NFL StubHub listings without the newly implemented all-in pricing format are noticeable.
In a bid to comply with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) new "Junk Fees Rule," StubHub, a leading platform for both primary and secondary sales in the event ticket market, is working to adjust its mobile app interface. The rule, which took effect on May 12, aims to ban undisclosed fees in live-event ticketing, including sports tickets, and requires platforms like StubHub to show the full price including all fees upfront.
The FTC, under the leadership of Chair Rebecca Slaughter and Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Lina Khan, has issued guidance to help companies comply. Specifically, they have called for StubHub to conform to the rule ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
However, as of Tuesday afternoon, some NFL ticket listings on StubHub's desktop site and mobile app did not appear to be listing "all-in pricing," despite the new FTC rule. This suggests that while enforcement is active, some listings may still be in transition or StubHub may be in the process of adjusting its mobile app interface to fully reflect all-in pricing consistently.
For instance, a pair of tickets in Section 116 at Lincoln Financial Field showed a price of $863 each on StubHub's mobile app, but subsequent pages included a note that said "tax, fulfillment fee and service fee not included." After being asked about this issue, StubHub's listings for the Sept. 4 Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles game shifted to all-in pricing within a few hours.
StubHub's general counsel Mark Streams stated that the company is complying with the FTC's new national standard for event ticket and vacation rental resale marketplaces. The statement indicated that the new FTC rules are "one step toward addressing the broken ticketing industry," with the aim of providing consumers with clear, upfront pricing information.
It's important to note that the article does not provide any new information about the hidden fees or pricing issues on StubHub's desktop site and mobile app beyond the fact that the company is complying with the FTC's new rules.
The new FTC rule was announced back in December, and StubHub had $1.77 billion in revenue in 2024 and $8.68 billion in gross sales. In March, StubHub filed paperwork with the SEC to explore a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO). However, plans for an IPO were delayed a few weeks later, according to the Wall Street Journal, due to market uncertainty related to the Trump administration's new trade wars.
The rule applies to resale marketplaces for event tickets and vacation rentals, marking a significant step in consumer protection. The purpose of the rule is to provide consumers with clear, upfront pricing information to avoid hidden fees, ensuring a fair and transparent market for all.
As the NFL released its 2025 schedule this week, causing fans to rush to buy tickets on StubHub, the platform is working diligently to comply with the new FTC rule. The FTC, for its part, did not immediately return a request for comment regarding compliance efforts.
[1] Source: Federal Trade Commission, StubHub press releases, and industry news outlets.
- StubHub, in accordance with the FTC's new rule, is making efforts to provide clear, upfront pricing for football (sports) tickets on its platform, aiming to avoid hidden fees and ensure a fair and transparent market.
- As the NFL season of 2025 approaches, the FTC, along with StubHub's general counsel Mark Streams, emphasizes that the new rule is significant for the business (event ticket market) and events like football (sports), promoting transparency in pricing information.
