?
No, as a seller you cannot list tickets for sale after the posted cut-off time. Your ability to upload and list new tickets will be disabled by StubHub after the sales deadline passes.
However, you can list tickets for future events that have not yet reached their cut-off time. Only listings for the current event are impacted when that event’s cut-off hits.
If you have tickets listed for sale that do not sell before the cut-off, those listings will simply close and expire. The tickets remain in your possession as the seller.
Is the cut-off time ever extended?
It is extremely rare for StubHub to extend the cut-off time once the original deadline has passed. They make every effort to enforce the posted cut-off time stringently to maintain fairness on their marketplace.
In the few isolated cases where a cut-off time has been extended, it has been due to major technical issues on StubHub’s side that prevented buyers and sellers from completing transactions. For example, an outage that took StubHub’s site entirely offline near the cut-off time.
Outside of those kinds of significant incidents, buyers and sellers should assume the cut-off time is firm. Any extensions also tend to be very short, such as an additional 30 minutes to account for a temporary technical problem.
Can tickets be transferred after the cut-off?
For any ticket sales completed before the posted cut-off time, sellers are still expected to transfer the tickets to the buyer. The cut-off does not impact the fulfillment of existing orders.
However, keep in mind that transfers need to be completed well in advance of event start times. For example, StubHub recommends sellers get tickets to buyers at least 3-4 hours before the event. If transferring near the cut-off time, be sure to leave ample time for the tickets to process.
If a seller is unable to transfer tickets to the buyer after the purchase goes through but before the cut-off, they will need to cancel the order and refund the buyer immediately.
What happens if my tickets don’t arrive before the event?
If you purchase tickets before the cut-off time but do not receive them in time for the event, you should immediately contact StubHub customer support. They will work with you and the seller to determine why the transfer failed.
In these situations, StubHub will issue you a full refund for the order. You may also get a coupon for a future purchase on StubHub for the inconvenience. They will then follow up with the seller separately regarding the failed ticket transfer.
It is quite rare that properly processed orders well before the cut-off do not get fulfilled in time. But if that does occur, StubHub will make it right with the buyer.
Conclusion
StubHub’s ticket sales cut-off times are strictly enforced policies designed to protect buyers and sellers. The cut-off times prevent fraudulent transactions and last-minute chaos by closing sales 3 hours before events in most cases. StubHub automatically cancels and refunds any purchases made after the displayed cut-off dates and times. Buyers should complete their purchases well in advance of posted deadlines to ensure seamless ticket delivery.
