StubHub to refund $10M to consumers over FTC hidden fees accusation
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StubHub will refund $10 million to consumers and revamp the way it shows ticket costs after the Federal Trade Commission accused the corporate of deceptively promoting live-event tickets with out absolutely disclosing necessary upfront fees.
“The Commission’s Fees Rule makes it very clear that the total price of live-event tickets must be disclosed up-front to enable consumers to make fully informed purchasing decisions,” FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Christopher Mufarrige wrote in an announcement. “Price transparency is essential to a free and competitive marketplace. Today’s settlement underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that consumers pay the price they are promised.”
The firm had marketed ticket costs on its web site throughout a three-day stretch final May “without clearly and conspicuously disclosing up-front how many consumers would actually pay, including all mandatory fees,” the FTC wrote in a complaint and proposed settlement filed within the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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The window of a StubHub workplace in midtown Manhattan.
A StubHub spokesperson stated the corporate disagreed with the FTC’s view of the case however is refunding a portion of affected buyers’ fees to handle the company’s considerations.
“This settlement covers a limited number of transactions, spanning just three days in May 2025, where some listings on our site may have displayed ticket prices exclusive of fees,” the spokesperson stated.
The company started enforcing its “Fees Rule” in May 2025, requiring companies to clearly disclose the entire value of live-event tickets.
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The FTC stated it had sent a warning letter to the ticketing platform after the rule was shaped.
Through this settlement, the corporate will present financial reduction to eligible consumers and the order additionally requires StubHub to disclose the entire value extra prominently on its platform.
The company has elevated its enforcement efforts following the Trump administration’s executive order on ticketing in March of final 12 months, which directs the FTC to “take appropriate action… to ensure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchase process, including the secondary ticketing market.”
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“My administration is committed to making as accessible as possible the arts and entertainment that enrich Americans’ lives,” Trump’s order stated. “The rent-seeking behaviors surrounding the ticketing industry are contrary to this goal. They are detrimental to consumers and capitalize on market distortions that must not be allowed to persist.”
The FTC highlighted gross sales of high-demand NFL tickets round May 14, 2025, when the league schedule was introduced, for example of the alleged violations.
The settlement would require StubHub to fund a $10 million shopper redress program for eligible patrons who bought tickets for US stay occasions between May 12 and 14, 2025. Within 90 days of the order, the corporate should present refunds to two teams: consumers whose complete ticket value was not disclosed on the preliminary pricing show, and all different consumers who bought tickets throughout that interval.
Andrew Ferguson grew to become the FTC chair below President Donald Trump’s second administration. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Getty)
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Beyond the financial reduction, the proposed order would bar StubHub from misrepresenting the entire value of products or providers, the character or quantity of fees, the ultimate cost quantity, and different materials information, together with refund and cancellation phrases.
The fee voted 2-0 to authorize the grievance and stipulated ultimate order. The case was filed in federal court docket within the Southern District of New York. The settlement will take impact if accredited by a district court docket decide.
