Tickets vanish at the last minute
Fans who paid thousands of dollars for World Cup tickets on StubHub received sudden cancellation notices days — and in some cases hours — before their matches. The company cited 'issues with delivery from sellers' within FIFA's ticketing system, but offered no comparable replacement inventory for sold-out games.
Thousands affected across host cities
Reports of canceled tickets have surfaced across all three host nations — the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — with Vancouver and Los Angeles among the hardest-hit. Some fans flew internationally only to discover their seats no longer existed. Bars in Vancouver reported 40% gains as disappointed ticket-holders opted to watch in public venues instead.
StubHub blames FIFA, FIFA pushes back
StubHub says the problem stems from FIFA's digital ticketing infrastructure, including its official app, which the vendor claims has compatibility issues with resale platforms. FIFA has urged fans to buy only through its official channels. Consumer protection agencies in multiple states have opened inquiries into the mass cancellations.