Philadelphia Union Extend Free Game Tickets for First-Time Fans

The Philadelphia Union soccer club has unveiled a new initiative to distribute tickets to fans attending their first soccer game.

Starting this weekend for the Union's regular-season game against the New York City FC, the club will allocate tickets in Subaru Park's River End stands, which are traditionally reserved for supporters' clubs, to give newcomers an immersive experience of the soccer atmosphere.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the program was conceived by John Parker, CEO of Kickback Soccer Media. The company launched last summer to grow soccer fandom through podcasts, social media, and newsletters. 

Kickback has pledged to allocate 3% of its gross revenue to support fan engagement initiatives aimed at increasing soccer fandom across the United States. This money will go toward a small number of tickets for Saturday's Union game, which is sold out.

Additionally, Kickback has partnered with the American Outlaws supporters' group to continue offering free tickets to U.S. men's and women's national team games.

The initiative is timed to coincide with the upcoming men's World Cup in 2026 and women's World Cup in 2027, capitalizing on the growing interest in U.S. soccer.

“As supporters, fans, and community members ourselves, we know there's no better way to grow the game and help people fall in love than to bring them to a game, buy them a beer, and just have fun together,” Parker said in a statement shared with the Inquirer. “And no one has more fun than the Sons of Ben and American Outlaws.”

The offer for U.S. games will start in October, featuring two matches for the men and three for the women — including a women's team game at Subaru Park on Oct. 23, which will honor superstar Alex Morgan's retirement.

The men will play in Chester in November against Paraguay, the fourth-to-last contest before the World Cup.