Ticketmaster vs StubHub
Ticketmaster is the primary seller for most big tours and teams and also runs its own fan-to-fan resale; StubHub is a pure resale marketplace. Which is cheaper depends on timing: at on-sale Ticketmaster is usually the floor, while after sell-out the resale market sets the price on both.
*Buyer fees are third-party estimates and float with demand. Facts current as of 2026.
The key difference
Ticketmaster sells face-value tickets first (with service, facility and order fees added), then lists verified resale alongside them. StubHub only sells resale, so its prices track demand from day one. On a sold-out event the same resale seats often appear on both, with different fees on top.
Which should you use?
Buy on Ticketmaster at on-sale or when face-value inventory is still available. Once an event is sold out, compare: StubHub frequently has more listings, but its buyer fee can push the total above Ticketmaster resale for identical seats, and vice versa. Checking the all-in total for your exact section on both is the only reliable test.
See which is cheaper for your event
Prices move by the hour and the cheapest site changes per event. Tixplorer compares live prices across TickPick, Gametime, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster and other trusted marketplaces so you see the lowest total in one search.
Ticketmaster vs StubHub: FAQs
Is Ticketmaster or StubHub cheaper?
At on-sale, Ticketmaster, because face-value tickets plus fees usually undercut resale. After sell-out it varies seat by seat: both add buyer fees in a broadly similar range, so compare the all-in total for the same section before buying.
Are tickets on StubHub real?
Yes. StubHub is a legitimate marketplace and its FanProtect guarantee promises valid tickets or a comparable replacement or refund. Ticketmaster resale is likewise verified. Both are safe; the difference is price and inventory, not legitimacy.
Can I resell Ticketmaster tickets on StubHub?
Usually, yes, via mobile transfer, unless the event uses non-transferable tickets or restricts resale to Ticketmaster's own platform. Check the event's transfer rules before listing.