It all started with a ticket to The Lion King…
In 2000, StubHub founder Eric Baker wanted to see a Broadway show. But when he found out The Lion King was sold out, he faced a dilemma familiar to millions: risk buying from a stranger on the street—or skip the experience entirely. There was no safe marketplace to resell or buy tickets from sold out shows.
So he built one.
The Problem StubHub Set Out to Solve
Before StubHub, buying and selling tickets was a game of luck—and trust. Fans relied on scalpers, sketchy listings, and in-person swaps. There was no standard guarantee. No real-time listings. No accountability.
That moment outside the Broadway theater sparked a simple but radical idea: What if buying and selling tickets could be safe and reliable?
StubHub became the first platform to truly transform live event access for fans—pioneering innovations that have since become industry standards:
- 2006: The industry’s first ticket guarantee – StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee
- 2008: The first e-delivery system using barcodes
- 2010: The first mobile ticketing app
Why StubHub Still Stands Apart
Today, StubHub connects fans to over 100 million live events every year—from concerts and sports to theater, comedy, and festivals. And while a lot has changed in 25 years, the mission has stayed the same: make live events accessible and convenient for everyone.
Here’s what continues to set StubHub apart:
1. Access for All
Live events shouldn’t just be for those with insider access or hours to spend in ticketing queues. Whether you’re buying last-minute or searching for front-row seats, StubHub puts the power back in fans’ hands—with real-time inventory and no exclusive gatekeeping.
2. Real Choice
Fans can browse a massive range of price points—from under-$50 deals to VIP packages. In fact, nearly 80% of U.S. concert tickets sold on StubHub in 2024 were priced under $100.
3. The FanProtect Guarantee
Every order is backed by the FanProtect Guarantee: fans get in, or get their money back. It’s peace of mind, built into the platform.
4. Global, Yet Local
StubHub (together with viagogo internationally) serves customers in over 200 countries and territories, across 33 languages and 48 currencies. That global reach gives sellers broader visibility—and gives fans more ways to access the experiences they love.
5. A True Alternative to the Monopoly
StubHub exists to challenge that dynamic—creating a more open, flexible, and fan-friendly ecosystem.
Built by Fans, for Fans
99% of StubHub sellers are fans themselves. These aren’t big brokers or faceless companies—they’re people selling extra tickets, changing plans, or helping someone else have a great night out.
StubHub makes it easy: sellers set the price, the market decides, and payouts are fast, secure, and transparent.
25 Years In, Still Disrupting
StubHub didn’t just invent modern ticket resale. It created a fan-first alternative that continues to challenge the status quo.
So the next time you score last-minute tickets to see your favorite artist or your team’s playoff game—know that the moment started with one Broadway show, a problem worth solving, and a better way to buy and sell tickets.