When we travel, we don’t have the luxury of waiting for the next tour date. We need tickets, and we need them to be legitimate. This usually leads us to the two titans of the secondary market: Viagogo and StubHub. Both are large secondary ticket marketplaces where individuals and professional sellers can resell tickets for events they already own. At first glance, they’re similar, but once we started using them for event-focused trips, we noticed a few differences that can matter a lot when you’re traveling. In this Viagogo vs StubHub guide, we’re putting them head-to-head to see which one tends to work better for travelers!
What Are Viagogo and StubHub?
Before comparing them, it helps to understand how these platforms actually work. Both Viagogo and StubHub operate as secondary ticket marketplaces. That means the tickets sold there usually come from individual sellers rather than the venue, artist, or sports team itself. Sellers set their own prices, which means tickets may cost more or less than the original face value depending on demand.
From a traveler’s perspective, these platforms are extremely helpful. Many popular events sell out months in advance, and resale platforms can become the only realistic way to get tickets once you’ve already planned a trip.
One interesting thing many people don’t realize is that the two companies are closely connected. Viagogo acquired StubHub’s international business in 2020, which means they’re now part of the same overall group. However, the platforms still operate separately and feel quite different when you’re actually browsing for tickets.
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Global Coverage
When we’re traveling internationally, the biggest challenge is often finding tickets that are available in the country we’re visiting. This is where Viagogo often stands out. The platform operates in far more countries worldwide, and we’ve noticed that it often lists events across Europe, Asia, and smaller markets where other ticket sites don’t have much inventory. For instance, Viagogo provides more concert tickets in Singapore compared to StubHub.
StubHub is still strong, especially in the United States and major cities. It’s deeply integrated with American venues and leagues. But once you start looking for events in destinations like smaller European cities or regional festivals, Viagogo often shows more listings and better availability. While StubHub has tried to expand its international reach, Viagogo still feels like the native choice for the global traveler.
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Ticket Availability for Sold-Out Events
One of the biggest reasons we use resale marketplaces is simple: sold-out events. Huge festivals, championship games, and major concerts can sell out within minutes. If you’re planning a trip later, you’ll probably need to rely on the resale market.
In our experience, both Viagogo and StubHub are good at surfacing these tickets. However, as we stated earlier, Viagogo sometimes feels slightly stronger when it comes to international events and festivals. When we’ve searched for tickets to European music festivals or international sports matches, we often see more options on Viagogo. More listings mean more chances to find a seat that fits both your schedule and your budget.
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Pricing and Fees
Ticket pricing on resale marketplaces like Viagogo and StubHub can be unpredictable because sellers set the prices themselves. Sometimes, tickets cost close to face value. Other times, especially for high-demand events, prices can rise significantly.
In general, StubHub is known for having slightly lower service fees in many cases. That said, we’ve found that the final price can vary a lot depending on the listing, so it’s always worth comparing.
Our usual strategy when booking event tickets during a trip is simple:
- Check both platforms
- Compare several listings
- Look at the final checkout price rather than the initial listing
Even when fees are similar, ticket availability can vary, which may make one platform a better option if it offers more choices.
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Buyer Protection and Guarantees
Whenever you’re buying resale tickets, safety is naturally a concern. Thankfully, Viagogo and StubHub both offer buyer protection programs to reduce the risk:
Viagogo Guarantee
- Replacement tickets if there’s an issue
- Full refund if tickets never arrive or are invalid
StubHub FanProtect Guarantee
- Replacement tickets, if possible
- Refunds for canceled events or invalid tickets
Once you compare Viagogo vs StubHub, you’ll find that their protections make buying tickets far safer than from random sellers online. While issues can still occasionally happen, both companies provide systems designed to resolve them.
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Viagogo vs StubHub: Our Verdict
When comparing these two platforms, the truth is that both are reliable options for buying resale tickets. Each one has strengths depending on where you’re traveling and what event you’re trying to attend.
From a global traveler’s perspective, who often visit Asia and Europe, we often find ourselves leaning slightly toward Viagogo. Its broader global reach, wider event listings, and strong presence in international markets make it particularly useful when planning trips around concerts, festivals, and sporting events. If you’re traveling to the US or Canada, StubHub is worth considering. They have the best links with local stadiums and the most local users.
In the end, the best strategy is the one we usually follow ourselves: check both platforms, compare listings, and book the option that fits your plans best. When a trip includes the perfect event, the experience becomes something you’ll remember long after the journey ends.
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Is Viagogo 100% guaranteed?
Yes, with Viagogo’s guarantee, you’ll get replacement tickets or a full refund if there’s an issue with your order.
What happens if you are scammed on Viagogo?
If you’re scammed on Viagogo, the platform’s guarantee program allows you to request replacement tickets or a full refund if the tickets are invalid or never arrive. You’ll need to report the issue to customer support so they can investigate and process the compensation.
Why am I not getting my Viagogo tickets?
There are a few common reasons you might not have received your tickets from Viagogo yet, such as the seller scheduling delivery closer to the event date or the tickets still being transferred electronically. If the delivery deadline has passed, you should contact Viagogo support so they can arrange replacement tickets or a refund under their guarantee.
Some images on this article are copyrighted by Viagogo.
