Story perspectives

CMA Fines StubHub £889k, Orders £590k Refunds to Customers

6/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined StubHub UK £889,200 and ordered refunds of £590,000 to over 50,000 customers.
The illegal “drip pricing” ran from 6 April to 7 December 2025, adding checkout fees.
StubHub must repay 51,350 fans an average of £10.33 each after a 40 % fine reduction.
Emma Cochrane, CMA director, said hidden fees are illegal and unfair while the regulator probes eight firms including Viagogo under Digital Markets Act powers.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the EU adopted the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (2005/29/EC) to ban hidden fees and require clear pricing. The UK Competition and Markets Authority, which took over from the Office of Fair Trading in 2014, has imposed fines on ticket-resale platforms for drip-pricing, applying the same rules. The pressure now extends to Viagogo and other sites under Digital Markets Act scrutiny.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined StubHub UK £889,200 and ordered refunds of £590,000 to over 50,000 customers.
The illegal “drip pricing” ran from 6 April to 7 December 2025, adding checkout fees.
StubHub must repay 51,350 fans an average of £10.33 each after a 40 % fine reduction.
Emma Cochrane, CMA director, said hidden fees are illegal and unfair while the regulator probes eight firms including Viagogo under Digital Markets Act powers.

1 / 2