How do you give fans a world-class match day experience while still keeping things simple for your front office?
For Chattanooga Football Club (CFC), the answer was finding a ticketing partner that could actually keep up with their momentum. By partnering with Passage, they were able to simplify their front-office work and make it easier than ever for fans to grab a seat at Finley Stadium.
At Passage, we believe our success is defined by your success. We’re committed to providing the tools and support you need to sell out your matches and eliminate operational headaches. We’re sharing this case study today because we love celebrating our partners' wins, and we know how useful it is for sports organizations to see real-world examples of how others are growing their brands.
There’s nothing quite like the energy at Finley Stadium on match day. Press play below to see the CFC community in action and hear how they’re using Passage to stay ahead of the curve. Then read on for more details about CFC's journey.
Founded in 2009, Chattanooga FC has grown from a grassroots local favorite into a cornerstone of the professional soccer landscape in the United States. Today, they compete in MLS NEXT Pro, playing their home matches at the historic Finley Stadium in downtown Chattanooga.
Known for one of the most passionate fan bases in lower-division soccer, anchored by the "Chattahooligans" supporters group, CFC has built a reputation for an electric match-day atmosphere. Their commitment to the community extends beyond the pitch, with a professional men’s team, a successful women’s team in the WPSL, and a robust youth academy.
By modernizing their approach to both the fan experience and back-end management, Chattanooga FC didn't just simplify their ticketing; they created a scalable engine for revenue growth.
Before partnering with Passage, Chattanooga FC faced significant friction with their previous ticketing provider. As a club that prides itself on being "built, not bought," they needed a platform that could keep up with their rapid growth and the infectious energy of their fans. Their primary challenges included:
Inadequate Customer Support: The team needed reliable, fast communication to handle the complexities of professional sports ticketing.
Operational Friction: The front office needed a system that was easy to learn and navigate, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.
A Fragmented Fan Journey: They needed a seamless way for fans to purchase, download, and scan tickets to get them into the stadium faster.
And they needed their new ticketing platform to be powerful enough to handle the matchday operations of a large, professional soccer club with thousands of fans attending each game.
Chattanooga FC utilized Passage’s comprehensive sports ticketing features to create a "scan and go" environment for their fans while empowering their staff with better data and easier workflows.
Key features that drove their success included:
Versatile Ticket Bundling: The ability to easily manage season tickets, group tickets, "flex" tickets, and single-game offers within one platform.
World-Class Support: 24/7 access to the Passage support team via phone and email, ensuring any issues are resolved within the hour.
Intuitive Back-End Management: A user-friendly interface that makes it "super easy" to train new staff members and launch new events or promotions quickly.
But it’s not just about the back-end. It’s about the entire journey from the first click to the final whistle. Sam Click, Director of Revenue at Chattanooga FC, highlights why having a one-stop suite is a game-changer for a growing sports brand:
"Passage is a fantastic one-stop solution, no matter the size of your sports business. They have a platform that gives you a suite to be able to do anything you need from the start of the customer journey all the way through the end." — Sam Click, Director of Revenue at Chattanooga FC
The transition to Passage provided Chattanooga FC with the stability and agility needed to focus on what matters most: the fans and the game.
Increased Operational Efficiency: The ease of use on the back end allowed the front office to "brainstorm and implement" new best practices rapidly.
Unmatched Responsiveness: With a dedicated representative, the CFC team can get answers and strategic ideas in under an hour.
Growth Across All Tiers: The platform successfully supports both their professional men’s team and women’s team, proving its scalability for any size of sports business.
Seamless Match Day Entry: By moving more transactions online and simplifying the mobile experience, the club has reduced bottlenecks at the gates.
Managing a professional schedule means handling everything from season passes to last-minute single-game deals. Anthony Nash, CFC’s Manager of Ticket Operations, says the transition to a more intuitive system changed the way they work every day:
"Passage is a super easy platform to use when it comes to season tickets, group tickets, and flex tickets. Putting together single-game offers is a super seamless, easy process to teach and utilize on a day-to-day basis." — Anthony Nash, Manager of Ticket Operations at Chattanooga FC
Whether you manage a professional club, a semi-pro league, or a local tournament, Passage is designed to help you reach more fans and scale your revenue. From season pass management to real-time reporting and best-in-the-country support, we provide the tools you need to grow.
Stop stressing out and start selling out. Schedule a no-pressure call with a helpful ticketing expert today.