The Philadelphia Union soccer team, currently fifth in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, hopes “to improve and enhance the fan experience at matches” with a 26-person fan council, according to a Philadelphia Business Journal article by John George.

This inaugural “Union Fan Council” will meet regularly throughout the year and provide feedback on what fans want.  “Topics of discussion for the board will include items such as in-stadium events, ticket programs, community initiatives, concessions and merchandising.”

Tim McDermott, the Union’s CBO, emphasizes that, “this is a opportunity to pro-actively engage with our dedicated fan base and learn what’s important to them.”

The 26-board members were selected from 500 applications. The chosen members offer a “well-diversified representation of our overall fan base.”

All members have committed to a 12-month term and will attend six-to-eight meetings per year to maintain board eligibility.

The first meeting was held at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA.

Read more about the Union’s Fan Council and see a full list of board council members, here.