Last updated
    StubHub
    Ticket Marketplace

    StubHub

    by StubHub

    "The world's largest ticket marketplace for live events"

    40%

    Rating

    2/5

    $1.77 billion revenue (2024)Available
    Community

    Overview

    StubHub is a global secondary ticket marketplace headquartered in San Francisco, founded in March 2000 by Eric Baker and Jeff Fluhr. The platform allows fans to buy and sell tickets to concerts, sports games, theater shows, and festivals at market-driven prices, replacing the old street-scalping model with a regulated, guaranteed system. StubHub takes a commission from both buyers and sellers on each transaction, and by 2024 it generated $1.77 billion in revenue.

    eBay acquired StubHub for $310 million in 2007, expanding its partnerships with major sports leagues like MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS, as well as entertainment giants like AEG. The company made history as the first to buy an ad patch on an NBA jersey, appearing on the Philadelphia 76ers uniforms. In 2020, Viagogo, led by co-founder Eric Baker, bought StubHub back from eBay for roughly $4 billion, forming StubHub Holdings. The combined entity went public in September 2025 at $23.50 per share.

    StubHub has faced regulatory scrutiny, including a UK Competition and Markets Authority investigation into ticket scalping. Despite this, the platform remains dominant, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Taiwan, China, Ireland, and Switzerland. Its model has democratized access to sold-out events but also drawn criticism for driving up prices through dynamic pricing and high fees.

    Key Features

    • Interactive seat maps with view-from-seat previews
    • Mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Android
    • Fan Rewards loyalty program
    • Pricing Assistant tool for dynamic pricing recommendations
    • Sell it Now feature allowing buyers to bid on tickets
    • Zero-tolerance policy for speculative ticketing
    • AI-powered chatbots for customer service and ticket purchases

    Specifications

    FoundedMarch 2000
    FoundersEric Baker, Jeff Fluhr
    HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
    Number of employees~650 (2022)
    Parent companyStubHub Holdings
    Languages supportedOver 30
    Currencies acceptedMore than 45
    Countries served200+

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Huge selection of tickets for sold-out events
    • Interactive seat maps help buyers choose seats
    • Guaranteed delivery: refund or replacement if seller fails
    • Fan Rewards program offers discounts and perks

    Cons

    • High service fees for both buyers and sellers
    • Tickets often delivered just hours before the event
    • Poor customer service experiences reported by many users
    • No refunds for most cancellations or invalid tickets

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How does StubHub work?
    StubHub is a secondary marketplace where sellers list tickets they already own and buyers purchase them at market-driven prices. StubHub facilitates the transaction, guarantees ticket delivery, and charges fees to both parties. Tickets are delivered electronically, often on the day of the event.
    Is StubHub legit or a scam?
    StubHub is a legitimate, publicly traded company with $1.77 billion in 2024 revenue. However, user reviews are mixed: many customers complete transactions without issues, but there are significant complaints about high fees, delayed ticket delivery, and poor customer service, especially for high-demand events.
    How much are StubHub fees?
    StubHub charges fees to both buyers and sellers, typically ranging from 10% to 25% of the ticket price per transaction. The exact percentage varies by event, ticket price, and market conditions. Fees are disclosed before purchase completion, but many users find them unexpectedly high.
    What is StubHub's refund policy?
    All sales are final on StubHub. Refunds are generally only issued if an event is canceled and not rescheduled, or if the seller fails to deliver valid tickets. Buyers who receive invalid tickets may be offered replacement tickets or a refund, but the process can be difficult and time-consuming.
    Is StubHub cheaper than Ticketmaster?
    StubHub is typically more expensive than buying directly from Ticketmaster's primary market because StubHub prices are market-driven and often above face value. However, for sold-out events, StubHub may be the only option, and prices can sometimes be lower than Ticketmaster's own resale marketplace for the same event.

    Keywords

    ticket marketplacesecondary ticketsconcert ticketssports ticketstheater ticketsticket resaleStubHubViagogoevent tickets

    Sources

    Product Info

    Brand
    StubHub
    Manufacturer
    StubHub Holdings
    Category
    Ticket Marketplace
    Released
    2000-03-01
    Price
    $1.77 billion revenue (2024)
    Availability
    Available
    Founded
    2000
    CEO
    Eric Baker
    Revenue (2024)
    $1.77 billion
    IPO Date
    September 16, 2025
    IPO Price
    $23.50 per share
    Acquired by eBay
    2007 for $310 million
    Acquired by Viagogo
    2020 for ~$4 billion

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