PURCHASE, N.Y. — MasterCard International announced in a news release that the Washington Redskins Football Club will accept MasterCard PayPass, a new contactless payment option using radio frequency technology, at in-stadium merchants. FedExField, home of the Washington Redskins, will accept PayPass-enabled MasterCard cards at the point-of-sale, beginning with the home opener of the 2005 football season.
With MasterCard PayPass, Redskins fans won't miss any of the action standing in lines or fumbling for cash. Cardholders simply tap their PayPass-enabled card on specially equipped merchant terminals throughout the stadiums when purchasing concessions.
"The Washington Redskins are thrilled to offer fans an easy-to-use and convenient contactless payment solution, in addition to providing rewards," said Mike Stevens, senior vice president, Washington Redskins. "Fans benefit from an enhanced in-stadium experience through quicker transactions at on-site merchants and the ability to get back to their seats in a timely fashion."
"The benefits of MasterCard PayPass extend far beyond a simpler way to pay," said Fred P. Gore, senior vice president, North America Acceptance, MasterCard International. "PayPass provides football fans with a way to quickly pay for concessions so they can get back to enjoying the action of the game."
MasterCard PayPass cardholders simply tap their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card on a specially-equipped terminal that utilizes a radio frequencychip to complete the transaction. Payment is completed quickly, securely and easily, without the hassle of swiping a card, fumbling for cash and coins or signing a receipt. Moments after the cardholder taps their PayPass-enabled MasterCard card, account details are communicated to the terminal and then processed through the MasterCard secure network for clearing and settlement.
MasterCard PayPass acceptance is ideal for sports venues and other cash-dominant environments, such as convenience stores, quick serve restaurants, drug stores, and movie theaters, where speed and ease of use are essential. PayPass-enabled cards, like other traditional MasterCard cards, also include magnetic stripe technology, so cardholders can use the cards anywhere MasterCard is accepted around the world.
Earlier this year, the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens launched similar implementations of MasterCard PayPass acceptance at their stadiums, and the Philadelphia Eagles incorporated PayPass at its stadium in 2004. MasterCard is continuing to explore further deployments of PayPass at sports arenas throughout 2005, providing sports teams and merchants with the opportunity to offer new payment and reward applications and increase customer loyalty.
