Stubhub Expands Rugby Union Portfolio

Northampton Saints have signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with online ticketing company StubHub, expanding the eBay owned brand’s presence in rugby union after breaking into the sport in February with a partnership with Leicester Tigers.

The new agreement will see the StubHub logo displayed on the Premiership Rugby club’s playing shirts until at least 2016. 

The company also gains a package of marketing and activation rights, as well as access to the Saints’ fan database.

Saints chief executive Allan Robson said: ‘We are excited by this new elite sponsorship deal. Aside from the obvious financial and profile benefits that come from being associated with a global company like StubHub, this agreement will also help add value to what we can offer our supporters.’

‘In the past, when Season Ticket Holders have not been able to get to a game, they have either seen their ticket go to waste or had to come through the club’s Ticket Office to exchange it for another match, and even then only if they had paid to have a Flexi-Season Ticket package.’

‘This agreement with StubHub will mean that for the first time Season Ticket Holders will be able to sell their tickets on themselves, with all supporters who use the website also being covered by StubHub’s comprehensive guarantees and security features.’

Since launching in the UK in March 2012, StubHub has forged a number of partnerships with sporting organisations and venues in the market, including The O2, the Lawn Tennis Association, NBA Europe, and Barclays Premier League sides Everton, Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.

Nick Harford, the director of international partnerships at StubHub, added: ‘After just over a year operating in the UK, we have been fortunate to secure partnerships with some of the UK’s leading sports rights holders, alongside global entertainment business AEG, with the aim of providing fans access to the very best in sports, music and live entertainment events.’

‘We are delighted to be partnering with Northampton Saints and look forward to working closely with the club to both activate the agreement and ensure Saints supporters have the opportunity to purchase tickets safely and securely from other supporters.’