Connected Tech Gives Sports Venues An All Star Opportunity To Fill The Stands

Consumers are set to spend $23 billion buying mobile tickets for sports and gaming events by 2023.

Sports brands are thus looking to a host of new technologies, like contactless payments, and even virtual reality technology, to accommodate a new generation of mobile users.

Stadiums from the United States to Japan are implementing contactless payments, in-seat ordering or even going full-on cashless to add more convenience to their in-person experiences. Other sports venues and companies are working with media outlets and streaming channels to bring a new connected component into their events.

The sports world is also adapting to the increasing popularity of online sports betting, with 10 states passing rules regulating the activity in 2018 after the Supreme Court ruled in favor. Revenue for the online sports betting market is predicted to reach $150 billion, making it likely that even more states will follow suit with regulations of their own.

In the latest version of the Commerce Connected Playbook: Sports And Gaming Edition, PYMNTS will examine how the sports world is changing to accommodate a new generation of digital and mobile fans, including both the in-person and online sports experience.

Putting Connected Tech in the End Zone

This year’s Super Bowl drew approximately 1 million fans to Atlanta.

Visiting fans spent 42 percent more than city residents, and enthusiasm was matched by sports fans in general. Fans altogether spent about $14.8 billion on sports and gaming related purchases this year, with the average viewer spending about $81.30 individually.

Stadiums and sports teams are looking for more opportunities to connect with at-home and online viewers as they come to represent another segment of attendees to cater to. These teams are looking to mobile apps to innovate payments in a way that will revitalize purchases and the game experience for both online and in-person attendees.

In this edition’s Deep Dive, find out more about how stadiums and other sports venues are applying connected technology to modernize the sports game for the modern, mobile customer.

About the Playbook

The PYMNTS Commerce Connected series, in partnership with First Data, now Fiserv, is designed to give readers an overview of the latest developments, data and trends from around the connected commerce space. The Playbook will follow along as new tools debut to connect retailers with consumers, gauge how they drive in-store and online conversions, cover the major news and trends from connected commerce players, and present new data on shifting consumer behaviors and preferences. Each edition will also include a data-driven deep dive into various retail segments and industries.