Philadelphia Union announce an official partnership with StubHub

The Philadelphia Union have agreed with a partnership with StubHub, the world's largest ticket marketplace. The deal will see StubHub become the official secondary ticket provider to fans after the Union's website. This will make it easier for fans to buy, sell and transfer tickets while also allowing them to use things like Apple Wallet to scan tickets at the gate. The Union will join other MLS teams - most notably the Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy - as teams who are partnered with StubHub.

"The Philadelphia Union is delighted to partner with such a globally recognized brand in the ticketing industry," Union Vice President of Corporate Partners and Premium Seating Drew Young said. "We’re specifically excited for the opportunity StubHub will present to our Season Ticket Members, who benefit from utilizing a much easier process of transferring and re-selling tickets when required to do so."

The exact monetary terms of this deal haven't been disclosed due to club policy, but we can assume that this plus the renaming of the stadium to Talen Energy Stadium have lined the clubs pockets nicely. StubHub will receive in stadium signage and will also offer fans in-game upgrade promotions. This will be taking effect at the beginning of the 2016 season.

"StubHub is thrilled to add the Union to its roster of Major League Soccer partners and to work with the soccer community in Philadelphia," said StubHub Head of Partnerships and Business Development Geoff Lester. "As the world’s leading live event marketplace, we look forward to providing Union fans with a complete, end-to-end ticketing experience that is not only seamless, but trusted."

This news isn't all good though. This deal may increase the possibility of so-called "StubHubbers" - people who use StubHub and other third-party ticket brokers to circumvent checks to see if the purchaser is a Sons of Ben member, as tickets in most portions of the River End are for Sons of Ben members only. Tickets for the Sons of Ben sections are sold cheaper online, thus making them more desirable for resale - even to those who are not part of the Sons of Ben. "StubHubbers" are blamed for (and are often guilty of) issues that arise in the River End, and there's a worry that this could cause a rise in these incidents. While "StubHubbers" are good overall because it gives new fans a chance to integrate into the atmosphere, it's something worth keeping a lookout for.