Ticket reseller StubHub UK has been fined almost £900,000 for failing to display the full price of tickets at the time of booking, a practice known as drip pricing that is illegal in the UK. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ordered the company to make payments to more than 50,000 affected fans, with the average refund expected to be around £10 per transaction.
Investigation Findings
The CMA investigation found that between April 6 and December 7, 2025, StubHub did not include mandatory costs such as delivery and service fees until the checkout process, violating UK consumer protection law. Drip pricing is banned because it misleads customers into thinking a ticket is cheaper than it actually is.
StubHub cooperated with the investigation and took steps to end the practice early. As a result, the company received a 40% reduction on its fine, which was originally set higher. Customers due a refund will be contacted automatically by StubHub and do not need to take any action.
Official Statements
Emma Cochrane, Executive Director of Consumer Protection at the CMA, said: "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."
StubHub said in a statement: "StubHub International supports the CMA's work to protect consumers online and fully cooperated with this investigation. Our platform is designed to display all fees upfront – due to an isolated platform error, some minor fees appeared at checkout rather than earlier in the buying process. We identified and corrected the issue promptly, and all affected customers will receive an automatic refund."
Impact on Consumers
The fine and refunds underscore the CMA's commitment to enforcing pricing transparency. Fans who purchased tickets during the affected period will receive their refunds directly, with no need to file a claim. The CMA has warned that other businesses using similar practices could face enforcement action.
