Overview
- Thousands of fans who bought tickets on secondary sites such as StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats reported transfers that never completed, leaving some unable to enter matches at venues like Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
- StubHub has publicly blamed FIFA’s new app and last‑minute transfer restrictions for the breakdown while FIFA says tickets purchased through its official resale channel are guaranteed.
- Industry experts and fan interviews show two main causes: technical glitches in the transfer process and speculative sellers listing tickets before they had them to sell.
- Relief for buyers has been inconsistent, with some getting refunds or store credit and others receiving replacement seats only after media attention, and StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee allows remedies at the company’s “sole discretion.”
- The failures have sharpened affordability complaints and regulatory scrutiny, because FIFA’s official resale charges a 30% surcharge on resales and several state attorneys general have opened inquiries.