Barclaycard Teams Up With Southampton FC To Offer Premier League’s First Contactless Payments

Fresh from its recent release on London’s Underground network, contactless payment technology has now launched in the Premier League following a new deal between Barclaycard and Southampton FC.

From today, Saints supporters will be able to use Barclaycard’s specially-designed bPay wristbands, trialled at several music festivals earlier this year, to pay for purchases up to £20 whilst in and around the club’s St. Mary’s stadium.

Barclaycard says the bands, available now to order free of charge in the club’s red-and-white colours, will help the club develop an “all-in-one” match day experience and change the way it engages with fans.

This includes the ability to pre-pay for food and drinks, allowing fans to jump queues, with users who sign up also eligible for exclusive loyalty offers, prize draws and “special experiences”.

League first

“Southampton Football club is very excited to be the first football club to partner with Barclaycard’s bPay band,” said Jochen Hartmann, Southampton’s director of commercial operations.

“This partnership hopefully clearly demonstrates our commitment both to driving innovation through every part of our football club, but also to providing the best experience for our fans, on match days and beyond.”

Southampton becomes the first Premier League club to introduce the bPay bands, which were launched by Barclaycard earlier this year as an expansion of its contactless payment options.

The bands are linked to a digital wallet that can be automatically topped up via a linked Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card and is worn on the wrist, meaning there is no need to carry a card or wallet.

“Barclaycard is at the forefront of contactless technology across the UK and our partnership with Southampton Football Club is an important next step in evolving our bPay technology into an integrated wearable proposition that does more than simply make payments effortless,” said Mike Saunders, managing director for digital consumer payments at Barclaycard.

“We are really excited to be working with Southampton FC as they have shown a clear vision for incorporating technology across the fan experience and a passion for growing their understanding of what’s important for Saints supporters.”

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