Question about stubhub for broadway tickets

I noticed that too, the other day. I don't have an answer.

I think there are automated systems that post tickets found on other sites with marked-up prices on StubHub. So if you buy that ticket, they just go and buy it elsewhere for less, and then upload it to StubHub for delivery. Not sure if StubHub is doing that, or some enterprising techgeek.

Not all StubHub listings require you to have the ticket in advance.

And before 3pm the hoards of tickets listed have the non-electronic ticket designation of “pick-up” so I think the producers of the show are now setting aside a % of tickets to sell on Stubhub at triple and quadruple the price. When they don’t sell by 3pm they are removed and probably made available to TKTS.

I've noticed this for the past few years. I've never had an issue with any ticket I've bought from stubhub so I believe those tickets are real and genuine (not phantom.) Those also tend to be really good center orch seats too.

It's probably a mix of people who have tickets and willing to see the show but do not mind reselling them at skyhigh 3-5x the face value price. If they sell, then that's great! If not, then they'll still see the show.

Without transparency to the public, we won't ever really know.

a few responses got it correct. heres the answer:

almost every show, the producer (or whomever). sets aside some of the prime center orchestra seats and posts on Stubhub, often for 2-4x list price of ticket. then within a week of the show...sometimes same day. sometimes 3 days before, etc..it can vary. tickets are pulled off Stubhub and will hit the ticketmaster or telecharge map at usually the premium price of the ticket. this is a way for the show to juice up ticket sales without having to list on the map at $750 ticket...which, i am sure you know will upset many theatergoers. The show keeps this information on the DL. I do not know for sure but I assume they have a contract (deal) with stubhub much like some NFL teams too. This way of selling tickets is extremely lucrative for the theaters. hope this explanation helps!

TheCooler said: "a few responses got it correct. heres the answer:

almost every show, the producer (or whomever). sets aside some of the prime center orchestra seats and posts on Stubhub, often for 2-4x list price of ticket. then within a week of the show...sometimes same day. sometimes 3 days before, etc..it can vary. tickets are pulled off Stubhub and will hit the ticketmaster or telecharge map at usually the premium price of the ticket. this is a way for the show to juice up ticket sales without having to list on the map at $750 ticket...which, i am sure you know will upset many theatergoers. The show keeps this information on the DL. I do not know for sure but I assume they have a contract (deal) with stubhub much like some NFL teams too. This way of selling tickets is extremely lucrative for the theaters. hope this explanation helps!"

This sounds quite plausible, but may I ask what your source is?

Lot666 said: "TheCooler said: "a few responses got it correct. heres the answer:

almost every show, the producer (or whomever). sets aside some of the prime center orchestra seats and posts on Stubhub, often for 2-4x list price of ticket. then within a week of the show...sometimes same day. sometimes 3 days before, etc..it can vary. tickets are pulled off Stubhub and will hit the ticketmaster or telecharge map at usually the premium price of the ticket. this is a way for the show to juice up ticket sales without having to list on the map at $750 ticket...which, i am sure you know will upset many theatergoers. The show keeps this information on the DL. I do not know for sure but I assume they have a contract (deal) with stubhub much like some NFL teams too. This way of selling tickets is extremely lucrative for the theaters. hope this explanation helps!"

This sounds quite plausible, but may I ask what your source is?"

my own research. no inside source. this is not something they will admit to or advertise.

I'm not surprised at all with what you said, TheCooler. In another thread on Boys in the Band, someone noticed the same thing happening with lots of tickets on stubhub but I mentioned that they'll most likely disappear a few days before. I had a hunch that the box office and stubhub probably has some sort of deal and they work together to some degree. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that.

I do know some house or comp tickets end up on stubhub somehow. A month ago I bought a $30 Rocktopia ticket fifteen minutes before the show started. I thought I got a great deal since it was in center orchestra row J but when I got the ticket, the face value was $0.00 since it was a comp and whoever originally received it opted to put it on stubhub. Regardless, it was a genuine real ticket and at the end of the day, that's what mattered. Oh and I loved the show and was definitely entertained!

comets said: "The cheapest ticket for Friday's Three Tall Women is now $750, you cannot help believe that is' so fake."

How does a high price make it fake? It may not sell, but if anyone buys it, they will get in the show.

Broadway Joe said: "The other thing is some people just list their tickets for sale for a ridiculous price and if it sells then they won't go."

I've missed many a show that way. Once I didn't have time to research what tickets were going to for a show, so I just listed it for an outrageous price and figured I'll bring it down later once I investigate. Returned home a few hours later, and it sold already. It ended up being one of the best seats available for that event, so even though it was more expensive, that primo location made all the difference for them, I guess.

TheCooler said: "a few responses got it correct. heres the answer:

almost every show, the producer (or whomever). sets aside some of the prime center orchestra seats and posts on Stubhub, often for 2-4x list price of ticket. then within a week of the show...sometimes same day. sometimes 3 days before, etc..it can vary. tickets are pulled off Stubhub and will hit the ticketmaster or telecharge map at usually the premium price of the ticket. this is a way for the show to juice up ticket sales without having to list on the map at $750 ticket...which, i am sure you know will upset many theatergoers. The show keeps this information on the DL. I do not know for sure but I assume they have a contract (deal) with stubhub much like some NFL teams too. This way of selling tickets is extremely lucrative for the theaters. hope this explanation helps!"

Seems possible to me. I've been checking Come From Away tickets and everyday, there's a listing for Center Orchestra row K and G seats (no actual seat numbers). Same mode of ticket delivery (pickup/UPS), same price everyday (add $100 for weekend shows). And everyday, it disappears when I check again later in the afternoon. I've always thought it must be directly from the show since it's unlikely someone bought the same set of seats for every single performance.

Updated On: 5/3/18 at 02:52 PM

TheCooler said: "yes. the theaters do claim they do not like the secondary markets. that is what makes this all the more interesting...at least to me."

But if the theater is the one selling them... is it still the secondary market?!