⚽Best Practices: SMS Marketing for Soccer Teams

As the soccer season gets underway, excitement is already building across the league, and SMS marketing for soccer teams keeps that excitement going all season long.

But the best campaigns don’t just push ticket sales. They build anticipation, strengthen the connection between fans and the team, and keep supporters engaged during the opening stretch of the season.

Here are three real SMS examples from soccer clubs using text messaging to drive revenue, increase fan engagement, and communicate key information around the season.

 

🏟️ Early-Season Match Promotion: Pair Simple Text with a Strong Visual

The opening weeks of the season are some of the most important moments to capture Louisville City FCfan attention. Early home matches set the tone for the year and give teams a chance to build momentum with their supporters.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to promote these games through SMS is to keep the message short and let a strong visual do the work.

Louisville City FC sent a clean, straightforward text announcing that home opener tickets were on sale, paired with a bold game-day image. 

Fans instantly understood:

  • The event
  • The date
  • The excitement surrounding the match

This combination makes the message easy to scan and highly engaging.

Why It Works
  • Including a strong image drives 300% more engagement
  • The text is short and easy to read
  • Fans quickly understand the value of the message
Best Practice

During the opening month of the season, keep promotional texts simple and let a strong visual drive the excitement. A bold game-day image paired with clear copy can stop fans mid-scroll and drive action.

 

📝 Player Announcements: Turn Roster News Into Fan Engagement

Not every SMS needs to sell tickets, some of the most engaging messages simply bring Sporting Kansas City fans closer to the team.

Sporting Kansas City used SMS to announce the signing of defender Ethan Bartlow, welcoming him to the club and sharing the news directly with supporters. 

The campaign generated a 28% click-through rate.

Instead of focusing on transactions, the message focused on team excitement and connection.

Why It Works
  • Fans feel closer to the club
  • It delivers breaking team news instantly
  • Drives fan engagement around the roster and the season ahead
Best Practice

Use SMS to celebrate moments that matter to fans, like player signings, roster updates, and club milestones. These messages build engagement even when you’re not promoting a sale.

 

👕 Early-Season Fan Events: SMS Marketing for Soccer Teams Beyond Match Day

The start of the season isn’t just about the matches themselves. It’s also a great time to Louisville City FCcreate experiences that bring fans closer to the club.

Louisville City FC used SMS to invite season ticket members to a kit launch party. 

The message offered supporters:

  • Exclusive first look at the new jerseys
  • Meet the players in person
  • Hear from the head coach 
  • Food & drinks available at the event

The result? A 25% click-through rate.

Instead of simply announcing the new kit, the team created an experience fans wanted to be part of.

Why It Works
  • It feels exclusive for season ticket members
  • Sparks excitement and fan engagement
  • Fills seats during the season
  • It offers fans a unique event beyond game day
Best Practice

The opening stretch of the season is the perfect time to host fan experiences like kit launches, meet-and-greets, and supporter events. SMS helps teams drive attendance and build excitement around these moments.

 

⚽ The Winning SMS Strategy for Soccer Teams

The best soccer SMS marketing campaigns share a few common traits:

  • Clear, concise messages
  • Strong visuals that grab attention
  • Content that excites fans beyond ticket sales

From early-season match promotions to fan events and player announcements, SMS helps teams stay connected with supporters during the most exciting part of the season.

When used strategically, SMS becomes more than a marketing channel, it becomes a way to bring fans closer to the team.

And that’s always a winning play. ⚽ Want to talk through your winning SMS marketing strategy? Reach out to your account manager, we are always happy to help.