Features

Besiktas steps up fan experience with new mobile app

Turkish Süper Lig football club Besiktas has teamed up with digital financial technology specialist Wirecard to deliver a new mobile app that will allow supporters to order refreshments from their seats during matches.

The latest version of the app will feature an integrated mobile wallet, allowing fans of the Istanbul-based club to order and pay for food and drink without having to leave their seat at Vodafone Park. Supporters can then pick up their order without having to wait in line.

According to Wirecard, which will enable and process the digital payments, the app is used by more than 300,000 people.

The initiative will cover the main refreshments sales point at Vodafone Park to begin with, although Besiktas plans on extending the scope of the app to cover other sales points, along with fast-food outlets. Wirecard said the app will eventually be used to pay for branded merchandise, while fans will also be able to earn points whenever they use the mobile wallet to make purchases.

Umut Kutlu, chief marketing officer at Besiktas, said: “We want to make the fan experience as positive as possible. Thanks to Wirecard, we now offer our fans a new level of convenience by enabling them to purchase refreshments within the new Beşiktaş JK mobile app and skip the long lines that can form at half time when up to 40,000 spectators leave their seats at the same time. We have already received great feedback on the app and are excited to expand the payment solution to other areas soon.”

Dündar Özdemir, managing director at Wirecard in Turkey, added: “We are proud to work with such a forward-thinking and respected club as Beşiktaş JK. We share a common vision of enabling seamless, optimised customer experiences and are delighted to offer Beşiktaş JK fans the possibility of making quick and simple purchases via the Beşiktaş JK mobile app. Together, we are meeting the needs of modern sports’ fans who have high expectations not only from their team but also from their digital experiences.”

The new app is available for iOS and Android devices.

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