StubHub UK Fined $1.2M, Ordered to Refund 50,000 Customers

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined secondary ticketing platform StubHub UK almost £900,000 (around $1.2M) and ordered it to refund more than 50,000 customers.

But why:

• The CMA found the company guilty of drip pricing, meaning it revealed mandatory costs such as delivery and service fees at the final stage of the checkout process.

• By not including those fees upfront, StubHub UK violated British consumer law.

• The CMA investigation covered the period April 6 to December 7, 2025.

The punishment:

• In addition to fining StubHub UK almost £900,000, the CMA ordered it to refund more than 50,000 customers the “hidden fee” they were charged, with the average payout expected to be around £10 per person.

• StubHub admitted to breaking the law and agreed to settle the case early, resulting in a 40% reduction to its financial penalty.

What they said:

• Emma Cochrane, Executive Director of Consumer Protection at the CMA: “Hitting customers with hidden fees is illegal. It’s not fair to draw people in with what looks like a good deal, only for them to find the real price is higher when they get to the checkout due to extra charges that can’t be avoided. Going to a live gig or sports game is an event many people save for – and our action today means thousands of fans will get back money taken unfairly through hidden fees. Our message to businesses is simple: be transparent on costs or risk CMA action.”