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Offering contactless payment and digital ID verification through a convenient item that goes wherever the user goes, wearable tech is dramatically speeding up entry and transaction times, via encrypted and secured tokenisation.


Eliminating the need to carry cash or reach for bank cards or mobile phones, fans can also use their wearable item to make instant contactless payments, vastly reducing queuing times inside the venue. Moreover, wearable items are far less likely to be lost or misplaced in comparison to credit cards or mobile devices, which can easily slip out of pockets or bags.


FSM


The Real Betis fob has gained significant traction in the first wave release, and from August 2022 will be offered as an additional add-on to season ticket holders when renewing their subscription for the 2022-23 season. Looking ahead, plans are already in place to evolve the use of this world-first wearable technology, by enabling supporters to use their fob at away matches, whilst allowing visiting fans to access the stadium in the same way, as if they had a season ticket for a visiting team.


This technology solves a specific pain point for fans who


either carry their traditional physical season tickets or use a cumbersome mobile phone scanning solution which slowed access at the turnstiles, especially for families and larger groups. The fob allows fans to leave their wallets and cash at home and tap safely and quickly into the stadium. If lost, the fob can easily and swiftly be disabled, and a new one purchased.


Superior Experiences And Deeper Connections


Not only is wearable tech helping forward-thinking venues such as the Estadio Benita Villamarín achieve remarkable uplifts in attendance, venue access and transactions speeds, thanks to real-time tracking data, clubs can access an overview of user activity, generating powerful marketing insights too.


Unlocking Unprecedented Growth Opportunities


that also doubles a contactless payment device, both inside or outside the venue.


As part of a series of digital projects in partnership with LaLiga, the Spanish football league, Real Betis has adopted wearable tech to enable paperless ticket entry, allowing season ticket holders to access the stadium by simply scanning a branded key fob4


Forming part of the club’s digital transformation, Real Betis has enjoyed a 50% rise in average stadium attendance, which currently sits at 48,000 – the fourth-highest in Spain. This is a prime example of how wearable tech is creating infinite opportunities for the future of stadium access, payment options, and drawing fans closer while also boosting revenues.


Unlike active wearable tech such as smartwatches with limited battery lives, tokenised wearable tech allows virtually any form factor – like a ring, key tag, or even a bracelet charm – to be inserted with a chip and turned into a contactless payment or digital ID token.


What’s more, wearable items can be branded with club crests and visual identities, creating a memorable impression and a talking point for fans.


This is a huge bonus afforded by the tech is that wearable items can be provisioned over-the-air with special promotional offers that can be used in real time. For instance, a fan watching a live game at a venue can be instantly alerted through their device of any rewards that can be redeemed while they’re at the game – and even vote for man-of-the-match through their device while the game is on. Wearable tech also allows clubs and item issuers to fulfil environmental efforts by negating the need for plastic cards or paper tickets, with all data sent digitally to the user’s item.


Delivering Huge Business Benefits


Driven by the rapidly growing Internet of Things, the wearable payment devices market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 29% between 2022-2032, with an estimated market valuation of US$13.43 billion in 2022 alone5


. Yet, largely due to misconceptions


of high costs and complexities, many sport institutions have, until now, refrained from offering wearable tech.


Previously, chip-enabled items, such as a plastic card or other form factors requiring personalisation or provisioning with user data, would undergo the costly, time-consuming process of being personalised by the manufacturer before being delivered to the business or club and finally being sent onto the user.


However, new innovations in wearable technologies means providers can handle the personalisation of the NFC chip in the wearable item from end to end, without the manufacturer or sports club having to lift a finger. This not only saves time and money for the brand, but gets items into the hands of fans much faster.


For sports venues looking to streamline costs and incentivise more fan interactions and transactions, the emergence of cutting-edge wearables deliver huge business benefits.


The opportunities created by wearable tech to forge even deeper, real-time interactive bonds between fans and their clubs will transform live game attendance, and ultimately, help boost performance both on and off the pitch.


1: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61630201 2: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61630201


3: https://store.businessinsider.com/products/the-internet-of-things-report 4: https://muchbetter.com/real-betis-fob/


5: https://www.factmr.com/report/wearable-payment-devices-market FSM 11


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