MasterCard and Commonwealth Bank Provide Spectators with New Reasons to Cheer at Etihad Stadium

QkR product enables a more engaging fan experience at the stadium by avoiding queues for food and drinks


Melbourne, Australia - - In collaboration with Etihad Stadium and Commonwealth Bank, MasterCard has launched a pilot of QkR, a queue-busting Australian first, set to usher in an all-new type of fan experience for Australian stadium-goers.

The QkR mobile technology is the first of its kind to be offered to fans in Australian sports stadiums, enabling patrons to avoid queues and cash exchanges when buying food and drinks such as pies, chips, soft drink or cold beer. QkR allows fans to concentrate on what’s important – the ‘on-field’ action.

The pilot is being introduced into one section of Etihad Stadium’s membership groups, allowing up to 5000 fans to order food and drinks, simply by downloading an app onto their Apple iPhone or Android smart phone, scanning or typing in the QR code on their seat, and ordering from an on-screen menu. By using the QkR digital wallet technology on their phone, food and beverage orders will then be delivered by Etihad catering staff – all without leaving the comfort of their seat.

Etihad Stadium’s new CEO, Paul Sergeant, says the technology takes stadium comfort to an unprecedented new level, but it was also a response to the growing requirements of patrons.

Mr. Sergeant, who has performed executive roles at Wembley and Millennium Stadia in the UK said the Etihad Stadium patron in Melbourne, was being presented with state-of-the-art facilities and comforts to significantly enhance their match day experience.

“Fans can drive into an underground car park on a wet day, take a lift to their seat, watch the game under the comforts of a roof oblivious to the weather, and now order and purchase food and beverage without leaving their seats,” Mr. Sergeant says.

MasterCard Australia’s Head of Market Development and Innovation, Matt Barr, has declared the QkR innovation a big win for patrons in the stands.

“QkR is one of the latest innovations in mobile payments technology,” says Barr. “Eradicating wait times in stadium queues is on every stadium-goer’s wish list – and MasterCard and QkR are making this a reality. The technology enhances real-world customer purchasing experiences, and supporting MasterCard’s vision of a world beyond cash.”

QkR will be piloted at Etihad Stadium with Axcess One Premium members. This is the first opportunity globally to use the time-saving mobile purchasing experience in a stadium environment.

According to Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, Executive General Manager Corporate Banking Solutions, Commonwealth Bank, the introduction of QkR to Etihad further demonstrates how the Bank is continuing to push the boundaries of innovation in financial services.

“This is another step forward in the way we are helping to provide Australians and Australian businesses with the very best in convenient payment solutions,” says Ms. Bayer Rosmarin.

She adds, “Our focus on technology and innovation has firmly positioned us as industry leaders. We will be continuing to explore new developments, including working closely with our partners and business clients, so we can continue to move the banking and payments market forward in Australia and support the evolving needs of our customers.”

QkR is one of a series of mobile innovations, developed by MasterCard Labs, the global research and development division of MasterCard Worldwide. The pilot follows a successful world first pilot launch of QkR in Australia with Hoyts Entertainment. In additional support of innovation in payments, MasterCard recently announced that PayPass Wallet Services, a new global offering that will allow customers to make purchases online or in stores at the tap of a smart phone, is set to be launched in Australia next year.

---

How it works

For the Etihad Stadium pilot, transactions are initiated when the consumer uses QkR by MasterCard to either scan the QR code on the seat table or entering a special QkR label. The food and beverage menu will launch and menu items can be purchased using the digital wallet the cardholder pre-registers with their debit or credit card details the first time they use QkR. Once the purchase is confirmed, the order and the seat location are sent to Etihad Stadium Catering staff and the order is then delivered to the stadium-goers seat without ever having to go near a checkout line.

Making a purchase using QkR comes with the same high level of security as payments via all other MasterCard platforms. No cardholder data is stored on the phone, and QkR can be configured to request the number at time of purchase.



About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.