Stubhub Confirms First Premier League Deal
Sunderland AFC has been announced as the first Premier League team to secure a deal with secondary ticketing company StubHub in time for the start of the upcoming 2012/13 football season.
StubHub, which entered the UK market in March, will now become the Black Cats’ official secondary ticketing partner.
The online fan-to-fan ticket exchange claims to sell one ticket every second in the US, and will now enable Sunderland season ticket holders to sell their seat for any game they are unable to attend, direct to fellow fans, at a price that they themselves dictate.
Supporters of the north-east club, which finished 13th last season, will be able to list tickets online at stubhub.co.uk, on the company’s mobile site and through mobile apps, with the sale of tickets to the Tyne-Wear derby – Sunderland’s clash with local rivals Newcastle – restricted for security reasons.
StubHub will offer fans the chance to win seat upgrades for certain matches and a number of what the company calls ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences.
Media reports also suggested last week that a similar deal has been signed with Everton, although this remains unconfirmed.
Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, general manager, international at StubHub, said: ‘As a new entrant to the UK market, we recognise the power of the Sunderland AFC brand and the passion its supporters have for the club. We have a similar passion for serving fans and are looking forward to working with the club to provide its supporters with a best-in-class marketplace and experience.’
Sunderland’s marketing director Mike Farnan added: ‘StubHub enters the UK market with a powerful reputation from more than decade in the US where they are recognised as the biggest and best-respected brand in secondary ticketing. This fits perfectly with our club ethos of affiliating ourselves with brands who are market-leaders in their field.’
‘StubHub impressed us hugely with their commitment to fans and this mirrors our own aims to provide Sunderland fans with the very best goods and services. Season card holders are the lifeblood of any football club and here at Sunderland we are fortunate to enjoy a vibrant and thriving season card holder base which we hope will enjoy the significant benefits of this unique partnership.’
