Last updated: October 2026
The Philadelphia Union hire student interns three times a year, and the nearest cohort closes on 30 October 2026, 13 days from now. The spring 2027 internship (January to May) is the only one open on the club's TeamWork Online board: part-time at about 20 hours a week, in person in Chester, Pennsylvania, and paid the Pennsylvania minimum of $7.25 an hour. Summer 2027 hasn't been posted. Here's the cycle in plain words: spring is the open door today, and applications for summer 2027 (May to August) are expected around mid-January 2027, because the summer 2026 posting went up on 15 January 2026 and closed on 15 February. If you want summer, mark January.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | The Union's page on TeamWork Online, which listed 10 jobs on 17 October 2026, one of them an internship. The club's own site has no careers page. Each cohort is a separate posting: Spring 2027 Student Internship |
| Application window (2027–28) | Spring 2027 (January to May): open now, closes 30 Oct 2026. Applications for summer 2027 expected ~mid-Jan 2027, closing ~mid-Feb 2027. Fall 2027 expected ~late Jun 2027; spring 2028 expected ~late Sep 2027 |
| Rolling? | No. The posting says "Applications must be received by October 30, 2026, to be considered." The last four windows each ran 30 to 31 days |
| Eligibility | A "Student Internship"; Microsoft Office, strong written and oral communication, passion for sports, some nights and weekends. Class year, GPA, credit and work authorization aren't stated in the posting |
| Duration | 10 to 12 weeks, part-time, about 20 hours a week. Cohorts: spring (January to May), summer (May to August), fall (September to December) |
| Compensation | Paid: "PA minimum wage which is $7.25/hour" in the spring 2027 posting. The same rate appears in all four postings from spring 2026 to spring 2027. About $1,450 to $1,740 over the term at 20 hours a week (our arithmetic) |
| Return offers | Conversion rate not published |
| Locations | Chester, PA, in person only (Subaru Park area, about 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia). The posting asks you to check you can commute |
| # Programs | Three cohorts a year across five areas: Business Operations, Community & Marketing, Digital & Creative, Field Operations and Sales |
One Union internship was open on 17 October 2026: spring 2027, closing 30 October. Summer 2027 hasn't posted and is expected around mid-January 2027; pay is $7.25 an hour.
The Union's internship asks for communication skills and, for digital roles, a portfolio, so finished projects help. Externships are short, remote programs where you complete a real project for a real company, most commonly over 8 weeks. The Beats by Dre Creative Advertising Strategy Externship fits the marketing, partnership and social media categories, and the Pinterest Gen Z Consumer Behavior Externship fits fan and community audience work. Explore all Externships.
What Is a Philadelphia Union Internship?
A Philadelphia Union internship is a part-time student role with the MLS club, based in Chester, Pennsylvania. The posting says internships with Union Sports & Entertainment, including Philadelphia Union, Union II and Union Academy, give students exposure to all facets of a professional soccer team's front office. The Union run three cohorts a year (spring, summer and fall) and post each one on TeamWork Online, not on the club's own website. Categories span business operations, community and marketing, digital and creative, field operations and sales. The spring 2026 posting describes the club as owned and operated by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, and the current one names Union Sports & Entertainment. This guide covers the MLS club, not Union Pacific, Union Omaha or Union Berlin.
When Do Philadelphia Union Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
The Union run three clocks, and the dates come from the club's own TeamWork postings. Spring 2026 posted on 17 September 2025 and closed on 17 October 2025. Summer 2026 (May to August) posted on 15 January 2026 and closed on 15 February. Fall 2026 (September to December) posted on 23 June 2026 and closed on 23 July. Spring 2027 posted on 30 September 2026 and closes on 30 October. Each window ran about a month, and each opened 2.5 to 4.5 months before its start. That makes mid-January 2027 the expected open date for summer 2027, from one dated prior summer cohort, so treat it as an estimate with low-to-moderate confidence.
The spring 2027 internship (January to May) is open until 30 October 2026. It's the only student internship on the Union's board today. Summer 2027 and fall 2027 haven't posted.
The spring 2027 deadline. The posting says applications must be received by this date to be considered, so a late application isn't an option.
Prepare for summer: choose the category you want, update your résumé and cover letter, and for Digital & Creative roles assemble a portfolio link. Set a TeamWork alert for the Union.
Applications for summer 2027 (May to August) are expected to open around mid-January 2027 and close around mid-February. Summer 2026 ran 15 January to 15 February. Apply in the first week.
The summer cohort is expected to run May to August 2027. Fall 2027 applications are expected around late June 2027, and spring 2028 applications around late September 2027.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
The Union's postings are a hard deadline with a short window: the spring 2027 posting says applications must be received by 30 October 2026, and the summer 2026 posting stayed open for 31 days (15 January to 15 February 2026). The posting doesn't say reviews happen on arrival, so we can't promise an early advantage. The case for applying in week one is that the window is only about a month and the pool is a single posting covering five areas, so there's little room to recover from a missed date.
Which Philadelphia Union Internship Programs Should You Target?
The spring 2027 posting lists these categories. You choose one when you apply, and the same areas have appeared across cohorts.
| Area | Categories | Hours and term | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Operations | Academy (MLS NEXT) Operations; Finance & Accounting; Subaru Park Stadium Operations; WSFS Bank Sportsplex Operations | Part-time, about 20 hours a week; 10 to 12 weeks | Microsoft Office, organization |
| Community & Marketing | Community Relations; Corporate Partnership Marketing; Grass Roots Events & Marketing; Philadelphia Union Foundation; Public Relations & Communications | Same | Written and oral communication |
| Digital & Creative | Broadcast; Digital Media; Photography; Social Media; Video Production | Same | Portfolio link in cover letter or résumé |
| Field Operations | Academy (MLS NEXT) Scouting; Equipment Operations; Game Day Operations; Union (MLS) Scouting; Union II (MLS Next Pro) Operations | Same; some nights and weekends | Availability, passion for sports |
| Sales | Corporate Partnership Sales; Ticket Sales | Same | Communication, Microsoft Office |
Find the posting on the Union's TeamWork page. Entry-level jobs on the same board, such as Inside Sales Representative, and part-time game-day or grounds roles, aren't internships.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
The spring 2027 posting is short on formal requirements:
• Student status: the posting is titled a "Student Internship". It doesn't state a class year or a graduation window.
• Skills: familiarity with Microsoft Office, excellent written and oral communication, and a passion for sports in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability: about 20 hours a week for 10 to 12 weeks, with some nights and weekends.
• Location: in person only in Chester, PA. The posting tells you to make sure you can commute easily.
• Portfolio: Digital & Creative applicants include a link in their cover letter or résumé.
• GPA, academic credit and work authorization: not stated in the posting.
Can Recent Graduates Apply?
The posting calls itself a student internship but doesn't spell out the rule. A 2024 post on r/PhillyUnion from a recent graduate says the club only allows current students, and that's one fan's account, not the Union's policy. If you've just graduated, check with the club before you apply, or look at the entry-level jobs on the same board.
What Skills Does the Philadelphia Union Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
The Union post one umbrella internship per cohort, so its skills list is short. The spring 2027 posting asks for Microsoft Office, excellent written and oral communication, a passion for sports, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, including some nights and weekends. Digital & Creative candidates add a portfolio link. Beyond that, the categories tell you what each area does: sales, partnerships, community events, game-day operations, scouting and video.
Note: The Union post one umbrella internship per cohort with the same text each time, so a count of skills across postings would read 1 of 1. We left the bar chart out rather than invent a base. The skills above come from the spring 2027 posting.
How Is Demand for Marketing Interns Moving Right Now?
Marketing intern postings · Sep vs Aug 2026
vs 1,424 in August
For Union applicants: the club's only internship posted on 17 October 2026 is the spring 2027 cohort, and it closes on 30 October.
Daily US job-posting counts, Sep 1–30 vs Aug 1–31, 2026. Covers under half of US postings; shows direction, not market size.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
Each skill below comes from the Union's posting or its category list and maps to a remote Externship you can start this month.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership marketing and social media | Corporate Partnership Marketing, Social Media and Digital Media categories | Beats by Dre Creative Advertising Strategy |
| Fan and community audience insight | Community Relations, Grass Roots Events & Marketing and Foundation categories | Pinterest Gen Z Consumer Behavior |
| Sales and ticketing analysis | Ticket Sales and Corporate Partnership Sales categories | Breaking Games E-Commerce Data Analysis & Strategy |
| Finance and accounting | Finance & Accounting category in Business Operations | Attronica Financial Planning & Analysis and Private Company Valuation |
| Consumer research | Corporate Partnership Marketing and Public Relations categories | Consumer Behavior Insights with Generous Brands |
For Digital & Creative roles, an Externship deliverable can sit in the portfolio link the posting asks for.
What Is the Philadelphia Union Application and Interview Process Like?
The Union don't publish an interview format. This is what the posting shows:
1. Pick the cohort. Spring 2027 is open now; summer 2027 is expected in mid-January. Each cohort is its own posting.
2. Choose a category. The posting lists five areas and more than 20 categories, so say which one you want and why.
3. Apply on TeamWork Online. Applications must be received by 30 October 2026 for spring. Digital & Creative applicants add a portfolio link.
4. Confirm your commute. The internship is in person only in Chester, PA.
5. Interview and offer. The format isn't published.
Pay is the Pennsylvania minimum, $7.25 an hour, so plan your costs before you apply.
What Students on Reddit Say
We found one usable thread, from the club's own fan subreddit. Other results were about different clubs, so there's just one card.
A recent graduate asked how to get a job with the Union and said the internship was limited to current students. Replies called the industry insular and driven by who you know, and suggested game-day roles, the academy and TeamWork Online as ways in. One commenter said they had interned with the academy for a summer after cold-emailing, and another advised staying away from ticket sales.
How Do You Stand Out for a Union Internship?
Three moves. First, know your cohort. Spring 2027 closes on 30 October 2026, and the summer 2027 window is expected from mid-January 2027, so set a TeamWork alert for the Union. Second, pick a category and say why. The posting lists specific areas, from Academy Scouting to Corporate Partnership Marketing, and Digital & Creative applicants need a portfolio link, so lead with the work. Third, show up. Subaru Park is in Chester, the internship is in person only, and a fan thread suggests game-day roles and the academy as other routes in. The Union don't publish an applicant count, class size or conversion rate, so treat the internship as your way in and ask about next steps once you're there.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
If you're aiming at the Union, these programs sit closest by sport or by league.
- Sporting Kansas Cityanother MLS club with three internship cohorts a yearGuide →
- Columbus CrewMLS club that hires season-long interns, with applications expected in winterGuide →
- D.C. UnitedMLS club that hires interns in spring, summer and fall wavesGuide →
- ESPNsports media alternative for content and video internsGuide →
- Nikesports brand alternative for marketing internsGuide →
Our sports internships summer 2027 guide maps league, team, media and betting programs in one place.
FAQ
Can I still apply for a summer 2026 Philadelphia Union internship?
No. The summer 2026 posting ran from 15 January to 15 February 2026 on the Union's TeamWork page, and it's closed. What's open now is the spring 2027 internship, until 30 October 2026. Summer 2027 applications are expected around mid-January 2027.
Is a Philadelphia Union internship paid?
Yes, at the Pennsylvania minimum wage. The spring 2027 posting says the pay is $7.25 an hour for about 20 hours a week over 10 to 12 weeks. The same rate appears in the club's postings for spring 2026, summer 2026 and fall 2026.
What is the deadline for the Philadelphia Union spring 2027 internship?
30 October 2026. The posting says applications must be received by that date to be considered. It went up on 30 September 2026 for a January to May internship, so the window is about a month, and the application runs through TeamWork Online.
When do Philadelphia Union summer 2027 internships post?
Expected around mid-January 2027, closing around mid-February. The summer 2026 posting went up on 15 January 2026 and closed on 15 February. That's one dated prior summer cohort, so treat the timing as an estimate and check the Union's TeamWork page in early January.
Where are Philadelphia Union internships located?
In person in Chester, Pennsylvania, near Subaru Park, about 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia. The posting says only in-person work is offered and tells applicants to make sure they can commute easily. Interns may work some nights and weekends, so a car or reliable transit matters.
How many internship cohorts do the Union run?
Three a year: spring (January to May), summer (May to August) and fall (September to December). Each is a separate TeamWork posting. Spring 2026 posted in September 2025, summer in January, and fall 2026 in June, so each opens about 2.5 to 4.5 months before it starts.
Can recent graduates apply for a Union internship?
The posting is a student internship but doesn't state the rule. A 2024 fan post said the club allows only current students. That's one person's account, so confirm with the club. The Union's board also lists entry-level jobs, such as Inside Sales Representative, which aren't internships.
Is a Philadelphia Union internship the same as a Union Pacific internship?
No. Union Pacific is a railroad with its own program; see our Union Pacific internship guide. The Philadelphia Union is the MLS club in Chester, Pennsylvania, and it posts its own internships on TeamWork Online. Union II is the club's own MLS NEXT Pro side.
The Union's spring 2027 internship closes on 30 October, and summer 2027 is expected in mid-January. Apply to what's open now, and use the gap for a finished project: a remote Externship takes about 5 to 10 hours a week.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
