StubHub Spends Millions Opposing California Ticket Resale Cap

Ticket secondary market operator StubHub has launched an extensive lobbying campaign in California to defeat proposed state legislation that threatens its core business model, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. The company is deploying millions of dollars this quarter to block the bill, which seeks to place strict legal limits on ticket resale prices.

If enacted, the proposed law would restrict ticket markups on secondary resale platforms to no more than 10 percent above the original face value. The measure aims to curb steep price surges on tickets for popular live music and entertainment events, an issue that has consistently generated consumer backlash.

To counter the legislative push, StubHub's spending during the current quarter has eclipsed the lobbying expenditures of several major corporate giants. Reports indicate the platform has deployed more capital on California lobbying efforts than prominent corporations such as Chevron, Verizon, AT&T, and artificial intelligence developer OpenAI.

The aggressive effort highlights the significant financial stakes for the secondary ticketing industry. Imposing a 10 percent ceiling on resale markups would severely restrict profit margins for ticket brokers and secondary sales platforms that rely on uncapped, market-driven pricing models.