When it comes to purchasing or reselling NFL tickets, two major platforms stand out: NFL Ticket Exchange (the official resale marketplace powered by Ticketmaster) and StubHub, one of the most popular ticket resale platforms worldwide. Both services offer fans the ability to secure seats for games, sell unwanted tickets, and access events across the league. However, they differ in structure, fees, guarantees, and user experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the comparison between NFL Ticket Exchange and StubHub, covering everything from how they work, their benefits, drawbacks, and the right situations for choosing one over the other.
Understanding the Basics of NFL Ticket Exchange and StubHub
What is NFL Ticket Exchange?
The NFL Ticket Exchange is the official ticket resale marketplace for the National Football League. Powered by Ticketmaster, it’s directly integrated into the NFL and its teams’ official ticketing system.
Key features include:
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Verified tickets directly from NFL or season ticket holders.
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Mobile ticketing integration for easy scanning at the stadium.
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A secure and guaranteed purchase process backed by Ticketmaster’s platform.
Because it’s the official marketplace, fans often see this as the most trustworthy way to buy tickets without worrying about scams.
What is StubHub?
StubHub is one of the largest independent ticket marketplaces in the world. Owned by Viagogo, StubHub allows fans to buy and sell tickets for virtually any event, including NFL games, concerts, theater shows, and other sports.
Key features include:
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A massive selection of tickets from different sellers.
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FanProtect Guarantee that ensures valid tickets or your money back.
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Interactive seating maps and sometimes lower prices due to market competition.
Unlike NFL Ticket Exchange, StubHub isn’t officially partnered with the NFL, but it remains one of the most widely used resale platforms.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: How They Work
Buying Tickets on NFL Ticket Exchange
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Fans visit the NFL’s official website or Ticketmaster.
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Choose the game and seats from verified listings.
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Complete the purchase and access mobile tickets through Ticketmaster’s app.
Since all tickets are verified, there’s virtually no risk of fake tickets.
Buying Tickets on StubHub
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Fans visit StubHub’s website or app.
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Browse available tickets listed by sellers worldwide.
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Make a purchase and receive tickets electronically (mobile transfer, PDF, or sometimes physical delivery).
StubHub’s advantage is variety, but it relies on sellers to deliver tickets correctly.
Selling Tickets on NFL Ticket Exchange
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Season ticket holders or fans list tickets directly through Ticketmaster.
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Buyers purchase tickets, and once sold, the funds are deposited into the seller’s account after the event.
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Tickets are automatically transferred to buyers.
Selling Tickets on StubHub
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Sellers create listings with seat details and set their own prices.
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Once tickets are sold, StubHub provides instructions for transferring them.
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Sellers get paid after the event, typically via PayPal or direct deposit.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Fees and Pricing
Buyer Fees
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NFL Ticket Exchange: Buyers pay a service fee on top of the ticket price, which can range between 15–25%.
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StubHub: Buyer fees are usually between 20–30%, but StubHub often shows "all-in" pricing, which can make costs more transparent.
Seller Fees
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NFL Ticket Exchange: Sellers pay a fee, usually around 15% of the ticket price.
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StubHub: Seller fees are about 10–15%, depending on the agreement.
Price Flexibility
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NFL Ticket Exchange: Sellers have less pricing flexibility, and prices often reflect face value or a slight markup.
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StubHub: Sellers can set their own prices, sometimes leading to cheaper deals but also huge markups for high-demand games.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Security and Guarantees
NFL Ticket Exchange Security
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Since it’s run by Ticketmaster, all tickets are verified and guaranteed valid.
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Mobile ticket delivery reduces fraud risk.
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If an issue occurs, Ticketmaster provides replacement tickets or a refund.
StubHub Security
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StubHub offers the FanProtect Guarantee: tickets are guaranteed to be valid, and if something goes wrong, StubHub will replace them or refund the buyer.
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However, since it’s not the official NFL platform, occasional delays in ticket delivery can happen.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Availability of Tickets
NFL Ticket Exchange
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Tickets mostly come from season ticket holders.
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Inventory may be more limited compared to StubHub.
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Prices are often closer to face value, but high-demand games can still be expensive.
StubHub
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Huge variety of tickets from fans, brokers, and resellers.
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More seating options available, including premium and last-minute tickets.
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More likely to find deals if sellers drop prices closer to game time.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: User Experience
NFL Ticket Exchange User Experience
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Integrated with NFL and Ticketmaster apps for seamless mobile use.
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Easy transfer system for season ticket holders.
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Limited to NFL games only (can’t buy concert tickets or other sports).
StubHub User Experience
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Intuitive website and mobile app.
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Offers tickets for a wide range of events beyond NFL.
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Interactive seat maps and transparent pricing options.
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Occasional delivery issues with late ticket availability.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Pros and Cons
NFL Ticket Exchange Pros
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Official NFL partnership, making it the most secure option.
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Verified tickets directly from Ticketmaster.
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Easy integration with mobile ticketing.
NFL Ticket Exchange Cons
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Higher fees compared to StubHub in some cases.
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Limited inventory and less pricing flexibility.
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Only works for NFL games.
StubHub Pros
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Wide range of ticket options with flexible pricing.
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FanProtect Guarantee ensures valid tickets.
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Great for last-minute purchases.
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Available for all types of events.
StubHub Cons
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Fees can be high for both buyers and sellers.
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Occasional delays in ticket delivery.
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Not directly affiliated with the NFL.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Which is Better for Buyers?
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If you value security and guaranteed authenticity, NFL Ticket Exchange is the safer choice.
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If you want more options and potentially cheaper last-minute deals, StubHub is often better.
For high-demand games like the Super Bowl or playoffs, NFL Ticket Exchange usually provides the most reliable path to valid tickets. For regular season games where sellers are competing to offload tickets, StubHub may offer bargains.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Which is Better for Sellers?
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If you’re a season ticket holder, listing on NFL Ticket Exchange can be more seamless since it integrates directly with Ticketmaster.
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If you’re a casual seller or want more flexibility in setting prices, StubHub provides broader reach and potentially higher profits.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Mobile Experience
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NFL Ticket Exchange: Works directly with the Ticketmaster app and NFL apps. Tickets are stored digitally and scanned at the gate.
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StubHub: Offers electronic ticket delivery but sometimes requires transfers through a third-party platform (like Ticketmaster or AXS). This adds an extra step for buyers and sellers.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Customer Support
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NFL Ticket Exchange: Customer service is handled through Ticketmaster. Support can be slow during peak times but is generally reliable.
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StubHub: Customer support is accessible through chat, phone, and email, though response times vary. Their refund guarantee makes them trustworthy in problem situations.
Real-World Example: Buying Tickets for a Dallas Cowboys Game
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On NFL Ticket Exchange, a mid-tier seat may list at $250 plus a 20% service fee, bringing the total to $300.
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On StubHub, a similar seat may list at $230 with a 25% service fee, bringing the total to about $288.
Sometimes StubHub is slightly cheaper, but sometimes NFL Ticket Exchange is more straightforward.
NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub: Super Bowl Tickets
When it comes to the Super Bowl, NFL Ticket Exchange often dominates because of its official status. Tickets listed there are guaranteed, while StubHub also sells them but typically at inflated prices and with more reliance on third-party sellers.
For peace of mind, many fans choose NFL Ticket Exchange for major playoff and Super Bowl games.
Future of Ticket Resale: NFL Ticket Exchange vs StubHub
With the increasing move toward digital ticketing and fraud prevention, the NFL Ticket Exchange has an edge in long-term trustworthiness. However, StubHub’s global presence and massive marketplace ensure it will remain a favorite for fans seeking more options.
Some fans even use both:
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Check NFL Ticket Exchange first for reliability.
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Then check StubHub for deals and variety.
Final Verdict: NFL Ticket Exchange or StubHub?
Both platforms have their advantages, and the best choice depends on your priorities: Stubhub vs nfl ticket exchange
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Choose NFL Ticket Exchange if:
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You want the most secure, verified tickets.
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You’re buying tickets for a high-demand game.
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You’re a season ticket holder looking to resell.
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Choose StubHub if:
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You want more ticket options and flexible prices.
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You’re looking for last-minute deals.
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You also want to buy tickets for concerts, theater, or other sports.
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In short:
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NFL Ticket Exchange = Reliability & Official Verification
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StubHub = Variety & Potential Bargains
Both serve different purposes, and savvy fans often compare listings on both before making a purchase.