SKIDATA highlights potential of electronic ticketing for clubs and venues

Austrian-based SKIDATA’s has highlighted how its eTicketing solution offers clubs and venues the opportunity to reduce costs and increase revenue from games and events they host.

With sports fans having long progressed from queuing at the ticket office and, as in almost all areas of life, becoming accustomed to the convenience and speed of fully digital processes - shopping and  purchasing with their smartphone - SKIDATA ask “why should it be any different when visiting a stadium?”, pointing out that “fans appreciate the fast and efficient access to stadiums, where they simply pull out their smartphone at the entrance for admission without rummaging around for a paper ticket.”

SKIDATA highlights that its eTicketing solution offers fans convenience when purchasing tickets and entering the stadium while, for stadium operators, the benefits are even greater: eTicketing saves time and staff - and, of course, operating costs at every game.

Massive cost advantages immediately with eTicketing
SKIDATA explains that its “ticketing solution integrates QR codes and NFC (near-field communication) tickets directly into the Apple and Google wallets that many stadium visitors have on their smartphones anyway (with) no additional app necessary.

“For visitors, (this is) an extra convenience (while) for stadium operators, it’s an immediately significant cost advantage, and one that can be measured as well (as) it eliminates expenses incurred while printing, mailing, and handling paper tickets.

“The cost advantage of digital processing runs up to 90% when compared to paper ticket handling - a difference that can be observed as soon as eTickets are introduced, and the return on investment is clear within the first season of changeover from mailing tickets to digitally dispatching tickets.

“eTicketing also offers additional flexibility for the clubs because eTickets are interactive tickets. This means that they can be updated or upgraded, unlike a printed QR code on a paper ticket or PDF printout.”

With SKIDATA’s eTicketing solution also working independently of the company’s access solutions - easily be used in conjunction with any ticketing partner - the company explain “the full potential of eTicketing is realised when it is combined with SKIDATA’s modern access solutions (as) this drives further cost and service advantages, which in turn lead to higher revenue for stadium operators.

In combination with NFC solutions at the turnstiles in stadiums, eTickets offer significantly increased security for coming seasons as NFC offers anti-piracy protection that prevents tickets from being passed on or distributed without permission.

Smartphone-based eTickets can be personalised, allowing for unique identification of each ticket holder if necessary. Personalised eTickets for season ticket holders also reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by printing, providing an environmental benefit alongside the cost benefit for the stadium operator.

SKIDATA go on to explain “the benefits of eTickets extend beyond increased security at entrances - they also reduce the cost of ticket checks. The digitalised process requires less staff as visitors can scan their eTickets for themselves.

“While the costs are reduced using eTicketing solutions, the visitor-facing touch points are even growing. Clubs can keep their members and guests up to date with push notifications, or share relevant information, including traffic updates around the stadium. This helps foster a bond with fans. The direct line to visitors and guests can also be used for advertising, offering new sources of revenue for stadium operators.”

Green pass check at the entrance
Facing up to the challenges of COVID, SKIDATA also offers stadium operators a green pass solution that can be easily integrated into a SKIDATA access system - requiring no additional staff at the entrance or any additional apps - to ensures the protection of both the venue and patrons.

Click here to contact SKIDATA Australia via their listing in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Supplier Directory.

Images: SKIDATA eTickets in use at Allianz Arena in the German city of Munich (top) and with the Appl Wallet (below). Credit: SKIDATA.