In an attempt to encourage people to use MasterCard through Apple Pay, the card brand will have people at the 2015 MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati, giving prizes to "the vast majority" of consumers who use Apple Pay with a MasterCard card.
Stadiums are commonly used as proving grounds for mobile payment systems because they are an enclosed environment with known vendors and consumers. MasterCard's earlier projects include deploying its
MasterCard was vague on the details, but said that an unspecified number of gifts"from All-Star branded premiums, autographed memorabilia to prepaid cards"would be handed to eligible consumers shortly after they used Apple Pay to buy food or merchandise at the Great American Ball Park from July 12 through July 14, according to a July 10 press release. It will also be offered for purchases made at the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest taking place July 10th through July 14th. The card brand didn't disclose the value of the gifts.
The stadium will be populated with an unspecified number of "brand ambassadors" (employees of either MasterCard or a partner) who will approach eligible customers after they make the purchases, said MasterCard spokesperson Sarah Ely. The card brand did not specify how it would locate these customers within the stadium.
"Nobody wants to be caught in line at concession only to hear the crowd go wild over a play theyve missed," said a statement attributed to Cheryl Guerin, Group Executive, Global Products & Solutions, MasterCard. "The ballpark experience is an ideal environment for quick and secure payment options so fans can get through concessions and back to the game quickly."
