http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/02/membership-letter-robb-heineman So what do you think? Feels like having a 'Rewards Program' key fob to me, kinda like the ones where you only get the manager special if you join for free ... mutton $1.99/llb ...
And for those who may be unable to click on certain links at work: At its core, the membership is being created to entertain, save our fans money and give them access to stuff. The only cost for the membership is providing us some simple profile information, participation is completely free. Our groundbreaking affinity program will reward you for how much, how often and how deeply you interact with Sporting Club teams, places or events. It will help you get better connected to our partners, while also providing substantial discounts on the goods and services they offer. • The first tangible benefit membership will offer is the opportunity for complimentary tickets to road matches. Initially, we’ll buy 50 per match with the hopes of there being a much higher demand – it would be great if we had that many members interested in traveling to support our club. Due to close proximity, as well as the strong desire to provide as much support for the team as possible during the season-opening road trip, we are purchasing up to 300 tickets for the Chicago Fire match on March 26. • When Sporting Park opens, members will have the opportunity to check-in and receive complimentary access to the Members’ Section of the stadium for three (3) Sporting Kansas City matches per season. Season ticket holders in this section will receive additional complimentary vouchers to bring family or friends. • Members may access the Sporting Park mobile app which will provide information and services for Sporting Club events. • The overall experience at Sporting Park will be greatly enhanced by the membership program. For example, we will be able to remember your concession preferences and provide ordering through the mobile app. Affinity point will be redeemable for discounts at the stadium, and members will have the ability to actively participate and share their own content with other fans at the stadium. • Members will have the opportunity to purchase Sporting Passes for kids under the age of 18. A Sporting Pass is $59.99 and provides entry to three matches in the South Stand (which may be chosen online in-advance), as well as access to any other matches on a complimentary basis in which there is availability in that section. Additionally, the Sporting Pass provides special offers on merchandise, discounted tickets purchased for family members and a commemorative credential to access Sporting Park. • Members will have access to exclusive Sporting Kansas City content, as well as invitations to members-only ticket presales for concerts and special events at Sporting Park. • The Membership Activation Lounge or “MAL” will allow you to purchase goods and services from our partners at discounts up to 80% off retail. By taking advantage of these offers, you will then have the opportunity to unlock new benefits and affinity rewards. • Members may also purchase single-game tickets at a discount. Our goal is to create an experience that offers something for everyone – whether you are a diehard Sporting fan, music buff or savvy online shopper. While these are the initial benefits that will be available, Sporting Club intends on introducing new benefits to the membership on an accelerated timetable which will allow members to further engage with Sporting Club. If there are additional services you are interested in seeing within the membership, please let us know and we’ll work to see if they can be integrated within the platform. You can email members@SportingKC.com with your ideas and requests. We are committed to delivering a membership experience that is truly representative of our vision. For this reason, we have recently secured additional resources to help make this happen, including the addition of Asim Pasha, new CIO & Chief Architect of Sporting Club. With leadership from Asim, we expect to have the first version of our platform ready for launch prior to the much anticipated opening of Sporting Park on June 9. Thanks for your support, Robb Heineman
"When Sporting Park opens, members will have the opportunity to check-in and receive complimentary access to the Members’ Section of the stadium for three (3) Sporting Kansas City matches per season. Season ticket holders in this section will receive additional complimentary vouchers to bring family or friends." This is nice.
This sounds nice as well, other than I'll have to go buy a smarty-pants phone to enjoy it. But how does it work? My normal concession at halftime is a beer and two cigarettes. At the 43' mark do I press a button on my phone and then slip into the club and my beer and set of matches wait for me somewhere? Cool.
there is kinda a start of kids program, not what you described in the mls general thread you started, but its a step i guess
they will have your seat number as well (unless your are in the Cauldron/Members Section), you might be able to get it brought to you.
There are two separate ticket programs. One is for U-18 ("Sporting Pass" - i.e., the "kid's program"), and the other is for all members and access to the Member's Stand.
Other stadiums have that where you can sign up a credit card and get it brought to your seat. I know Rio Tinto has that.
This is actually better than I expected and some of the stuff previously said seem much more realistic and reasonable now. I absolutely love the idea of tickets for away games. Though, whats stopping fans from the home team from signing up and scooping up those tickets? How can you actually prove that you are a KC fan? Anyways, this should hopefully encourage more traveling KC fans. Which is always welcome in my book. Theres something awesome about watching an away game on tv and seeing your team is well supported in the stands.
So by being a STH does that provide them with the basic profile info they request in order to be a member? Or do we have to fill out something elsewhere? That part is still a little murky...
So does this not apply to those in the Member's Stand? I mean, I suppose there is the bar right in the middle of it. Plus, it'd hard to tell them where you are. "I'm behind the goal in a blue team shirt. Thanks for the hot dog". But I would still love it because I hate to leave to get something in the middle of a game.
Big brother know where you are. I would be happy if I could walk in an pick up my beer without waiting in line.
There is a human filter (who shall remain nameless...could be anybody...) screening the ticket requests and handling distribution. I'm sure someone could sneak through, but...probably not.
50 Per Game is probably optimistic .. if I am a MLS fan out of state I am registering as a member just so I can get free tickets to the local team. Aggro warning inserted. This is nice. So those of us with $600 phones get to play I do like the frequent flyer miles though -- should be great for those people who go to games to eat rather than watch. This is really weak. As an advocate of concessions for kids this isn't nearly as permanent or appropriate as it could and should be. $59.99 for a season for under 18s and I am slapping you on the back .. but they miss the marquee games in this scenario and have little ability to plan ahead where the availability is unknown. Kudos for extending it to 18 year olds, but overall this is a token effort.
It makes you wonder exactly how the space in the club will be divided, and what the layout is going to be like. At the tour the only real impression you could get was "big".
Yes, season ticket holders are already members. As for non season ticket holders, official registration will come closer to June 9 as the platform is built out and launched by Asim's team. Someone who signs up for road tickets between now and launch of the platform will be considered a member.
All "members" (especially those in the Member Section) shall attend a special pre-season event where your personal RFID chip will be implanted.