The National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs are partnering with mobile payment technology company Tappit to take Arrowhead Stadium cashless in order to help eliminate Covid-19 risks and improve the fan experience.
The multiyear deal, which will begin in the 2020 NFL season, is the United Kingdom-based Tappit’s first foray into the United States. The length and terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Tappit will begin integrating its technology into the Chiefs’ mobile app immediately, while updates to point-of-sale locations throughout Arrowhead Stadium will be completed in the coming weeks.
It means fans will only be allowed to purchase merchandise and concessions at the venue using the Chiefs mobile app by linking a payment method (bank or credit card, Google or Apple Pay, etc.).
The cashless solution will help minimize the amount of contact between fans and staff, allowing for a much cleaner experience that limits the possibility of passing bacteria between one another. It also reduces the risk of fraud and theft, while fans will also be able to receive personalized vouchers, incentives and loyalty points.
The data and insights delivered by the platform will, in turn, help the Chiefs maximize the fan experience and ensure operations are as efficient as possible.
The Chiefs are planning to allow limited fans at home games this season in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, though the exact number has yet to be finalized.
“Tappit has an outstanding track record of working in the live event and hospitality industry around the world, including sports teams, international events and festivals,” said Tyler Epp, the Chiefs executive vice president of business operations. “As we prepare to bring football back to Chiefs Kingdom, we are committed to the health and safety of our players, staff and fans. With cashless payments powered by Tappit, we’re one step closer to having fans back in Arrowhead Stadium safely, while minimizing person-to-person contact.”
Tappit has partnerships with English soccer teams Manchester City and Birmingham City, Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix and Dubai’s Sevens Stadium, among others.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United, and the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field were the first US venues to go cashless in 2019.
A number of other venues have followed suit, including the Utah Jazz’s Vivint Smart Home Arena and CenturyLink Field, the home venue of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and MLS’s Seattle Sounders.
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