The Competition and Markets Authority has fined StubHub UK for using hidden ticket fees that misled consumers during the purchasing process [1].
This enforcement action targets "drip pricing," a practice where the full cost of a service is not revealed until the final stages of checkout. By preventing customers from seeing the total price upfront, the regulator said the company gained an unfair advantage and deceived buyers.
The UK watchdog imposed a fine of £900,000 [1], though other reports place the figure between £889,000 and £889,200 [2], [3]. In addition to the penalty, the regulator ordered StubHub to provide refunds to more than 50,000 customers [1].
According to the CMA, the company's failure to display the comprehensive cost of tickets until the end of the transaction was illegal. The average refund payout per affected customer is estimated at £10.33 [3].
This case follows broader investigations into the ticket resale industry, including scrutiny of other platforms like Viagogo. The CMA said the move is intended to ensure transparency and fairness in the digital marketplace, protecting consumers from unexpected costs at the point of sale.
StubHub must now implement changes to its pricing display to comply with UK consumer protection laws. The regulator's action on June 23, 2026, signals a stricter approach toward platforms that obscure the true cost of goods and services [1].
“The Competition and Markets Authority has fined StubHub UK for using hidden ticket fees.”
This ruling establishes a clear regulatory precedent against drip pricing in the UK's digital economy. By forcing a major resale platform to refund thousands of customers for relatively small amounts, the CMA is prioritizing the principle of price transparency over the total monetary value of the fraud. This likely signals upcoming enforcement actions against other e-commerce sectors that utilize tiered pricing structures to lure consumers into a checkout funnel.
