StubHub and Viagogo are two of the largest online marketplaces for resold event tickets, and since early 2020 they have been owned by the same company. Viagogo bought StubHub from eBay for US$4.05 billion in cash, and Viagogo’s chief executive Eric Baker, who had also co-founded StubHub, now runs both businesses under one group.
How the two sites relate
The sites have kept separate brands. StubHub is the stronger name in the United States, and Viagogo is widely used in the UK and Europe. After the purchase the group filed to list on the stock market as StubHub Holdings; its filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission are the most reliable source on the business and its risks.
How resale marketplaces work
A seller who owns tickets lists them and sets a price. A buyer pays that price plus fees, and the marketplace holds the payment, then releases the tickets or a transfer, and pays the seller less a commission. The platform does not issue the tickets: the event’s primary seller does, which is why prices can be far above or below the printed face value.
The FanProtect Guarantee
StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee says buyers receive valid tickets to the event or get their money back, and that sellers get timely payment, free listing and control of their price. The terms are on the site, so read them for what counts as a failure, how soon you must report a problem and whether the refund is cash or credit.
Before you buy resale tickets
- Compare the total price including fees against the official seller; the event may still have face-value tickets.
- Check whether the venue or promoter restricts transfers, since some tickets are tied to the original buyer’s name.
- Check the seat details and delivery method listed on each ticket.
- Report any problem before the event, not after.
What we could not verify
We did not buy tickets through either site. Fee levels differ by event and region and the guarantee terms are the company’s own.
