B.C. launches an investigation into StubHub after thousands of FIFA World Cup ticket cancellations left fans frustrated across North America.
What should have been a dream trip to the FIFA World Cup turned into a nightmare for thousands of fans. Now, the British Columbia government is stepping in after widespread complaints about cancelled StubHub tickets left supporters without seats on match day.
The province has launched an investigation into the online ticket resale company following reports that many buyers never received the World Cup tickets they paid for.
Province Responds to Growing Complaints
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced that the province is reviewing complaints linked to StubHub’s handling of FIFA World Cup tickets.
The decision follows reports that thousands of tickets for matches in Vancouver, Toronto and other North American host cities were cancelled, leaving many fans disappointed.
Sharma said the situation raises serious concerns for consumers.
“Major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 should bring excitement,” she said. “People should feel confident that the tickets they buy will be honoured.”
Although Sharma did not discuss the details of the investigation, she confirmed that Consumer Protection B.C. is examining the complaints to determine whether the province’s Ticket Sales Act has been breached.
She also reminded affected customers that they may have options if they suffered financial losses.
Fans Left Waiting Until Game Day
Several supporters say they spent months waiting for their tickets, only to learn they had been cancelled shortly before kickoff.
Some fans reported receiving repeated assurances from StubHub that their tickets would arrive. However, many reached the stadium without valid tickets.
As a result, families, travellers and football supporters missed matches they had planned for months.
StubHub Points to FIFA’s Ticketing System
StubHub has blamed FIFA’s ticketing technology for delays and delivery problems.
However, ticketing experts believe another issue may be behind many of the cancellations.
According to industry professionals, some sellers list tickets they do not actually own. This practice, often called speculative ticketing, allows sellers to secure buyers before obtaining the tickets themselves.
If they fail to get the tickets or choose to sell them elsewhere for a higher price, buyers can end up empty-handed.
Experts Raise Concerns About Speculative Ticket Sales
Scott Friedman, a ticketing industry veteran and host of the Ticket Talk Network podcast, says speculative ticketing has been a long-standing concern on resale platforms.
He explained that some sellers advertise tickets before they have possession of them. Consequently, buyers face uncertainty even after completing their purchase.
Several U.S. states have already banned speculative ticket sales because of the risks they pose to consumers. Similar problems have also affected major concert tours in recent years.
Vancouver Fan Shares Frustrating Experience
Vancouver resident Kirat Malik says she bought World Cup tickets through StubHub more than six months before Canada’s match against Qatar.
Later, she learned the tickets had been cancelled. Therefore, she purchased replacement tickets directly from FIFA so she could still attend the game.
Malik says she spent more than 10 hours speaking with StubHub representatives while trying to resolve the issue. Even so, she was still waiting for a refund.
She believes the investigation is an important step toward protecting fans.
“StubHub took my money, wasted my time and still hasn’t refunded us,” she said. “They also took away what should have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Pressure Builds for Wider Action
While British Columbia investigates the complaints, attention is also turning to Ontario, where many fans travelling to Toronto matches have reported similar last-minute ticket cancellations.
Consumer advocates hope the investigations will determine whether ticket resale rules need stronger enforcement before future major sporting events.
For thousands of supporters, the focus has shifted from celebrating the world’s biggest football tournament to seeking answers—and, in many cases, refunds.
