The introduction of “contactless tickets” at Suncorp Stadium is proving to be a crowd-pleaser, according to the Chairman and CEO of ASM Global (Asia Pacific), Harvey Lister.
In June this year, Suncorp Stadium, which is managed by ASM Global – the leading provider of innovative venue services and live experiences, became the first sports and entertainment Stadium in Australia to offer contactless tickets on iPhone and Apple Watch through the company’s and venue’s partnership with Ticketek.
This has provided fans with the ability to securely add their contactless tickets to their Apple Wallet in a single touch.
Ticket holders simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near to the turnstile’s reader, making for fast, hassle-free entry without the need for fans to search for their tickets.
Mr. Lister said at the 11 games held since the introduction of contactless or “tap-and-go” tickets, some 15,000 fans had entered the venue using the new technology, with 60% of mobile ticket holders loading their tickets to their Apple Wallet, allowing them to use tap-and-go.
“We are proud to be the first venue in Australia to offer this innovative technology for our customers through our ticketing partner Ticketek,” he said.
“Contactless tickets on iPhone and Apple Watch are easier and more secure, eliminating the need to search pockets or wallets and fans no longer have to worry about losing their paper ticket.
“The benefits also extend beyond the turnstile, with fans also able to use Apple Pay to purchase food, drinks and merchandise throughout the stadium,” Mr. Lister said.
TEG’s Chief Operating Officer and Head of Ticketing, Cameron Hoy, said customer adoption of digital tickets continues to accelerate with over 2 million tickets added to Apple Wallets by Ticketek fans since January.
“We are excited to have partnered with Suncorp Stadium in a world first to bring their customers a seamless, secure and frictionless experience when making their way into the venue,” Mr Hoy said.
Ticketek has long been the market leader in mobile and was first to launch mobile tickets in 2011.
Since then, there has been rapid growth in customer adoption of digital tickets, with over 70% of tickets in Australia now delivered electronically, and 41% of these directly to mobiles.
The addition of contactless ticketing is predicted to further accelerate the shift to paperless digital ticketing.
Join the most engaged community in the Sports Business World.
Get all the latest news, insights, data, education and event updates.