My Nightmare Buying Tickets on StubHub and Gametime. What Every Fan Should Know.

In July of 2025, I bought tickets on StubHub for my son and me to attend a World Cup game in L.A. to support the U.S. men’s national team. Watching our men’s national team is a dream we've pursued to relive since he was seven years old (pictured above).

The purchase went through, but the tickets never arrived.

Just days before the game, I received an email from StubHub stating, “There's an issue delivering your tickets, but our FanProtect Guarantee has you covered. Replacement tickets may still be available. If not, you'll get your money back.”

No replacement tickets were available, which, according to the fine print in their FanProtect remedy (refund or replacement), is at StubHub’s “sole discretion,” allowing the company to choose a refund even if better tickets are available.

I had already spent thousands on airfare and hotel costs and taken three days off from work. Our only option was a refund, but the thousands spent on travel remained our responsibility. I was told by a customer service agent on the phone that our refund will take up to three business days to process, and then up to another eight business days to be received.

Our experience is not an isolated incident.

The BBB profile for StubHub (Inc.) reports 10,640 total complaints in the last 3 years. It also notes a high proportion of unresolved complaints and gives StubHub an “F” rating. 33% of StubHub’s 22,841 Trustpilot reviews give it 1 out of 5 stars. SiteJabber's SmartCustomer aggregate shows StubHub with 936 reviews and an average rating of 1.2/5. The FTC forced StubHub to pay millions in fees to consumers after deceptive ticket pricing.

But it’s the stories that are heartbreaking.

One person reached out and told me that she and her husband purchased tickets for the Egypt vs. New Zealand World Cup match, but despite paying in full, the tickets were never delivered. They spent hours outside the stadium trying to resolve the issue and ultimately missed the match entirely. It was supposed to be their 16th anniversary celebration and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You can read countless stories for yourself on the Reddit StubHub thread and the Facebook group StubHub Customer Complaints/Help & Advice.

I also purchased three Round of 32 tickets using Gametime on December 5th of 2025. The image showed three seats listed as 14-16 at the half line, but the fine print noted we had “Category 1” seats, which meant any three seats together throughout the lower bowl.

I asked Gametime multiple times for my tickets and the specifics of my tickets. Unlike StubHub, refunds were unavailable. So the risk is that the seller holds onto the tickets until the last possible moment, which he did. I could see what he paid for the tickets, and he doubled his money.

I’ve used Gametime countless times to purchase tickets for other events. Up until now, I’ve had a great experience. I’m miffed.

My son will attend with friends. I chose to sell my tickets on the FIFA marketplace. After my experience with Gametime, doing so on Gametime seemed shady, so I didn’t do it.  Right now, I’m asking what I paid for them on the FIFA resale marketplace. I doubt I’ll get that.

FIFA is not entirely innocent in the skyrocketing costs of World Cup tickets, nor are they angels. FIFA has a long history of corruption, even in the United States.

Compared with past World Cups, prices today are far higher, even after inflation adjustment. For the first time, FIFA implemented dynamic pricing for 2026 World Cup tickets in the United States. Prices fluctuate in real time based on demand and inventory. High-demand matches see significant price spikes. FIFA sells these tickets through its Official FIFA Ticket Portal and also operates an official resale platform, which takes a 30% cut on secondary transactions.

Who’s to blame? The United States. Here's how...

As you can see from the screenshot above that I took when listing my tickets, tickets to matches at Toronto Stadium may only be listed on the FIFA Resale Marketplace at the original price paid to FIFA Ticketing (including applicable taxes and fees), or for less, thanks to a law passed in 2017. 

If you are a resident of Mexico, you must use the official FIFA Exchange Marketplace. Mexican law restricts residents to face-value resales, meaning you can only sell tickets for the exact original price you paid (or less).

I’m sick and tired of consumers and everyday folks being betrayed by a government that should be serving us, but now, more than ever, their focus is serving themselves. And the tenacity of doing so has exceeded what I’ve experienced in my lifetime, a culture of corruption stemming from our president and has worked its way to every part of our lives.  

The failure of the United States to curb FIFA’s price hikes has sent passionate fans to third-party platforms to bargain hunt for tickets to the game of their dreams, which has turned into nightmares.

Related: How the Trump Administration’s Attacks on the FTC and CFPB Put Everyday Americans at Risk

How to Avoid Being Scammed

​If your top priority is making sure you actually get into the stadium on match day, unfortunately, your best option is to purchase tickets through FIFA's official ticketing platform. Buying directly from FIFA ensures your tickets are legitimate, delivered through the official FIFA mobile ticketing system, and recognized for entry at the venue.

If tickets are no longer available through the primary sale, the FIFA Official Resale Marketplace is the next safest place to buy. Buyers should be aware that FIFA charges a 15% service fee on resale purchases, while sellers also pay a 15% fee when their tickets are sold. These fees are reflected in the final purchase price before checkout.

We were blessed to buy last-minute tickets on FIFA’s website. It was an expensive last-minute purchase that some might not be able to afford, or, in the saddest cases, couldn’t afford because they were left stranded at a stadium entrance after traveling and missed the game altogether.

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I don’t write about soccer or event tickets very often, but I am passionate about sharing ideas to manage money and the home as a team in your relationship, and I take a special interest in advocating for consumer rights and a government that works for us.

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