Viagogo Sued Over Hidden Fees: Are You Paying More for Tickets?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Viagogo deceives consumers by displaying low ticket prices upfront, then adding expensive hidden fees at the final stage of purchase, violating consumer protection laws.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased tickets on Viagogo and were charged undisclosed hidden fees.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Ever bought concert tickets online only to get hit with surprise fees at the last second? Three frustrated consumers say that's exactly what happened to them on Viagogo, and now they're suing the ticket reseller over it.

Robert Berlinger, Danny Collins, and David Stockton filed a class action lawsuit claiming Viagogo deliberately shows cheap ticket prices upfront, then springs expensive hidden fees on buyers right before they complete their purchase.

The trio says this bait-and-switch tactic has helped Viagogo rake in millions of dollars from unsuspecting fans who just wanted to see their favorite artists or teams.

Viagogo Accused of Deceptive "Bait-and-Switch" Scam

According to the lawsuit, here's what happens when you try to buy tickets on Viagogo: You see an attractive low price for the show you want to attend. You click through multiple screens, entering your payment info and personal details. Then, right at the end, the site reveals the real total, which can be much higher than what you expected.

"Only at checkout, after this lengthy experience, does Viagogo for the first time list a total amount that includes hidden fees in unpredictable amounts," the lawsuit states.

By that point, you've already invested time and energy in the purchase. Many people just go ahead and pay rather than start over somewhere else, even though they feel tricked.

The plaintiffs say these extra charges aren't small amounts either. They can add up to significant money that buyers never saw coming.

Millions Allegedly Made from Undisclosed Charges

The lawsuit alleges Viagogo has made millions from this pricing scheme. Instead of being honest about costs upfront, the company supposedly counts on people feeling too committed to back out once they reach the final screen.

Think about it—you've already picked your seats, entered all your information, and gotten excited about the event. When unexpected fees pop up at the last minute, it's easier to just pay than restart the whole process.

The plaintiffs argue this gives Viagogo an unfair advantage over honest ticket sellers who show you the full price from the beginning.

These hidden fees apparently vary in amount, so customers have no way to budget properly when they start shopping.

Consumers Claim Pricing Practices Violate State Laws

The three plaintiffs claim Viagogo's tactics violate consumer protection laws in multiple states where the company does business.

California has several laws that protect shoppers from deceptive pricing. The Unfair Competition Law bars businesses from using misleading practices that can harm consumers. The False Advertising Law targets companies that make deceptive claims about their products or prices.

The lawsuit mentions violations in Colorado and New Jersey too, where similar laws protect consumers from fraudulent business practices. Each state has different ways to punish companies and compensate victims when these laws get broken.

Ticket Sellers Face Growing Backlash Over Hidden Fees

Viagogo isn't the only company getting sued over surprise fees. This seems to be happening everywhere these days.

Supplement company Olly got hit with a lawsuit for adding sneaky "Order Protection" fees during checkout, even though they advertised free shipping. The NY Renaissance Faire is facing similar accusations about hiding ticketing charges until the very end of online purchases.

Other ticket sellers like SeatGeek and See Tickets have dealt with lawsuits over pricing practices that allegedly mislead customers. Even Fiverr, the freelancing website, is getting sued under California's new law that specifically bans this kind of last-minute fee trickery.

In the Viagogo hidden fees class action lawsuit, Berlinger, Collins, and Stockton want to represent everyone across the country who bought Viagogo tickets and got stuck with hidden fees. First, they want money back for people who paid more than the advertised price because of these hidden fees. They also want the court to order Viagogo to stop using these allegedly deceptive pricing practices.

The lawsuit asks for both regular damages to cover people's losses and punitive damages to punish the company and discourage others from doing the same thing.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Robert Berlinger, et al. v. Viagogo Inc.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-04380
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Katherine M. Aizpuru and Robin P. Bleiweis (Tycko & Zavareei LLP)

Have you encountered hidden fees when buying tickets on Viagogo? Share your experience below.