A general view during Super Bowl LIII Opening Night at State Farm Arena on Jan. 28, 2019. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, Visa extended its partnership with the NFL to continue to serve as the league’s official payment services technology partner through the 2025 season. During the announcement, Visa revealed its visions for a cashless Super Bowl in the future.
Visa and the NFL’s partnership dates back to 1995. As the company plans a cashless future title game, half of the concession stands at Sunday’s Patriots-Rams Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta will not accept cash, according to the Associated Press.
“Part of what we talk a lot about with the NFL is getting a path to cashless events, and the epicenter is the Super Bowl,” said Chris Curtin, Visa’s chief brand and innovation marketing officer, according to the AP. “We are working on an architecture that will get us there, it’s something we are really keen on. “We want an experience that from head to toe will be a cashless experience. The NFL has agreed to partner with us in making that a reality.”
As part of Visa’s new deal, Eli Manning and Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and Leonard Williams of the New York Jets will be on-hand at this year’s game to help process some shoppers’ orders. Visa and the NFL will also work together to bring cashless experiences to league events other than the Super Bowl, such as the NFL Draft, the Pro Bowl, and international games in Mexico City and London, according to the AP.
“Visa has been a trusted partner of the NFL since 1995 and we are excited to continue our work with them, especially in the area of implementing cashless capabilities at NFL events which will provide our fans faster, safer and more convenient digital payment options,” said Renie Anderson, the NFL’s senior vice president of partnerships, sponsorship and consumer products.
SportTechie Takeaway
While Visa does not provide an exact timetable for the first cashless Super Bowl, its current deal with the NFL runs through 2025, so perhaps the two sides have motivation to move cashless before that expires. Tropicana Field, home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, recently became the first cash-free sports venue in North America. Although while only electronic forms are payment are accepted at Tropicana Field, fans inside the stadium are still able to exchange cash for gift cards to use at all retail locations inside the ballpark.
