^{Photo: TheWrap}

StubHub Resumes IPO Plans After Tariff-Induced Pause

StubHub, the well-established online ticket marketplace spun off from eBay in 2020, is gearing up to go public this September after shelving its initial IPO plans in April amid market turbulence caused by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

The company filed an updated IPO prospectus on Monday, officially restarting the process. Sources familiar with StubHub’s strategy reveal that the company intends to launch its IPO roadshow shortly after Labor Day, around September 1, with a public debut slated for later in the month.

Financial Snapshot and Growth Trajectory

StubHub reported $397.6 million in revenue during the first quarter, marking a 10% increase year-over-year. Operating income also improved significantly, hitting $26.8 million compared to a slight loss of $883,000 in the same period last year. However, net losses widened to $35.9 million, up from $29.7 million a year prior, reflecting continued investments and competitive pressures.

The company’s gross merchandise sales (GMS), representing the total ticket and fulfillment value paid by buyers, reached $2.08 billion in Q1 — a 15% rise from the previous year but a slowdown from the 47% growth seen the quarter before. StubHub explained that sales typically ramp up later in the year as major concert tours kick off their ticket sales cycles.

Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape

StubHub faces stiff competition in the evolving online ticketing sector, competing with giants like Ticketmaster (owned by Live Nation) as well as secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and TicketNetwork. The sector remains dynamic, driven by concert tours, sports events, and evolving consumer behavior.

IPO Market Revival and Strategic Positioning

The broader IPO market has seen a resurgence recently after months of volatility driven by inflation and rising interest rates. Notable tech and crypto startups—including Firefly Aerospace, Figma, Circle, and CoreWeave—have gone public or filed to do so, signaling renewed investor appetite for high-growth companies.

StubHub initially sought a valuation of approximately $16.5 billion before pausing its IPO process earlier this year. The company has yet to release an official share pricing range in its latest filing.

Historical Context and Ownership

Founded in 2000, StubHub has been a major player in the ticket resale space for over two decades. eBay acquired the company in 2007 for $310 million before co-founder Eric Baker reacquired it in 2020 for $4 billion via his firm Viagogo, marking a significant valuation increase over the years.

‍