Canadians who have purchased tickets for events on StubHub could be a part of a nationwide class-action lawsuit.
On Wednesday, Vancouver resident Mark Gallagher filed a civil claim against the ticket resale site with the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
The proposed class action claims that despite StubHub marketing “security and trust,” it does not uphold its promises to consumers.
It points specifically to the resaler’s FanProtect Guarantee, which states that buyers will get their tickets in time for an event, the tickets will be valid for entry, and they will be the same or comparable to those a customer has ordered.
StubHub promises that if any of these things do not occur, it will find customers comparable or better tickets to the event, or offer a refund of what the customer paid for their purchase, or credit of the same amount.
The class action claims that the resale site “regularly declines” to honour this guarantee.
“When tickets are unavailable because a consumer either does not receive their ticket in time for the event or does not receive a ticket that is valid at entry, StubHub does not provide comparable or better tickets,” reads the notice of civil claim.
It further alleges that the company knowingly provides inferior tickets and/or refuses to offer refunds, even when comparable tickets are available.
“StubHub knows, or reasonably ought to know, that when it offers inferior tickets shortly before an event, the consumer is left with no meaningful choice. This practice is a form of undue pressure for consumers to accept inferior tickets,” reads the class action.
These claims have not been tested in court. Daily Hive has reached out to StubHub for a statement and will update the story when the company replies.
Cancelled World Cup tickets
Around March 7, 2026, the plaintiff, Gallagher, paid StubHub $11,407.11 and $2,011.28 to buy two sets of two tickets to the Canada versus Qatar FIFA World Cup game in Vancouver on June 18, 2026.
He also paid $5,765.15 to the ticket resale site for two tickets to the Switzerland versus Canada World Cup game on the same day.
According to the notice of civil claim, the purchase confirmation of neither the Qatar tickets nor the Switzerland tickets disclosed the exact seat number of each ticket.
On June 14, Gallagher was notified that two of the Qatar tickets were ready to be delivered with instructions on how to access them. After failing to get the tickets with the instructions provided, he said he contacted the StubHub helpline shortly after.
Leading up to the Qatar game, Gallagher went back and forth with the helpline, who continued to say that his file had been “escalated” and that tickets would be available the “next day.”
“In the day or so prior to the event, StubHub Help Line staff’s advice changed. Each different staff member now told the Plaintiff that the tickets would be available within ‘two to three’ hours. The tickets did not materialize despite numerous such promises and assurances that the Plaintiff’s file had been ‘escalated,’” reads the class action.
Gallagher remained on the helpline until around 4 a.m. on the day of the Qatar game, and StubHub allegedly continued to promise the tickets within “two to three hours.”
“Relying on the defendants’ promises and assurances, the Plaintiff travelled to BC Place Stadium before the game started to ensure he was able to watch the game when the tickets arrived as promised. They did not,” reads the class action.
Shortly after the game started, the class action claims that StubHub staff advised Gallagher that there were no tickets as promised. The company did not provide alternate seats comparable to the tickets he bought, despite there allegedly being comparable tickets available.
Gallagher received a refund, but is still suing the ticket reseller for punitive damages.
Who could be a part of this class action against StubHub?
Gallagher filed this proposed class action on behalf of anyone who entered into a distance contract relating to a resale ticket for an event held in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, or Ontario with StubHub and other ticket resale sites it owns, including Viagogo, whose ticket was not produced by any of the defendants, or who were provided with a different ticket than the one purchased, since March 31, 2025.
According to the proposed class action, the plaintiff and class members suffered damages as a result of StubHub’s alleged misrepresentations, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Travel and accommodation costs to the venue
- Loss of income
- The difference in the full value of the ticket purchased
Gallagher is seeking monetary relief on his own behalf and on behalf of the class members.
The proposed class action still needs to be certified in court, so if you think you’re eligible, keep an eye on any updates.
Header image credit: Shutterstock
