StubHub is one of the world’s largest secondary ticket marketplaces, operating in dozens of countries for concerts, sports, theatre, and other live events. Is StubHub a legitimate and safe platform for buying tickets — and are the tickets you receive valid?
What Is StubHub?
StubHub is a peer-to-peer ticket marketplace where ticket holders (sellers) list their event tickets for resale, and buyers purchase them at market rates. Founded in 2000 and owned by Viagogo since 2021, it is one of the longest-established secondary ticket platforms in the world with operations across North America, Europe, and internationally.
Is StubHub Legitimate?
Yes — StubHub is a fully legitimate, well-established marketplace. It is not a scam. Millions of legitimate ticket transactions occur through StubHub annually for verified live events globally.
StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee
StubHub’s most important consumer protection is its FanProtect Guarantee:
- If an event is cancelled and not rescheduled, you receive a full refund
- If tickets are not delivered as described, StubHub provides comparable replacement tickets or a refund
- If tickets turn out to be invalid at the venue, StubHub will replace them or refund you
This guarantee is genuine and has been honoured across millions of transactions, including during COVID-19 event cancellations.
StubHub Fees
StubHub charges buyer and seller fees that can be substantial:
- Buyer service fees: typically 10–20% of ticket face value, displayed at checkout
- Seller fees: typically 15% of sale price
These fees make StubHub tickets significantly more expensive than face value. Always check the total price including fees before comparing to other sources.
StubHub vs. Viagogo
Both are owned by the same parent company but operate separately. StubHub operates primarily in the US, UK, and Canada with stronger consumer protections in its core markets. Viagogo operates internationally and has faced more regulatory scrutiny in some markets for pricing transparency.
Our Verdict
StubHub is a legitimate marketplace with genuine buyer protection. Tickets are real, the FanProtect Guarantee is real, and customer service is generally responsive. The main consideration is the significant fee load on top of face value — factor total price into your decision before purchasing.
