StubHub is a popular online marketplace for buying and selling tickets to live events. As an event approaches, ticket prices on StubHub can fluctuate based on supply and demand. Many buyers wonder if waiting until closer to the event will result in cheaper StubHub prices.
The short answer is maybe. StubHub prices can go down as the event nears, but not always. Several factors impact StubHub pricing including the popularity of the event, available ticket inventory, and more.
Understanding how StubHub ticket prices are set can help buyers make informed decisions about the best time to purchase. This article will examine whether StubHub prices tend to decrease as the event date draws nearer.
How StubHub Ticket Prices Work
StubHub is a secondary ticket marketplace – it connects buyers and sellers rather than issuing tickets directly. Sellers on StubHub set their own ticket prices, which means pricing can vary widely for the same event.
StubHub allows sellers to set a minimum price they are willing to accept for their tickets. The initial list price may be higher, but if the ticket does not sell at that price point, the seller can elect to lower their minimum acceptable price which then lowers the StubHub list price.
Buyers pay the purchase price plus StubHub fees at checkout. StubHub fees include:
- A service fee – typically around 10-20% of the ticket price
- A delivery fee – for mailing tickets to the buyer
- The seller’s chosen shipping method fee
When Do StubHub Prices Tend to be Highest?
In general, StubHub ticket prices tend to start high and come down gradually as the event date approaches.
Here are some key times when StubHub prices are usually at their peak:
Right After the On-Sale Date
This is when there is the most demand on StubHub since tickets were just released through the primary seller. Fans who couldn’t get tickets directly right away tend to panic and are willing to pay more. Sellers take advantage of this high demand.
During the Holidays or Just Before
Gifted tickets purchased on StubHub for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays and other holidays drive up demand and pricing. Sellers increase prices around the holidays knowing tickets make popular last-minute gifts.
Series Clincher Games
For elimination games in a playoff series or tournament, ticket prices shoot up if the home team can clinch the series on that date. Fans want to be there for the big celebratory game.
Rivalry Games
Tickets for games against a team’s biggest rival almost always command higher prices on StubHub. Fans turn out no matter what for a chance to see their team beat their nemesis.
Marquee Opponents
Seeing a massively popular team or player live drives up ticket demand and pricing. For example, Lebron James and the Lakers or the New York Yankees coming to town leads to StubHub price surges.
Special Games
One-off games like the Super Bowl, NCAA March Madness, or a World Cup qualifier see substantial StubHub price increases. Sellers know demand is exceptionally high for these types of can’t miss events.
When Do Prices Tend to Drop?
While prices start high, as the event draws nearer, ticket prices on StubHub tend to soften and can decrease. Sellers lower prices attempting to attract buyers before tickets become worthless after the event.
Here are some cases where StubHub prices are more likely to go down as game day approaches:
Less Popular Opponents
When a team draws a weaker or less popular opponent, especially for a weekday game, demand softens leading to decreasing StubHub prices. Sellers have trouble getting face value for these tickets.
Bad Weather Forecast
Snow, rain, extreme cold or heat can deter fans from wanting to attend a game. If the weather outlook is unfavorable, StubHub prices creep down as sellers lower prices to attract any willing buyers.
Losing Team Record
When a team starts losing, fan enthusiasm and ticket sales wane. Lackluster demand leads to declining StubHub ticket prices as the date approaches. Season ticket holders have trouble finding buyers.
Oversupply of Tickets
Sometimes teams or venues overestimate demand and put too many tickets directly on sale. This floods the secondary market leading to plummeting StubHub prices as supply exceeds demand.
Last Minute Tickets
Sellers deeply discount tickets in the last few hours before an event, preferring to get any money rather than letting tickets go unsold and unused. Last minute deals can often be found.
How Much Do Prices Decline?
There are no set rules on how much StubHub prices will decrease leading up to an event. The amount of decline depends on many factors like those mentioned above.
As a general guideline, expect a 10-20% drop or more from the highest prices seen closer to the on-sale dates. For very high demand events like playoffs and championships, prices may remain steady or only see minor decreases.
For lower demand events like regular season games or early round playoffs, prices could potentially decrease 40%, 60% or even more as game day nears. Although for the most in-demand opponents or games, even a 20-30% drop from peak prices may be wishful thinking.
Example StubHub Price Changes
Here are some real examples of StubHub price declines for MLB games:
Team | Opponent | Days Before Game | Lowest StubHub Price |
---|---|---|---|
San Francisco Giants | Chicago Cubs (rivalry game) | 70 days | $62 |
17 days | $48 (23% drop) | ||
Houston Astros | Baltimore Orioles (losing record) | 68 days | $55 |
5 days | $22 (60% drop) |
These examples illustrate how prices for high demand rivalry and playoff tickets decrease marginally while prices plummet for low interest regular season games as game day nears.
Does Waiting for Lower Prices Make Sense?
Trying to time the market and buy at the lowest StubHub price is difficult. Prices can fluctuate up and down leading up to the event for many reasons.
For hot events, prices are unlikely to drop significantly, so buying early provides the most ticket selection and certainty. But for lower demand events, deep discounts are possible closer to game day.
Savvy buyers weigh the risks and potential rewards of procrastinating their StubHub purchase. Here are some tips for getting the best deal:
- Buy early for super high demand games – prices won’t drop much
- Wait for weaker opponents and low attendance games – big price drops are likely
- Set pricing alerts to notify you if prices hit desired levels
- Check prices one to two weeks out and again two days before
- Buying just hours before risks tickets selling out but maximize savings
StubHub pricing is anything but predictable, so check prices regularly as game day approaches. While not guaranteed, patient buyers can sometimes be rewarded with significant savings for lower demand events.
Conclusion
StubHub ticket prices typically start high after tickets initially go on sale to the public. As the event date nears, prices may decline – but not always. High demand events like playoffs and rivalries see minimal price drops. Lower interest games often see steep declines as sellers scramble to unload tickets. Savvy StubHub buyers weigh their desire for savings vs their fear of missing out to determine the best time to purchase. Monitoring prices and pouncing when tickets hit a desired comfort level often pays off for buyers able to wait out the market.