Store prices ยท Updated 2026-05-31

StubHub Prices: Why the Ticket Costs More at Checkout

StubHub is a resale marketplace, so prices are set by sellers and move with demand - and service fees added near checkout can lift the total well above the listed price.

StubHub is one of the largest secondary ticket marketplaces in the US, where individuals and brokers resell tickets to concerts, sports and theater. Prices aren't set by StubHub directly - sellers list them, and they swing with demand, so the same seat can cost very differently week to week. The number that matters is the all-in total after fees, which can run meaningfully above the price you first see.

StubHub price snapshot

What you're buyingTypical priceHow StubHub compares
Local/regional sports (regular season)$20 - $150 per ticketOften near or below face value for non-marquee games; cheapest close to event time.
Major concert (mid-tier artist)$60 - $300 per ticketDemand-driven; resale can sit above or below face depending on how the show is selling.
High-demand concert / tour$200 - $1,000+ per ticketHot tours command big resale premiums, especially early; can fall as the date nears.
Premium / playoff sports$150 - $1,500+ per ticketMarquee matchups and postseason carry the steepest markups over face.
Service fee added at checkoutRoughly 10 - 30% of ticket priceThe biggest hidden cost; the listed price isn't what you pay.

How StubHub prices work

StubHub is a marketplace, so each listing's price is set by the seller, not StubHub. Prices float with supply and demand: a show that's selling slowly often sees resale dip below face value as the date approaches, while a sold-out, high-demand event climbs well above it. There's no fixed 'StubHub price' for a given seat - it's a moving target.

On top of the listed price, StubHub adds a service/buyer fee that's typically shown later in the checkout flow rather than up front. That fee can add a double-digit percentage to the ticket, which is why the price you click on and the price you pay often differ. StubHub does offer an all-in pricing toggle in some markets that shows the fee-inclusive total - using it makes comparisons honest.

Where StubHub is cheap - and where it isn't

StubHub tends to be cheapest on lower-demand events and as the clock runs down: sellers cut prices to avoid being stuck with tickets, so last-minute deals on non-sellout shows can land below face. Weeknight games and less-hyped tour dates are where bargains hide.

It's least friendly for high-demand, must-see events, where resale premiums are steep and fees are large in absolute terms. For those, primary tickets at face (if available) usually beat resale, and comparing StubHub against other resale marketplaces for the same seats matters because fee structures differ.

How to pay less on StubHub

Turn on all-in pricing so you compare fee-inclusive totals, not pre-fee stickers. For events that aren't selling out, wait - prices commonly drop in the final days. Always cross-check the same section and event against other resale sites, since the identical seats can be cheaper elsewhere once fees are counted. Comparing the all-in total across marketplaces before you buy is the surest way to avoid overpaying.

How to pay less at StubHub

  • Turn on the all-in (fee-inclusive) pricing view so you're comparing real totals, not pre-fee listed prices.
  • For events that aren't selling out, wait until the final days - sellers often cut prices to avoid unsold tickets.
  • Cross-check the same section and date on other resale marketplaces; identical seats can be cheaper once fees are added.
  • Check whether primary tickets at face value are still available before paying a resale premium.
  • Avoid the highest-demand windows right after a tour announcement, when resale prices and fees spike.
  • Filter by your true budget after fees, and watch for StubHub promo codes that reduce the service fee.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is StubHub more expensive at checkout?

StubHub adds a service/buyer fee that's often shown later in checkout, typically a double-digit percentage of the ticket price. That's why the all-in total can run well above the listed price you first clicked.

Does StubHub set the ticket prices?

No. StubHub is a resale marketplace where individual sellers and brokers set prices, which move with demand. StubHub adds its fees on top but doesn't control the base listing price.

When are StubHub prices cheapest?

For events that aren't sold out, prices often drop in the final days before the show as sellers try to offload tickets. Weeknight games and lower-demand tour dates tend to be the best values.

Is StubHub cheaper than the box office?

It depends. For high-demand events, primary tickets at face value are usually cheaper than StubHub's resale premium plus fees. For slow-selling events, StubHub resale can dip below face - so compare both.

Are StubHub fees included in the price shown?

Not always. By default the listed price may exclude the buyer fee until checkout, though StubHub offers an all-in pricing toggle in some markets. Turn it on to see the true total before comparing.

Is the same ticket cheaper on another resale site?

Often, yes. Because fee structures differ between marketplaces, the identical seats can come out cheaper elsewhere once everything is added. Comparing the all-in total across sites before buying is the only way to be sure.

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