United States of America: Federal Trade Commission issued warning letter to StubHub over alleged violation of the Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees

On 14 May 2025, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning letter to StubHub Holdings Inc. for potentially violating the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, which entered into force on 12 May 2025. The Rule requires online ticketing platforms to clearly and prominently disclose the total price of live-event tickets at the first point of consumer interaction, including all mandatory fees such as service and fulfilment charges. The FTC identified instances where StubHub’s price displays appeared to exclude such fees, which may constitute a deceptive practice under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The FTC warned that each instance of non-compliance may result in a civil penalty of up to USD 53’088. StubHub was instructed to preserve all relevant documentation and to contact the FTC by 16 May 2025 to confirm compliance.