StubHub is a real ticket resale platform, founded in 2000 and now a public company. You buy from other sellers through it, and its FanProtect cover promises a refund or replacement tickets in set situations. The catch is price: the FTC alleged StubHub didn't clearly show total prices with fees for a short period, and StubHub settled without admitting that.
StubHub is usually the first name people think of for resale tickets, and also the first one they worry about when the price jumps at checkout. I've read its own cancellation guide, its Wikipedia history and a news report on the FTC settlement, so you can see where it's trustworthy and where to be careful.
Who owns StubHub and how it makes money
According to Wikipedia, StubHub was founded in 2000 in San Francisco by Eric Baker and Jeff Fluhr. It describes StubHub as a ticket resale broker and primary ticket outlet that earns commissions from buyers and sellers on each order.
The ownership story is long. eBay bought it in 2007 for 310 million US dollars. Viagogo, which Baker founded, announced in 2019 that it would buy StubHub for 4.05 billion US dollars, a deal completed in 2020 and finalised in 2021 under StubHub Holdings. Wikipedia also says StubHub Holdings became a public company through an initial public offering in 2025.
How buying on StubHub works
StubHub is mainly a resale platform, which means many tickets come from other fans or sellers and not from the venue. The listing price is set by the seller, and StubHub takes its commission from the order. That's why a ticket's price can be far from the face value printed on it, and it's worth remembering whenever you compare StubHub with the box office.
Wikipedia also calls it a primary ticket outlet, so some events may sell through it directly. Check the event page and the listing details so you know which you're getting.
The StubHub FanProtect promise
StubHub's own newsroom guide to cancelled events sets out what its FanProtect cover says. I'd read this before you buy anything expensive, because it's the answer to 'what if it goes wrong?'.
| Situation | What StubHub says |
|---|---|
| Event cancelled, no new date | Full refund to your original payment method or StubHub credit, covering the whole order including fees |
| Event postponed or rescheduled | Options vary by situation; StubHub says it will communicate your choices directly |
| Tickets don't work at the door | Comparable replacement tickets or a refund |
| How long refunds take | Typically 5-10 business days once the cancellation is confirmed; your bank may take longer |
Notice that it's StubHub's description of its own cover. Keep your order confirmation and screenshots of the listing, and ask for the refund route you want in writing.
StubHub, the FTC and fees
This is the part that matters if your worry is price. According to news coverage on NBC Miami, the FTC alleged StubHub advertised ticket prices without clearly showing the total cost, including mandatory fees, as its Fees Rule required. The allegation covered tickets for US events bought on May 12-14, 2025.
The settlement involved 10 million US dollars in fees refunded to eligible customers. StubHub neither admitted nor denied the allegations, said it strongly disagrees with the FTC's view, and said it has long supported all-in pricing. The order also bars it from misrepresenting the total price of any good, service, fee or final payment.
The lesson isn't that StubHub is fake. It's that you should look at the final total before you pay and compare it with the price shown earlier. For the wider habit of checking what other buyers say and who's behind a platform, my guides on product review sites for shoppers and spotting a fake review are good starting points.
Before you pay on StubHub
A few minutes of checking saves a lot of grief. Compare the price on the listing page with the total at the last step, and look at what's included in that total. If the two numbers don't match and you can't see why, stop and go back.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Read the delivery details on the listing too, since how a ticket reaches you can differ by event. Then screenshot the seat, the price and the cover wording before you confirm. If something goes wrong later, that record makes any conversation with support shorter and clearer.
Fake tickets and scams that use StubHub's name
Real platforms attract scammers who copy them. The safest habit is to buy inside the StubHub site or app, and not off it. Be wary of anyone who offers a 'cheaper' ticket if you pay them directly, and never pay a stranger by bank transfer or a gift card, because there's no platform cover once you step outside.
- Type the address yourself or use the official app, not a link in an ad or text.
- Check the total price at the final step, not just the listing price.
- Ignore messages claiming your StubHub order has a problem and asking for a code or card details.
- Keep your order email and any chat with StubHub support.
Who StubHub suits
It also suits buyers who are comfortable keeping a paper trail. If you tend to forget which site you used, save the order email somewhere you'll find it, because every refund conversation starts from that reference.
It suits people who want to see a sold-out event and accept paying a resale price, as long as they understand the fees and the cover. If you only want a ticket at the original price, check the venue or official seller first.
So is StubHub legit?
Yes, it's a real company with a long history and a published cover for cancelled events. The honest caveat is price transparency: a regulator alleged problems and StubHub settled while disagreeing. Use the checkout total, buy only inside the platform and keep your records.
Frequently asked questions
Is StubHub legit?
Yes. Wikipedia describes it as a ticket resale broker founded in 2000, and it became a public company through an initial public offering in 2025.
What does FanProtect cover?
StubHub says a cancelled event with no new date gets a full refund or StubHub credit, covering the whole order including fees. Tickets that don't work get replacements or a refund.
How long do StubHub refunds take?
StubHub says it typically processes refunds within 5-10 business days once a cancellation is confirmed, and your bank may take additional time.
Did the FTC take action against StubHub?
NBC Miami reports a 10 million US dollar settlement over fee disclosure on tickets bought on May 12-14, 2025. StubHub neither admitted nor denied the allegations.
How do I avoid fake tickets?
Buy inside the platform and never pay a stranger by bank transfer or gift card. Check the final total before you pay.
