Will mobile ticketing revolutionise the way fans attend sporting fixtures?
The consistent growth of smartphone usage has seen a shift from traditional ticketing to an electronic ticketing system. Vale Fans will soon see the difference when attending matches, here’s how.
How is the Mobile Ticketing Different?
Mobile ticketing applies the same principle as the one used when you play the Irish National Lottery from your UK mobile. It does away with the traditional paper tickets when booking for seats at the Vale Park.
Many event providers are seeking to improve user experience. This is the main reason for upgrading ticketing system. At the same time, the new mobile ticketing system aims at:
- Boosting security
- Increasing accessibility to services
- Getting rid of ticket touts
Bluetooth Smart and NFC form the support basis for the mobile access control technology. Bluetooth Smart and NFC are designed to facilitate the on-go smart cards through application of contactless technology with Bluetooth connectivity. The NFC tags also provide the hands-free verification for logical and physical access control and inventory tracking. Using this new system, you can securely book any Vale fixtures through your smartphone.
Several established football stadiums have adopted this new mobile ticketing technology. By 2020, it is expected for mobile ticketing to account for close to over 50% of all ticket transactions across different digital platforms.
What Functions Does the Mobile Ticketing Perform?
Apart from accessing Vale Park, there are a host of other functions that ticketing on your smartphone can perform.
The traditional paper ticketing system had one function – get fans in and out of the stadiums. But with the new e-ticketing system, users can take advantage of many other functions while inside Vale Park.
Imagine using your smartphone as a gateway of accessing the stadium car park, order food and drinks directly from your seat and an all security pass inside the stadium? Sounds exciting.
When entering the stadium, you can use your phone to direct you to your seat. The app features an interactive map for proper directions for first-time visitors to Vale Park.
The half time queues are always a nightmare for most fans. But with the new system in play, you can order food and drinks directly to your seat without moving a muscle.
Downed one too many sodas during the game? Having to navigate through endless rows to get to the restroom is always annoying. With this new technology, all you have to do is locate the nearest lavatory or exit point through your phone.
Another gold mine that awaits fans is with the customer loyalty reward system. Vale fans can now be awarded for their loyalty to the team. The more matches you go to watch, the higher your chances of getting rewarded through this system.
The sporting world has come to terms with the fight against hooliganism and racism during matches. In case of unrest from fans, the new system can locate the seating position of the fans and repercussions such as total ban can take place.
Another menace that has faced the traditional paper ticketing system the rise of ticket touts and fake tickets. Fans no longer have to buy tickets at inflated prices outside the stadium with e-ticketing in place.
Are There Flaws with the Mobile Ticketing System?
As expected, the e-ticketing system meets some resistance from users who doubt its capabilities. You are probably wondering, “What if my battery runs out?”, “What if I don’t have a smartphone?” Well, these are areas that must be addressed by the system developers. Measures must be put in place to take care of fans who may be inconvenienced by the change.
Final Takeaway!
As a Vale fan, I live for the day when I will not have to walk from my seat to buy a drink. Or the day that I find my seat within minutes of walking into the stadium, without worrying about someone else taking it. Only time can tell whether the Vale stadium organizers will implement the new system.