The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has initiated an investigation into StubHub following a surge of complaints from consumers regarding canceled or undelivered tickets for the FIFA World Cup. The inquiry stems from allegations of “ghost ticketing,” a practice where sellers list tickets they do not actually possess. StubHub has attributed many of these cancellations to issues with FIFA’s ticket transfer system.
Reports indicate that fans from across the country, particularly from Texas cities hosting World Cup matches—Dallas and Houston—have faced ticket cancellations occurring mere hours or days before the games. The Attorney General’s office has received numerous complaints suggesting that the situation may be indicative of a larger trend of sellers failing to fulfill their ticket promises.
In response to the unfolding situation, Paxton’s office is urging Texans who purchased tickets through StubHub but either did not receive them or received tickets that differed from their original purchase to file complaints with the state’s Consumer Protection Division. “My office is investigating reports that StubHub is failing to deliver tickets that Texas fans have rightfully purchased,” Paxton stated. He emphasized the significance of attending a World Cup match as a rare opportunity, committing to use all available resources to ensure accountability and assist those affected.
The investigation is particularly timely as Texas prepares to host several matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Dallas and Houston as key venues, the stakes for both fans and StubHub are high. Consumers can access the online complaint form through the Texas Attorney General’s website to report their experiences.
