When attending a New York Mets game at Citi Field in Queens, New York, fans may be wondering what forms of payment are accepted at the stadium concessions, stores and ticket windows. With the prevalence of cashless and contactless payments in recent years, Major League Baseball stadiums like Citi Field have started to shift away from being cash only venues.
Quick Overview
The quick answer is that Citi Field and the New York Mets no longer operate on a cash only basis. Fans now have multiple payment options when visiting Citi Field, including:
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Gift cards
So while cash is still widely accepted, Citi Field has moved to accept various forms of electronic and digital payments as well. This gives fans more flexibility and options when paying for food, drinks, merchandise and tickets at the stadium.
Payment Options at Citi Field
Here is a more detailed overview of the different payment options available across Citi Field:
Concessions and Restaurants
Cash, credit cards, debit cards, mobile pay and gift cards are accepted at all main concession stands and restaurants at Citi Field. This includes spots like Shake Shack, Blue Smoke BBQ and Pat LaFrieda’s Filet Mignon Steak Sandwich.
There are over 20 different concessions for food and drinks around the stadium, and all provide electronic payment abilities. Some stands like Keith’s Grill even offer Citi Field-specific gift cards for fans.
Team Stores
The main team store behind home plate, along with other merchandise shops around the stadium, accept cash, credit/debit cards and mobile pay. Fans can use any payment type to shop for official Mets caps, jerseys, apparel and more.
Tickets and Parking
The Mets ticket windows and parking booths accept cash for direct purchases on game day. However, if you purchase advance tickets or parking ahead of time online, a credit card will be required.
The team encourages using mobile tickets on your smartphone when possible to provide a contactless entry experience.
Summary of Payment Methods
Location | Cash | Credit Card | Debit Card | Mobile Pay | Gift Card |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Concessions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Team Stores | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Tickets/Parking | Yes | Advanced Only | Advanced Only | No | No |
This summarizes the wide range of payment options now available across Citi Field. Cash is still accepted in all areas, but electronic payments provide faster transactions and less handling of bills and coins.
When Did Citi Field Transition Away From Cash Only?
Citi Field maintained a cash only policy for concessions and other areas for the first few years after opening in 2009. At the time, cash was still the predominant payment method for sporting events and other entertainment gatherings.
The Mets organization decided to move away from being cash only starting in the 2015 season. This followed industry trends of major sports teams expanding payment options as digital wallets and mobile transactions gained popularity.
By 2017, cashless payments accounted for over 50% of all concessions revenue at Citi Field based on official figures. The demand from fans for credit/debit and contactless payments was clear, leading to the comprehensive integrated system in place today.
Driving Factors for Going Cashless
There were a few key factors that motivated the Mets to transition Citi Field into accepting electronic payments in recent years:
- Customer convenience – Fans strongly preferred the speed of tap credit cards or mobile pay.
- Reduced lines – Cashless sales could be processed significantly faster.
- Operational efficiency – Less cash handling improved back-end management.
- Sales data – Electronic payments provided more accurate sales tracking.
- Industry shift – Most MLB teams were moving away from cash only by 2015.
The combination of fan demand, operational benefits and overall industry trends made the transition inevitable to maintain a positive and convenient experience at Citi Field.
Benefits of Accepting Multiple Payments
Here are some of the key benefits seen at Citi Field since implementing cashless and contactless payment abilities across the stadium:
Faster Transactions
Digital payment types greatly speed up transactions compared to cash. Tapping a credit card or scanning a mobile wallet takes a few seconds versus counting bills and obtaining change. Faster purchases mean shorter concession lines.
Enhanced Data
Electronic payments provide much more actionable sales data through exact dollar amounts and purchase tracking. This helps the Mets enhance planning for inventory, staffing and future concessions offerings.
Increased Spending
Several studies have shown that credit/debit card users tend to spend 15-25% more compared to cash buyers. Removing cash barriers subtly encourages fans to buy more items and upgrades.
Improved Experience
With cashless ease and shorter lines, fans can maximize time in seats enjoying the game. Citi Field’s commitment to payment options satisfies more customers.
The combination of operational and customer experience benefits have made the transition away from cash only well worth it from the team’s perspective.
Remaining Cash Only Aspects
While most areas of Citi Field now accept various payment types, there are still certain cash only components to be aware of:
Street Vendors
Independent street vendors selling merchandise or food around the outside of Citi Field often still operate on a cash only basis. Fans should be prepared with bills when purchasing from these sellers.
Select Concession Stands
A handful of more independent concession stands, particularly temporary pop-up ones, only accept cash. Signage will indicate cash only, but fans should otherwise assume stands take credit/debit.
Tipping Staff
Those who wish to tip staff like servers, bartenders or delivery people will need to do so with cash tips. Mobile transactions and receipts do not accommodate digital tipping.
Outside of those niche areas, Citi Field’s evolution to numerous payment options has made being cash only mostly a thing of the past.
Future Payment Trends
Looking ahead, there are several emerging payment technologies and experiences that could further enhance Citi Field for both fans and the Mets organization:
Biometrics
Integrating biometric identity verification like fingerprints or facial recognition into payment transactions would provide a seamless experience. This both heightens security and removes steps from traditional checkout processes.
Embedded/Wearable Tech
Methods like microchip implants or payment smart watch functions would enable virtually instant transactions. Baseball stadiums could even someday link digital ID tokens to seat locations.
Cryptocurrency
Accepting cryptocurrency like Bitcoin would align with new digital payment habits, especially among younger demographics. However, price volatility introduces challenges.
5G Networks
Upgraded wireless infrastructure will power more advanced capabilities. New 5G wi-fi at Citi Field could connect fans to personalized offers and enable ticketless entry based on proximity.
As payment technology continues evolving, the Mets will aim to provide fans the most seamless and convenient experience when visiting Citi Field.
Conclusion
In summary, while Citi Field operated as cash only in its first few years after opening, the stadium has since shifted to accept credit/debit cards, mobile payments and gift cards. This transition aligned with customer demand, benefitted back-end operations and mirrored industry trends in stadiums moving away from cash only policies. Fans now enjoy multiple payment options across concessions, stores and some ticketing that improve convenience and speed. Certain niche areas do still require cash, but electronic payments now dominate most transactions at New York Mets games.