StubHub, backed by Madron Partners, is aiming for a valuation of up to $9.2 billion in its upcoming U.S. initial public offering, the ticket resale platform announced Monday. The company plans to sell about 34 million shares at a price range of $22 to $25 each, seeking to raise as much as $851 million. The move marks StubHub’s return to public listing efforts after postponing its IPO in April due to uncertainty over U.S. trade tariffs.
The relaunch comes as buoyant equity markets and strong tech earnings drive a long-anticipated rebound in IPO activity this fall. Other high-profile listings include Swedish fintech Klarna and crypto exchange Gemini, co-founded by the Winklevoss twins, both of which are set to go public in New York this week. StubHub’s debut will test investor appetite for consumer-focused firms in a market dominated by technology-driven offerings.
The ticket resale industry has thrived as consumers increasingly prioritise live experiences and entertainment. In 2024 alone, StubHub facilitated the sale of more than 40 million tickets across 200 countries. Demand has been bolstered by blockbuster events such as Beyoncé’s record-setting “Cowboy Carter” tour, which helped boost revenues for rivals like Ticketmaster’s parent, Live Nation Entertainment.
Founded in 2000 by Jeff Fluhr and current CEO Eric Baker, StubHub has undergone several ownership shifts. eBay acquired the company in 2007 for $310 million, before selling it in 2020 to viagogo, another firm launched by Baker, in a $4.05 billion deal. Today, with backing from Madron Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners, StubHub is one of the world’s largest secondary ticketing marketplaces and plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “STUB.”