Sport Social Podcast Network has teamed up with Virgin Bet to launch a UK-wide podcast advertising campaign supporting football fans facing rising season ticket costs.
A Grand Isn’t Grand is an initiative which ran across Sport Social’s football fan-driven podcasts, awarding eight dedicated supporters £1,000 each towards their season tickets.
Led by Manchester United fan podcast Stretford Paddock, the campaign provided a platform for real fans to share their stories and be rewarded for their dedication.
Football fans were encouraged to submit nominations detailing why they or someone they knew deserved financial support for their season ticket.
Winners were selected based on their contributions to their local football communities and the positive impact they had on fellow supporters.
With Premier League season tickets often exceeding £1,000, the campaign highlighted the financial strain on loyal fans. Virgin Bet’s initiative demonstrated its commitment to making football more accessible and reinforcing its ‘A Good Bet’ ethos – focusing on driving positive change within the football community.
Jay and Joe from Stretford Paddock said: “Football should be more accessible, and we think so too! Virgin Bet believes betting can be a force for good – it’s not just about winning and losing, but making an impact and engaging with real fans.”
The campaign was widely promoted through the Sport Social Podcast Network, with organic social media support amplifying its reach.
A Grand Isn’t Grand also received significant media attention, featuring in major publications such as The Sun and Gambling Insider.
Dominic Vye, Marketing Director at Virgin Bet, said: “At Virgin Bet, we believe that ‘A Grand Isn’t Grand’ when it comes to the cost of being a football fan.
“We are committed to making sport accessible for all, and with rising season ticket prices, this campaign is our way of supporting fans who help make the sport so special.
“This campaign is beyond just a refund; this is about celebrating the role fans play in the game and supporting their continued access to the sport they love.”
Chloe Yates, Senior Account Director at Sport Social said: “Working on this campaign has been incredibly rewarding – not just from a creative perspective, but because it gave us a real opportunity to give something back to the people who make our podcasts what they are: the fans.
“So many of our listeners live and breathe football, and for many, the rising cost of attending games can be a real barrier.
“Helping to make the experience of watching live football more accessible – and shining a light on the people who go above and beyond for their clubs – felt really meaningful. It’s campaigns like this that remind us why we do what we do.”
For more information, visit winwithsportsocial.com.
