Story perspectives

Consumer Protection probes StubHub over 400 FIFA ticket complaints

6/27/2026

Summary

Sharma Investigates StubHub

Attorney General Niki Sharma announced on June 26, 2026 that Consumer Protection BC opened an investigation into StubHub over cancelled FIFA World Cup tickets.
Ticket-industry executive Scott Friedman reported more than 400 complaints and called the situation a massive collapse caused by speculative ticketing.
Consumer Protection BC said it will enforce the Ticket Sales Act and may require refunds within 15 days for cancelled purchases.

Summary

StubHub Fined

StubHub blamed FIFA's new mobile-only ticketing app and its transfer limits for the cancellations.
The FanProtect Guarantee promises refunds or comparable tickets, though buyers often receive downgraded seats.
Industry experts say speculative ghost tickets that sellers do not own drive many failures.
The DOJ antitrust suit alleges Ticketmaster's SafeTix locks tickets into a walled garden.
A UK regulator fined StubHub UK $1.19 million and ordered refunds for over 50,000 customers.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 the U.S. Justice Department flagged Ticketmaster’s exclusive booking practices, a concern that grew into a full antitrust suit filed on May 23 2024 against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. The case spurred worldwide scrutiny, prompting Britain’s CMA to fine StubHub in 2022 and today British Columbia’s Consumer Protection agency to open a probe after 400 complaints.

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Sharma Investigates StubHub

Attorney General Niki Sharma announced on June 26, 2026 that Consumer Protection BC opened an investigation into StubHub over cancelled FIFA World Cup tickets.
Ticket-industry executive Scott Friedman reported more than 400 complaints and called the situation a massive collapse caused by speculative ticketing.
Consumer Protection BC said it will enforce the Ticket Sales Act and may require refunds within 15 days for cancelled purchases.

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