StubHub
Ticket resale marketplace platform that enables fans to buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater, and other live entertainment events.
Company Type
public
Founded
2000
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California, USA
About StubHub
StubHub operates a comprehensive ticket resale marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of tickets for live entertainment events.
Key features include:
- Ticket resale marketplace for sports, concerts, theater, and other events
- Fan-to-fan ticket exchanges
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Price tracking and alerts
- Virtual ticket delivery
- Integration with venue systems
- Customer service and support
- Partnership programs with teams and venues
The platform operates on a commission-based model, taking a percentage of ticket sales. StubHub serves both individual consumers looking for tickets and sellers wanting to resell tickets they can no longer use.
The company has partnerships with major sports leagues, concert promoters, and venues to provide official resale marketplaces for their events.
History of StubHub
StubHub was founded in 2000 by Eric Baker as a ticket resale marketplace. The company grew rapidly by providing a platform for fans to buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater, and other live entertainment events.
In 2008, StubHub was acquired by eBay for $310 million, providing resources for expansion and development. Under eBay ownership, the company continued to grow and establish itself as the leading ticket resale platform.
Eric Baker left StubHub in 2012 to found Viagogo, a competing ticket resale platform. In November 2019, Viagogo announced it would acquire StubHub for $4.05 billion, bringing Baker back to lead the combined company.
The acquisition timing proved challenging as it occurred just before the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused StubHub to lose approximately 90% of its revenue. Forbes described the transaction as "one of the worst deals in history" due to the pandemic's impact on live events.
The Viagogo acquisition was finalized in September 2021, with both companies placed under StubHub Holdings management. The company closed its offices in Hong Kong and San Francisco in 2022 as part of restructuring efforts.
In 2024, StubHub faced legal challenges when the Attorney General for the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit alleging the company used drip pricing and countdown clocks to create false urgency and mislead customers. StubHub maintained that its practices comply with law and are consistent with competitor practices.
StubHub Holdings became a public company via IPO in September 2025, following previous delays in 2022 and early 2024.
Brands Owned by StubHub
StubHub owns 0 brands in our database.
StubHub Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Leading position in global ticket resale market
- +Strong brand recognition and user trust
- +Comprehensive platform features and mobile apps
- +Extensive partnerships with teams and venues
- +Public company providing liquidity and capital access
Considerations
- -Regulatory scrutiny over pricing practices
- -Competition from primary ticketing platforms
- -Dependence on live entertainment industry health
- -Legal challenges and regulatory compliance costs
- -Market volatility related to event cancellations
Frequently Asked Questions About StubHub
Is StubHub publicly traded?
Yes, StubHub became a publicly traded company via IPO in September 2025, operating as StubHub Holdings on the stock exchange.
Who owns StubHub?
StubHub is owned by StubHub Holdings, a public company formed after Viagogo's acquisition in 2021. Major stakeholders include Viagogo, Eric Baker (CEO), and various institutional investors.
Who founded StubHub?
StubHub was founded in 2000 by Eric Baker, who currently serves as CEO of the combined StubHub Holdings company.
Was StubHub owned by eBay?
Yes, StubHub was owned by eBay from 2008 to 2012, when it was sold back to Eric Baker and other investors before being acquired by Viagogo in 2021.
What services does StubHub offer?
StubHub provides a ticket resale marketplace where fans can buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater, and other live entertainment events, with features like mobile apps, price tracking, and virtual ticket delivery.
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