When comparing SeatGeek vs. StubHub, there’s much to consider, so we’ll start slowly by introducing each platform and highlighting its key features. We’ll then discuss the fees associated with purchasing tickets, a common concern among users. Following that, we’ll examine which site offers a better experience for sports tickets and which excels for concert tickets. We’ll conclude by discussing their commitment to transparency and share our personal preferences based on our experiences with each site.
Skip the Comparison and Head Over to the Site We Like the Most
Our SeatGeek ViewPoint
We appreciate two features of the SeatGeek platform, the updated seating charts and the deal score system. Although the deal score system isn’t always precise for every event, it offers a helpful way to find the best deals on their site. The recently updated seating charts for certain venues provide an excellent view, sometimes in 3D, of where your seats will be. Overall, SeatGeek’s technology excels in visual cleanliness compared to StubHub. We’ll discuss the transparency of these sites later, but SeatGeek does well in showing the fees included in the ticket prices, providing you with better knowledge when checking out. In terms of customer service, they are improving, but they still lack the immediate response that is crucial when issues arise. The money-back-guarantee is reliable, but it requires navigating some hurdles first.
Our StubHub ViewPoint
One of the founders of the resale market, StubHub, continues to lead in providing tickets to fans for all types of events on the secondary market. Surpassing their established brand will be challenging. Even Ticketmaster’s secondary platform is smaller than StubHub. Two features we particularly like about StubHub are its extensive inventory and customer guarantees. StubHub consistently has tickets available for a variety of events, more so than other sites, including SeatGeek. This is also why we recommend exploring several sites before making a purchase. We also mention Vivid Seats, which also has a large inventory as well. Customer service at these platforms is committed to rectifying issues, aiming to avoid any fraudulent processes. While mishaps can occur, they are not intentional. Customer service is there when you need it, investing millions of dollars in this aspect of the business, recognizing it could be crucial to whether you attend the event you desire.
The Battle of the Fees
The dreaded fees are what damage the reputation of most ticket sites. Companies like Ticketmaster initiated these fees, and now we encounter every type imaginable. The main issue is inconsistency. There isn’t just one fee every time. You might face processing fees, shipping fees, venue fees, and many others. When comparing StubHub and SeatGeek, the fees are generally similar, although one may add specific fees for certain events due to the type of event. Typically, you’re looking at around 18% to 30% in fees at checkout. We recommend comparing ticket prices and then the fees. This way, you can decide if one site offers significantly lower fees than the other. Regardless, ticket fees are a part of the buying process. Even sites like TickPick, which claim to have no fees, actually incorporate the fees into their ticket prices. Both StubHub and SeatGeek add fees at the end, or if you toggle a switch, you can see the fees included in the price, similar to TickPick.
Buying Tickets
When it comes to buying tickets, you have hundreds of sites at your disposal. Often, people will stick with the brands they know, which is why we created this comparison. We suggest you always compare two different sites for the event you want to attend. Ticket prices will generally be close, but a savvy shopper could find price discrepancies on similar tickets before the fees are added. Some services allow you to post your tickets on multiple sites at once. Some sellers prefer sticking to one site to avoid the potential issues of their tickets being sold twice, which can cause significant headaches. If you find the same seats on both sites, take them to check out on each and see if you can find a discount. People may price tickets a little higher since their seller’s fees may be higher on one side compared to the other, which could explain the price difference.
Selling Tickets
We believe that you can find a larger customer base on StubHub compared to SeatGeek when it comes to selling tickets. However, selling on SeatGeek typically incurs fees of around 10-12% to sell your tickets, while StubHub’s fees are closer to 12%-15%. These fees can vary based on your requirements and timing. There’s no guarantee that your tickets will sell on either platform, but the potential for reaching a wider audience might be worth the extra point or two in fees, especially if it increases the likelihood of a sale. All fee percentages are subject to change.
Sports Tickets
StubHub has partnered with dozens of teams across all sports, making them the official ticket supplier. If they have primary tickets, this is often the preferred choice as it bypasses sites like Ticketmaster and Live Nation. With many partners, including the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, MLB, and the Washington Nationals, you can be confident in the validity of the tickets. While SeatGeek also has numerous partners, they are still trailing behind StubHub in this area. However, SeatGeek is continuously gaining new partners, such as the Dallas Cowboys, Utah Jazz, New York Mets, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Georgia Bulldogs, and the New Orleans Saints.
Concert Tickets
Although SeatGeek may have a slight edge over StubHub in terms of concert tickets, we don’t believe it’s enough to always check SeatGeek first. They are adding more inventory each year, which is pushing them up the ranks. However, even Vivid Seats carries more concert inventory than SeatGeek. We think sellers prefer the StubHub and Vivid Seats platforms for selling. The technology on SeatGeek is still impressive. They could be within five years of reaching where StubHub is now if they continue to build their brand.
Reliability and Transparency
A question of reliability and transparency gets asked daily. Here is what we can say based on our experience. After working with both StubHub and SeatGeek for over nine years and being a customer for decades, it’s clear that both sites strive to earn your trust. They understand that without trust, customers will choose another provider the next time they buy tickets. As for transparency, this is an area where all ticket sites still face challenges. They make a substantial amount of money from ticket sales, and according to what I’ve heard, SeatGeek sells a ticket every half second. Operating such platforms is costly, hence the high costs, but the profit margins are also substantial. We believe that the first company to lower its fees and margins will gain a significant advantage. Introducing new features like including fees in the ticket prices is one step forward, but people seek more clarity about these fees and the reasons behind them. Once there is a significant shift with major players like Ticketmaster and Live Nation, we might see some changes in the secondary market as well.
Who Do We Like?
If we had to choose, we would go with StubHub. We like both platforms and feel you’ll be in good hands with either. However, based on our past ticket purchases, there’s something about StubHub that makes us prefer it. While SeatGeek does have better technology in some aspects, the larger inventory on StubHub outweighs this. The recent redesign of StubHub has also increased our preference for it. If StubHub can improve the mapping on their seating charts slightly, they will have an edge over SeatGeek.