Is StubHub Legit? An Honest Review From A Seasoned Ticket Buyer

Picture this: Your favorite band just announced their tour, and you've been waiting years for this moment. You go to the official ticket seller website the minute tickets go on sale, only to find they're completely sold out. Your heart sinks. But then you remember StubHub - that site you've heard about where people resell tickets. But is it safe? Is it legit? Will you get scammed?

As someone who's bought tickets for everything from Premier League football matches to once-in-a-lifetime concerts, I've been in this exact situation more times than I can count. In this comprehensive review, I'm going to walk you through everything you need to know about StubHub based on my personal experiences and thorough research. By the end, you'll know exactly whether StubHub is the right choice for your next event.

What Is StubHub? The Ticket Marketplace Explained

Let's start with the basics. StubHub is essentially a massive online marketplace where regular people like you and me can buy and sell tickets to events. Think of it like eBay, but specifically for tickets to concerts, sports games, theater shows, and pretty much any other live event you can imagine.

Founded back in 2000 (yes, they've been around for over two decades!), StubHub has grown to become one of the most recognized names in ticket resale. They're now owned by Viagogo, another giant in the ticketing world, which has only expanded their global reach.

Here's how it works: When someone can't attend an event they bought tickets for, or when they have extra tickets, they can list them on StubHub. The platform handles the transaction, provides protection for both buyers and sellers, and takes a fee for their service. It's a win-win - sellers get to recoup their costs (or sometimes make a profit), and buyers get access to tickets that would otherwise be unavailable.

What really sets StubHub apart is their sheer scale. We're talking about tickets available for events in countries all around the world. Whether you're looking for seats to a Broadway show in New York, a Premier League football match in London, or a music festival in Tokyo, chances are StubHub will have options for you.

I remember when I was trying to get tickets for a Sheffield United vs. Brentford FC match last year. The official channels were completely sold out, but StubHub had over 170 tickets available with various seating options. The detailed stadium map made it easy to see exactly where I'd be sitting, and the filtering options let me find tickets that fit my budget.

The platform is designed to be user-friendly even if you've never bought resale tickets before. The search function is intuitive, the seat maps are interactive, and the checkout process is straightforward (though we'll talk more about fees later).

One thing that's important to understand is that StubHub doesn't actually set the prices for tickets - the sellers do. This means prices can vary widely based on demand. For high-profile events, you might see tickets going for well above face value, while for less popular events, you might snag a bargain.

The Pros and Cons of Using StubHub

Like any marketplace, StubHub has its strengths and weaknesses. Based on my personal experience and the research I've done, here's my honest breakdown of what works well and what doesn't.

It's worth noting that many of the negative experiences people have with StubHub tend to be isolated incidents rather than the norm. The platform processes millions of transactions successfully, but when things go wrong, they can be frustrating. The key is understanding both the benefits and potential drawbacks before you buy.

Understanding StubHub's Pricing and Fees

Let's talk about everyone's favorite topic: money. StubHub's pricing model can be confusing if you're not familiar with how ticket resale marketplaces work, so I'm going to break it down for you.

First and foremost, it's important to understand that StubHub doesn't set ticket prices - individual sellers do. This means prices are determined by supply and demand. For a hot concert or a crucial playoff game, you might see tickets going for several times their face value. On the flip side, for less popular events or last-minute purchases, you might find tickets below face value as sellers try to recoup at least some of their costs.

When I was looking at tickets for that Sheffield United match, I noticed a wide range of prices depending on where I wanted to sit. The shortside upper tier tickets were around €87 each, while premium seats were going for over €1,100. The key was using StubHub's filters to find options that fit my budget.

Now, let's talk about the part that often catches people off guard: fees. StubHub, like any marketplace, needs to make money, so they charge fees on transactions. There are typically two types of fees:

• Service Fee: This covers StubHub's operational costs.
• Delivery Fee: This covers the cost of delivering your tickets to you.

The exact percentage varies based on factors like ticket price, event date, and demand. Sellers also pay a fee when their tickets sell, but that's built into the price you see as a buyer.

Here's the good news: StubHub has made efforts to be more transparent about fees. You can actually view the full cost including fees before you even get to checkout by changing the "Price Display Options" to "Include estimated fees" on the event page. This is a relatively recent improvement that addresses one of the biggest complaints people had about the platform.

During my own purchase experience, I found this feature incredibly helpful. I could see exactly how much I'd be paying before committing to the purchase, which eliminated any nasty surprises at checkout.

While StubHub doesn't typically offer promo codes or coupons (due to the nature of the marketplace), they do sell gift cards in increments of $25, $50, $100, and $200. These can be a great option if you have a friend or family member who loves live events.

How to Buy Tickets on StubHub: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've never bought tickets through StubHub before, the process might seem a bit intimidating. But I'm here to walk you through it step by step based on my own experience.

Step 1: Find Your Event
Start by searching for the event you want to attend. You can search by artist, team, venue, or city. The search function is pretty intuitive, and you'll likely find what you're looking for quickly.

Step 2: Select Your Tickets
This is where StubHub really shines. Once you've found your event, you'll see an interactive seat map of the venue. You can click on different sections to see available tickets and prices. The filtering options let you narrow down by price range, number of tickets, delivery method, and more.

One feature I particularly love is the ability to see prices with fees included. Just click on the filters and change "Price Display Options" to "Include estimated fees." This gives you a completely transparent view of what you'll actually pay.

Step 3: Review Your Selection
Once you've found tickets you like, you'll be taken to a review page where you can see a complete breakdown of your order. This includes the ticket price, service fee, delivery fee, and total cost. Take a moment to double-check everything here.

Step 4: Checkout and Payment
If you don't already have a StubHub account, you'll need to create one at this point. Then you'll enter your payment information. StubHub accepts major credit cards and PayPal.

During my purchase, I ran into a small issue where my card was rejected. The interface didn't make it easy to try a different card, so I ended up using PayPal instead, which worked perfectly. My advice: if you have issues with one payment method, try another rather than struggling with the same one.

Step 5: Receive Your Tickets
Delivery methods vary depending on the event and seller. Many tickets these days are delivered electronically, either as mobile tickets or PDFs that you can print. Some might be physical tickets that are shipped to you.

In my case, I was told I'd receive my e-tickets four days before the event, but they actually arrived in my inbox less than 30 minutes after my purchase. This isn't guaranteed to happen every time, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Step 6: Attend Your Event!
When the big day arrives, make sure you have your tickets ready. For electronic tickets, I recommend having them available on your phone and also taking screenshots as a backup in case you have connectivity issues at the venue.

The StubHub FanProtect Guarantee: Your Safety Net

This is arguably the most important aspect of StubHub and what sets it apart from random ticket exchanges on social media or classified ads. The FanProtect Guarantee is StubHub's promise that your purchase is protected, and it applies to every single order on the platform.

So what exactly does this guarantee cover? Let me break it down for you:

• Valid Tickets Guaranteed: If your tickets don't work when you get to the venue, StubHub will find you comparable or better replacement tickets, or refund your money.
• On-Time Delivery: You'll receive your tickets before the event. If there's a delivery issue, StubHub will resolve it.
• Event Cancellation Protection: If an event is canceled and not rescheduled, you'll get a full refund or 120% StubHub credit.
• Accurate Listing: The tickets you receive will match what was described in the listing.

For sellers, the guarantee means they'll get paid on time for tickets they sell, and StubHub will handle communications with buyers if issues arise.

This guarantee was a major factor in my decision to use StubHub for the first time. Knowing that I had protection if something went wrong gave me the confidence to proceed with my purchase.

I've read numerous accounts online of people who had issues with their tickets, and in almost every case, StubHub made it right - either by finding replacement tickets (sometimes even better ones!) or providing a refund. There are stories of people who showed up to events only to find their tickets weren't valid, and StubHub customer service representatives working to find them alternative seating on the spot.

That said, it's important to understand what the guarantee doesn't cover. For instance, if an event is postponed rather than canceled, your tickets will typically be valid for the new date. If you can't attend the rescheduled event, you can relist your tickets on StubHub, but you won't automatically get a refund.

Similarly, if there are partial performance changes (like one opening act dropping out of a multi-artist concert) or time changes, these generally aren't covered unless they're significant enough to fundamentally change the nature of the event.

The key takeaway here is that while issues can and do occasionally happen, StubHub has systems in place to protect buyers. This makes it a much safer option than buying from unverified sellers on other platforms.

StubHub vs. The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?

StubHub isn't the only player in the ticket resale game. There are several other platforms out there, including Ticketmaster Resale, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and others. So how does StubHub compare?

Based on my research and experience, here's how StubHub stacks up against the competition:

Inventory Size: StubHub consistently has one of the largest inventories of any resale platform. Whether you're looking for sports, concerts, or theater, you're likely to find more options here than on most competing sites.

Buyer Protections: StubHub's FanProtect Guarantee is among the strongest in the industry. While other platforms have similar guarantees, StubHub's long track record and specific promises (like the 120% credit for canceled events) give it an edge.

International Reach: Unlike some competitors that focus primarily on the US market, StubHub has a significant international presence, making it a better option if you're looking for events outside the United States.

User Experience: StubHub's website and app are generally well-designed and intuitive. The interactive seat maps are particularly helpful when trying to choose between different ticket options.

Fees: This is an area where StubHub gets mixed reviews. Their fees are comparable to other major resale platforms, but they've historically been less transparent about displaying them upfront. The recent addition of the "include fees" filter helps, but some competitors (like SeatGeek) have made fee transparency more of a priority.

Customer Service: Like most ticket resale platforms, StubHub's customer service receives mixed reviews. When things go smoothly, you'll never need to contact them. But when issues arise, resolution times can vary. Some users report excellent experiences, while others complain about slow responses.

One area where StubHub particularly stands out is in its partnerships with teams and venues. Many sports teams have official partnerships with StubHub, which adds an extra layer of legitimacy to the platform.

At the end of the day, the "best" platform often comes down to personal preference and the specific event you're trying to attend. I typically check multiple sites before making a purchase, but StubHub is almost always one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions About StubHub

Over my years of using StubHub and researching the platform, I've come across many common questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked ones:

Final Verdict: Is StubHub Worth It?

After all this research and personal experience, what's my final take on StubHub? In short: Yes, StubHub is a legitimate and generally reliable platform for buying and selling tickets, especially when you can't find them through official channels.

StubHub's greatest strength is its massive inventory and the peace of mind provided by the FanProtect Guarantee. While you might pay more than face value for popular events, and fees can add to the cost, the ability to secure tickets to otherwise sold-out events is valuable for many fans.

Are there potential downsides? Absolutely. The fees can be high, customer service experiences vary, and occasionally issues arise with tickets. But based on the millions of successful transactions processed each year and my own positive experiences, these problems appear to be the exception rather than the rule.

If you're considering using StubHub, my advice is to:

• Use the "include fees" filter to understand the true cost upfront
• Purchase with enough lead time to address any potential delivery issues
• Consider multiple payment options (PayPal can be a good backup)
• Save all confirmation emails and receipts until after the event
• Have a backup plan for contacting customer service if needed

At the end of the day, StubHub fills an important niche in the live events ecosystem. It provides a regulated marketplace where fans can buy and sell tickets with protections that simply don't exist in informal exchanges. While it might not be perfect, it's generally a safe and effective option when you need tickets that are otherwise unavailable.