Mobile tickets are rapidly becoming the future of stadium ticketing. Research by the Market Research Future (MRFR) predicts that mobile ticketing will increase to a market of 7.2 billion USD by 2030, a 17.7% compound annual growth rate from 2020-2030. As the market continues to grow, stadium-owners must ask themselves — are mobile tickets worth the transition?
The answer is a resounding yes, and we’re here to help. Learn about what mobile tickets are, the numerous benefits of the technology, and how to implement mobile ticketing in your stadium.
- What are Mobile Tickets? The Rise of Mobile Ticket Apps
- Benefits of Mobile Ticketing Technology
- How Can Stadiums Implement Mobile Ticketing Technology?
What are Mobile Tickets? The Rise of Mobile Ticket Apps
Mobile tickets refer to virtual tickets — ordered, paid for, distributed, and validated for stadium attendees via online or mobile devices. To handle these ticket services, attendees typically download mobile ticketing apps, specifically designed to handle all mobile ticketing services. From there, guests can present tickets to scan directly through the app or by downloading tickets to a mobile wallet.
Mobile-ticketing apps for stadium attendees are often directly tied to the platform they used to purchase their tickets in the first place. For stadium attendees, these may include Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, or StubHub. From these apps, fans can log-in to their accounts, access tickets, and present them as they choose.
Mobile ticketing is rapidly dominating the stadium industry; in 2021, the NFL mandated digital only tickets in all of their stadiums. As industry-leaders continue to champion the technology, the need to implement for all stadiums will continue to grow.
Benefits of Mobile Ticketing Technology
Mobile ticketing technology offers immense benefits for all parties involved at stadiums — including employees, owners, and attendees alike. Here are just a few of the diverse benefits of mobile ticketing technology for stadiums.
Greater Convenience for Attendees
Physical tickets add several layers of obstruction to stadium entry. Attendees need to print their tickets at home, or alternatively stop & wait at will-call before they enter your venue. Additionally, attendees need to keep tickets on their person until they reach their seats, navigating through busy stadiums without losing a rather flimsy means of entry.
Mobile tickets consolidate this process, entirely streamlining ticket processes for guests. Gaining access to tickets is as simple as downloading an app, with the potential added step of downloading the ticket natively. Meanwhile, attendees will be able to present their ticket wherever necessary throughout the stadium, as long as they have their phone.
Faster Stadium Entry
Thanks to a more consolidated process, mobile tickets also allow for easier stadium entry. Equipping staff with scanners, entrance for each attendees takes a matter of seconds; simply scan, register, and move on. Mobile ticketing technology cuts down on lines and allows fans to get to their seats as soon as possible.
Fewer Necessary Staff
Because they allow for streamlined stadium entry & a minimized need for in-person ticket booths, mobile tickets also lead to fewer staff members necessary for stadiums. Reducing staff can save stadium-owners money that they can then contribute to other smart stadium IoT solutions — further increasing automation and improving the stadium experience for fans.
Automated Sales Tracking & Analytics
Mobile ticket readers are inherently connected to the internet — meaning stadiums can update information about ticket sales and venue attendance in real-time. If a fan buys an online ticket right outside of the stadium, they will immediately be able to enter without obstruction. Stadiums can also plan to start events when attendance hits a certain threshold.
With integrated data, stadiums can also better analyze patterns within attendance. Comparing when fans arrive for different types of events, stadiums can better prepare their staff for various rushes and understand when to market what services within a stadium.
Higher Sustainability
Whether printed at home or given out in-stadium, physical tickets create an immense amount of waste; for the most part, attendees will also throw out their tickets in your stadium, contributing to extra clean-up and garbage bags.
Digital tickets alleviate this waste and increase sustainability within your stadium. While the overall impact of physical tickets may seem minimal, saving hundreds of pieces of waste at every event over the course of a year can have an incredibly high impact. Stadiums can also feature this increased sustainability in marketing, leading to positive press.
How Can Stadiums Implement Mobile Ticketing Technology?
With such immense benefits, stadiums have no reason not to implement mobile ticketing technology. How, then, can stadiums implement the technology? Thankfully, mobile ticketing technology is relatively simple to implement, requiring two pieces of infrastructure — mobile ticket readers and internet connectivity.
Mobile Ticket Readers
Mobile ticket readers refer to the actual, physical devices used to scan and register mobile tickets. Stadiums need to have an appropriate number of mobile ticket readers for the size of their stadium to ensure smooth flow of traffic at entrances.
Stadium staff can read mobile tickets via dedicated mobile ticketing devices, or even through devices such as tablets or smartphones. Whatever the method, mobile ticket readers should swiftly, efficiently check attendees into events.
Reliable Internet for Guests & Employees
From ticket scanning and online ticket sales to accessing tickets via mobile devices, virtually every aspect of mobile ticketing technology requires a stable internet connection.
Although mobile ticketing is supposed to streamline fan experiences, inconsistent internet can make accessing mobile tickets a hassle. Fans may grow frustrated as they struggle to download tickets once they reach stadium gates, missing essential moments of their stadium experience due to frenzied network refreshes. In turn, attendees may leave a negative review for your stadium, and potentially choose not to attend again in the future.
A lack of reliable internet access can also turn employees into a target of frustration for attendees, increasing stress on the job. Fans may turn their ire with struggles to access tickets onto ticket readers; meanwhile, if a mobile ticket reader itself struggles to connect, entire lines in stadiums may get delayed and back up entrance.
Support Mobile Ticketing With Internet Network Design From Hospitality Network
With sizable benefits and low-effort implementation, mobile ticketing is an essential way for stadiums to optimize their operations. To jumpstart the process, stadiums need to ensure their internet can handle the needs of mobile ticketing technology.
Hospitality Network installs powerful WiFi networks in stadiums — capable of supporting IoT technology including mobile ticketing. Request a consultation and start transitioning your venue into a smart stadium today