StubHub Puts IPO Back on the Calendar for September

StubHub is again preparing to go public with an initial public offering (IPO) scheduled for September 2025 following a series of abandoned attempts in 2021.

The revival comes after plans were paused in April 2025 due to volatile market conditions caused by new U.S. tariffs. The company says it now expects to launch its IPO after the U.S. Labor Day holiday on September 1 and to make its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) debut later in the month.

A look at StubHub’s latest financials provides mixed signals for investors. According to its amended SEC filing for the quarter ending March 31, 2025, StubHub reported $397.6 million in revenue—a 10% year-over-year increase—while its net loss widened to $35.9 million from $29.7 million over the same period last year.

Gross merchandise sales (the total value of tickets sold) soared to $2.08 billion, up 15% from the previous year. StubHub has stated that it supports buyers and sellers in over 200 countries, completing over 40 million ticket sales through its platform in 2024. The company aims to raise close to $1 billion with the IPO and sought a valuation of $16.5 billion in earlier filings, although it has not disclosed a pricing range in its latest prospectus.

However, the company’s financial performance is overshadowed by severe reputational challenges among long-time users. StubHub’s brand perception is extremely poor, holding an ‘F’ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Meanwhile, consumer forums are rife with complaints about ticket mishaps, lack of support, and alleged unfair practices.

For example, Reddit’s r/StubHub community is filled with users recounting failed transactions, double-sold tickets, and poor customer support experiences. Discussions there reveal widespread frustration, with some users actively seeking legal recourse.

“While at the theater, I met three other individuals who had also been cheated by StubHub,” reads one redditor’s report. “I plan to reach out to StubHub executives, consumer protection agencies, and influencers to bring attention to this issue. Buyers beware—StubHub is failing its customers.”

Another report highlights people attending a Hollywood Bowl performance, only to find the tickets were double-sold and someone else was already in their seats. Users point out that StubHub’s current Terms and Conditions highlight that the Fan Protect Guarantee is more of a platitude than an actual guarantee.

“My experience with StubHub has been nothing short of dreadful—truly the worst I’ve encountered with any company,” reads another. “On July 28, 2025 I bought a ticket for The Weeknd concert in Toronto, only to find out that it was fraudulent. I quickly reached out to support, I ended up without a ticket and missed the concert. The same evening, I spent five hours on the phone with their managers trying to resolve this awful situation.”

StubHub is positioning itself as a leader in global ticketing with a robust revenue engine. Yet, customer sentiment remains a persistent headwind that could potentially shadow its IPO debut in September.