StubHub Review 2026: Is It the Best Place to Buy and Sell Tickets?

Read this honest StubHub review before buying concert or sports tickets. Learn about fees, seller payouts, customer service, and better alternatives in 2026.

You want to see your favorite band. The show is sold out. Or you have tickets but cannot go. Where do you turn?

StubHub is the world’s largest ticket marketplace. Millions of people buy and sell tickets there every year. But the fees are high. Customer service gets mixed reviews.

Is StubHub still the best option? Or are there better alternatives in 2026?

This StubHub review will answer these questions. I have bought and sold tickets on StubHub multiple times. I will tell you how it works, what the fees are, and when to use StubHub versus competitors.

 

What Is StubHub?

StubHub was founded in 2000. eBay bought StubHub in 2007 for $310 million. In 2020, eBay sold StubHub to Viagogo (a European ticket marketplace) for $4.05 billion.

StubHub is a ticket resale marketplace. It is not the primary ticket seller (like Ticketmaster). Instead, people who already bought tickets list them for sale. Other people buy those tickets.

 

StubHub sells tickets for:

· Concerts and music festivals

· Sports events (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college)

· Broadway shows and theater

· Comedy shows

· Cirque du Soleil and special events

StubHub does not set ticket prices. Sellers do. Prices go up when demand is high. Prices go down when demand is low or the event is close.

 

 

How StubHub Works for Buyers

Step 1: Search for your event

Enter the artist, team, or event name. Choose your date and city.

 

Step 2: Compare tickets

StubHub shows available tickets from different sellers. You see:

· Section, row, seat numbers

· Price per ticket

· Total price (including fees)

· Delivery method (mobile transfer, PDF, UPS)

 

Step 3: Pay for tickets

You enter payment information. StubHub charges your card immediately. You see the final total including fees.

 

Step 4: Receive tickets

Sellers have until the day of the event to transfer tickets (usually sooner). Most tickets are delivered within 24 hours. Mobile transfer is most common.

 

Step 5: Go to the event

Scan your phone at the venue. You are in.

Guarantee: StubHub guarantees you will receive valid tickets on time. If something goes wrong, StubHub finds replacement tickets (often better seats) or gives you a full refund.

 

StubHub Buyer Fees

This is where StubHub gets frustrating.

StubHub adds fees at checkout. You see one price when browsing. You see a higher price when paying.

 

Typical fees:

· Service fee: 15-25% of ticket price

· Order processing fee: $1-5 per order

· Delivery fee: $0-5 (usually free for mobile transfer)

 

Example:

• Ticket price shown: $100
• Service fee (20%): $20
• Order processing fee: $3
• Total you pay: $123

You pay 23% more than the listed price. This is normal for StubHub. But many buyers feel tricked.

Pro tip: On the ticket search page, toggle “Show prices with fees.” This shows you the final price including fees. No surprises at checkout.

 

 

How StubHub Works for Sellers

Step 1: List your tickets

You enter section, row, seat numbers, and your asking price. StubHub suggests a price based on recent sales.

 

Step 2: Tickets sell

When someone buys your tickets, StubHub charges their card. StubHub collects your seller information (tax ID, bank account).

 

Step 3: Transfer tickets

You transfer tickets to the buyer (mobile transfer, PDF, or UPS). StubHub provides instructions.

 

Step 4: Get paid

StubHub pays you after the event (usually 5-8 business days). This protects buyers. If tickets are invalid, StubHub can refund the buyer and withhold your payment.

• StubHub Seller Fees
• StubHub takes a cut of your sale.
• Seller fee: 10-15% of your ticket price

 

Example:

• You sell tickets for $100
• StubHub seller fee (12%): $12
• You receive: $88

Some sellers raise their price to cover fees. This makes tickets more expensive for buyers.

Taxes: StubHub reports your sales to the IRS if you sell over $600 in a year (Form 1099-K). You pay income tax on your profits.

 

StubHub vs Ticketmaster vs Alternatives

• StubHub – Largest resale marketplace. High buyer fees. Good guarantee. Best selection.
• Ticketmaster – Primary ticket seller. Official tickets (no counterfeits). Also has resale (“Verified Resale” or “Ticket Exchange”). Lower fees than StubHub.
• TickPick – No buyer fees. Price shown is final price. Smaller selection. Best for price-conscious buyers.
• SeatGeek – Aggregates tickets from multiple marketplaces. Shows final price including fees. Good mobile app.
• Gametime – Last-minute tickets (event within 7 days). Good for deals close to show time. Mobile-only.
• Vivid Seats – Similar to StubHub. Slightly lower fees. $10 off first purchase for new customers.
• CashorTrade – Face-value or less. No fees. Best for fans selling to fans. Limited selection.
• Any honest StubHub review must admit that TickPick and SeatGeek are better for buyers who want to avoid high fees.

 

StubHub Customer Service

For buyers: 24/7 phone and chat support. StubHub’s guarantee is solid. If tickets are fake or do not arrive, StubHub finds replacements or refunds you.

For sellers: Mixed reviews. Some sellers wait weeks for payment. Others receive payment quickly. Customer service can be hard to reach for sellers.

 

Common complaints:

· Long wait times on phone (30-60 minutes)

· Automated replies that do not help

· Disputes resolved slowly

 

Common praise:

· Got replacement tickets when seller failed to transfer

· Refund processed quickly for canceled events

 

StubHub vs Ticketmaster Resale Comparison

• StubHub: Largest selection. High buyer fees (20-25%). Sellers pay 10-15%. Strong buyer guarantee.
• Ticketmaster Resale: Official tickets (verified). Lower buyer fees (15-20%?). Sellers pay 10-15%. Fewer tickets available.
• Which is better for buyers? Ticketmaster if available (lower fees). StubHub if Ticketmaster has no tickets.
• Which is better for sellers? StubHub has more buyers. Ticketmaster has lower seller fees (sometimes).

 

StubHub Pros and Cons

Pros 

· Largest ticket selection (millions of listings)

· Buyer guarantee (replacement tickets or refund)

· 24/7 customer support

· Easy to list and sell tickets

· Mobile app works well

· Sellers can price tickets at market value

· Good for sold-out events

 

Cons

· High buyer fees (20-25% above listed price)

· High seller fees (10-15%)

· Final price hidden until checkout (use “show with fees”)

· Customer service hold times can be long

· Some sellers transfer tickets late

· Sellers wait 5-8 days after event to get paid

 

Who Should Use StubHub?

Good for buyers:

· People who need tickets for sold-out events

· Buyers who value selection over lowest price

· People who want buyer protection (guarantee)

· Last-minute buyers (tickets available until event start)

 

Good for sellers:

· People with extra tickets to sold-out events

· Season ticket holders who cannot attend some games

· Sellers willing to pay 10-15% fees

· People who want to reach the largest audience

 

Not good for buyers:

· Price-sensitive shoppers (use TickPick)

· People buying tickets for non-sold-out events (use Ticketmaster)

 

Not good for sellers:

· People selling cheap tickets (fees eat profits)

· Anyone who wants immediate payment

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is StubHub legit?

Yes. StubHub is a legitimate, established ticket marketplace. The buyer guarantee protects you. You will get valid tickets or your money back.

 

2. Are StubHub fees really that high?

Yes. Buyers pay 20-25% above listed price. Sellers pay 10-15% of their sale price. Always toggle “Show prices with fees” to see the final total.

 

3. Is StubHub cheaper than Ticketmaster?

No. Ticketmaster resale fees are lower. But StubHub has more tickets for sold-out events.

 

4. When do I get my tickets from StubHub?

Most tickets are delivered within 24 hours of purchase. Some sellers transfer tickets on the day of the event. You can contact customer support if tickets do not arrive.

 

5. Should I use StubHub or TickPick?

TickPick has no buyer fees (you pay the listed price). Use TickPick if price is your priority. Use StubHub if selection is your priority (TickPick has fewer tickets).

 

Final Verdict

• Overall Rating: 4.0 / 5
• Selection: 5/5
• Buyer fees: 2.5/5
• Seller fees: 3.5/5
• Customer service: 3.5/5
• Ease of use: 4.5/5
• Guarantee: 5/5

 

Verdict:

This StubHub review concludes that StubHub is the best option for finding tickets to sold-out events. The selection is unmatched. The buyer guarantee gives you peace of mind.

But the fees are painful. You will pay 20-25% more than the listed price. Use TickPick or SeatGeek for lower fees if your event is not sold out.

For sellers, StubHub reaches the most buyers. But you pay 10-15% fees and wait 5-8 days after the event for payment.

 

My Recommendation

Buyers: Check Ticketmaster first (lower fees). If sold out, use StubHub but toggle “Show prices with fees.” Also check TickPick for the same event (no fees). Buy from the cheaper option.

Sellers: List on StubHub for maximum exposure. Also list on TickPick and SeatGeek (lower fees). Do not list only on StubHub.

Pro tip for buyers: Buy tickets 2-7 days before the event. Prices often drop as the event approaches. Avoid buying months in advance unless it is a super high-demand event (Taylor Swift, Super Bowl, playoffs).

Pro tip for sellers: Price competitively. Check what other sellers are asking. Undercut them by $1-5. Your tickets will sell faster.

 

 

Have You Used StubHub?

I want to hear from you. Have you bought or sold tickets on StubHub? Was it a good experience? Drop a comment below.

And if this StubHub review helped you, share it with someone going to a concert or game.