Skip to Contact an Expert Skip to Main Content
Carat logo
  • What we do
    What we do
    Explore the Carat Platform

    Orchestrate payments and commerce experiences.

    Alternative Payments

    Engage more customers and lower the cost of payments.

    Secure Commerce

    Protect your brand.

    Heading
    Control Center

    Take control of your business with data and insights.

    Omnichannel Commerce

    Imagine and realize new customer experiences.

    Payment Engine

    Simplify global payments and offer more choice.

    Payment Optimisation

    Grow revenue, lower costs, reduce risk.

    Integration

    Simplify integration and get to market faster.

    Heading
    Local Payments & Wallets

    Unlock revenue in markets that matter to you.

    Currency Solutions

    Attract more customers and reduce cart abandonment.

    Payouts / Disbursements

    Deliver fast, more secure, cost-effective payouts.

    Gift & Branded Currency

    Drive customer acquisition, retention, and loyalty.

    Buy Now, Pay Later

    Increase your mix to cater to budget-conscious consumers.

    Heading
    Fraud Mitigation

    Help reduce fraud losses and maximize acceptance.

    Encryption & Tokenisation

    Help secure your business with multiple layers of end-to-end protection.

    Driving Growth for Retailers cover image
    Driving Growth for Retailers
    Learn more
    Payment Optimization checklist cover image
    Payment Optimization Checklist
    Learn more
    Payment Optimization checklist cover image
    Payment Optimization Checklist
    Learn more
  • Developers
  • Insights
  • location Country Selector
    Country Selector
    North America (English)
    Asia Pacific (English)
    Europe, Middle East & Africa (English)
    Brazil (Português)
  • Contact Us
  1. Resources
  2. How Digitising Payments In Stadiums Is Revolutionising Events

How Digitising Payments In Stadiums Is Revolutionising Events

Daniel Kalytta | Product Director at Fiserv

14.11.2023

How Digitising Payments In Stadiums Is Revolutionising Events

If one good thing came out of the pandemic, it was the shift to cashless payment experiences at sporting events. This trend was already underway, but the digital transformation taking place across the industry has only accelerated as a result with 82% of people viewing contactless and low-touch media as the safest way to order and pay​1.

Cashless systems are fast becoming the norm in stadiums throughout the world, ushering in a new era of convenience and integration. For example, the King Power Stadium in Leicester City will now allow Premier League fans to purchase food and drinks without having to pay at a till using digital check-out-less payment technology.

Other UK stadiums have already gone cashless, including Luton Town, Leyton Orient and Derby County. This trend is expanding throughout Europe. Prominent stadiums, such as Ireland’s Croke Park Stadium and the Jahnstadion Regensburg in Germany, as well as sports facilities in Switzerland and Ukraine are all embracing the shift to digital payments.

Sports fans are increasingly demanding digital payment options at sports arenas too, as cashless payments can reduce transaction times by up to 50%2. With that, cashless payment options have been shown to lead to a 15-30% increase in fan spend, due to reduced queuing times and a more streamlined purchasing process, meaning that venues should partake in this trend of digitising payments3.

Score One for the Home Team: The Advantages of Cashless Systems

Cashless systems in sports stadiums offer a multitude of advantages. Fans enjoy a more seamless experience, removing the need to carry physical currency, which can be lost or stolen. By reducing reliance on cash payments, stadiums can process payments much more quickly, thus reducing the time customers are stuck in long lines at concessions. This efficiency also benefits vendors, allowing for quicker sales, smoother flow of service and the ability to sell more goods.

According to Sport Business, “Ask any fan – or indeed any facility manager – to name the biggest drawback of in-person event attendance, and it’s likely they’d name the time spent standing in queues. Smart stadiums could drastically reduce, if not completely eradicate, this frustration.”  Digital payment options will be a key component of any smart stadium. maximising revenue opportunities through upselling and cross selling that appeals directly to consumer preferences.

Another advantage of cashless systems is the ease with which they integrate with loyalty programs, which enhance the fan experience. Digital payment solutions allow for greater personalisation of rewards and promotions that cater to individual consumer preferences.

Engaging Fans Like Never Before with Mobile Solutions

Mobile wallets and dedicated apps are at the forefront of transforming transactions and fan engagement within arenas. These tools allow spectators to make purchases, accrue rewards, and unlock exclusive content—all from their smartphones. For instance, at Fiserv arena, home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, orders initiated through mobile devices totalled 8-10% of order volume per game, a significant increase from about 1% prior to the adoption of cashless systems2.

When mobile ticketing and in-seat ordering services are integrated into payment solutions, stadiums can offer a more interactive and user-friendly experience. The ability to integrate both stationary and mobile POS terminals into a single platform is also attractive for arenas as it means a reduced focus on managing multiple platforms, which in turn allows operators to focus on what’s truly important – delivering the best fan experience.

One vital aspect of that experience is security. In digital transactions, maintaining stringent security protocols is imperative to safeguard fan data and ensure transaction integrity. Encrypting data, utilising tokenisation, and requiring multifactor authentication are just a few of the strategies employed to fortify security. There is a fine line to tread, however, between this needed security and customer convenience. Digital payments offer significant security protections that customers can bank on.  

Overcoming Implementation Challenges

The transition to digital payment systems isn't without its challenges, primarily the need for infrastructural enhancements to support new technologies. Introducing next-gen digital payment solutions means deploying mobile payment terminals and embracing innovative payment methods. While there are costs associated with implementation, the return on investment is warranted. The improvement in sales, efficiency of payment processing and the overall enhancement of the customer experience clearly justify the hurdles in upgrading stadium payment systems.

Future Payment Trends in Stadiums

Looking to the future, biometric and tailored payment options are set to revolutionise the industry. Biometrics offer a personalised and secure transaction method, while tailored systems like automatic user recognition and loyalty schemes promise a customer-prioritised progression. These technologies are still in their nascent stages within the arena setting, but their future is promising.

The shift toward digital payment systems in sports arenas is a critical evolution in improving fan experience, offering speed and personalisation, while also demanding attention to security and infrastructure. The move to a cashless environment is not just a trend, but a leap forward in enhancing the dynamic world of sports entertainment.

Explore more Carat solutions

  • Omnichannel Experiences
  • Local Payments & Wallets
  • Gift & Branded Currency
  • Payment Optimisation
  • Currency Solutions
  • Buy Now, Pay Later
  • Payouts & Disbursements
  • Encryption & Tokenisation
  • Fraud Mitigation
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

© 2025 Fiserv, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Fiserv and Carat are trading names, trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks or registered service marks of Fiserv, Inc. or its affiliates. All trademarks referenced here are the property of the respective owners. First Data Merchant Services LLC is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, Concord, CA; Deutsche Bank G, New York, NY; BBVA USA, Birmingham, AL; MVB Bank, Fairmont, WV; and Pathward, N.A, Sioux Falls, SD. Outside of the US, Carat may be provided by Fiserv affiliates and/or financial service providers in the applicable region. Carat solution availability and functionality may vary by region. Contact us for further information.

  • About Fiserv
  • Investors
  • Careers
  • Payments 101
  • Developers
  • Contact
  • Legal
  • Privacy Notice
  • Site Map

Site Selector