German Bundesliga football club Eintracht Frankfurt has entered into a partnership with global payment services company Mastercard, through which fans will be able to use contactless services at Deutsche Bank Park.
Mastercard has signed on as the technology partner of the club and its digital subsidiary, EintrachtTech. The partnership will focus on enabling new digital business models, with a particular focus to be placed on mobile payment.
Eintracht and Mastercard have worked with stadium sponsor Deutsche Bank to develop a new mobile payment system which will be implemented into the new club app over the coming months.
Once the new system has been rolled out, fans and other visitors to Deutsche Bank Park can use their smartphone wallet to make mobile and contactless payments anywhere in the stadium. The app will work independently of banks and enable users to enter a free, virtual debit Mastercard from Deutsche Bank, which is automatically linked to the respective current account of their own bank.
The cards will not need to be topped up and will be securely stored in the visitors’ smartphone wallets. The app will also allow users to make purchases elsewhere in the Rhine-Main area.
Eintracht said the service built by EintrachtTech is a “smart region application” that is designed to promote digital payments and strengthen retail in the Rhine-Main area. Users of the app will benefit from the usual sports-related features, along with other services such as tickets for public transport. Eintracht fans will be able to make contactless payments at all NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminals that accept Mastercard.
Timm Jäger, managing director of EintrachtTech, said: “Thanks to our new app, which will be launched soon, and the interaction between EintrachtTech, Deutsche Bank and Mastercard, we are opening up new possibilities for cashless, contactless payment for ourselves, our followers and regional retailers. This will simplify many processes when visiting the stadium and in everyday private life.”
Peter Bakenecker, division president in Germany and Switzerland for Mastercard, added: “Today, consumers expect digital solutions that enable simple, convenient and secure payment anywhere. This also applies to the stadium and other public areas such as public transport. We are all the more pleased that we as a technology company, together with our long-term partner Deutsche Bank, are able to cater to the needs of every individual in the Rhine-Main region by providing such a smart payment system for Eintracht Frankfurt.”
Eintracht will also work with Mastercard on further digital-focused initiatives and Internet of Things applications. These projects will be initiated by EintrachtTech’s ‘Arena of IoT’ digital centre.
Mastercard will also support the promotion of Eintracht’s women’s team as part of its agreement with the club.
Deutsche Bank Park’s managing director Patrik Meyer discussed the recent rebrand of the stadium and other changes at TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2020.
Image: Mastercard
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