The Aviva Stadium, home of Irish rugby and football, has moved to a cashless model for all events held at the venue. This means customers can only pay using card or mobile payments – cash is no longer accepted. The stadium made the switch in early 2022, making it one of the first major sports grounds in Ireland to go completely cashless.
Why did Aviva Stadium go cashless?
There were several reasons behind the Aviva Stadium’s decision to go cashless:
- To speed up transactions and reduce queuing times for drinks, food, and merchandise.
- To improve hygiene by reducing hand-to-hand contact during money exchanges.
- To enhance security by limiting the amount of cash held on-site.
- To bring the stadium in line with modern payment trends – cash usage has been declining for years.
By no longer accepting cash, stadium management hopes to deliver a smoother and more enjoyable experience for fans on match days. Long queues at concessions and a build-up of cash on-site have been problematic issues in the past.
What payment methods can be used?
Customers at the Aviva Stadium can pay using the following cashless payment methods:
- Credit card – Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Debit card – Laser, Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit
- Mobile wallet – Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Smartwatch payments – Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay
- Stadium card – Top up a prepaid card to use throughout the stadium
Contactless payments are encouraged wherever possible, as these are the quickest. There are card terminals located at all concession stands, bars, merchandise stores, and entry gates around the stadium.
Where can I top up a stadium card?
Pre-paid stadium cards can be an easy way to pay at the Aviva if you don’t want to bring your bank cards or phone. The Aviva Stadium Prepaid Mastercard can be topped up online via the Aviva Stadium website and app before attending an event.
Once at the stadium, top up stations are located around the concourses allowing fans to add funds to their stadium card. Top ups can be made using any of the payment types accepted at the venue – cash is not required to add money to a stadium card.
Can I still bring cash to the stadium?
While cash is no longer accepted for any payments inside the stadium, there is no restriction on bringing cash to the venue. However, fans should be aware they will need to use a card or mobile wallet for all transactions within the ground.
An exception is made for using cash to top up a stadium card at dedicated top-up stations. But for direct purchases, cash cannot be used and stadium staff will not be able to provide change.
Is every stand and concession cashless?
Yes, the cashless policy applies across the entire stadium. All stands, entry gates, bars, food/drink locations, and merchandise shops are completely cashless zones. Fans in corporate boxes and suites will also need to pay using card or mobile wallet.
Can I still tip staff with cash?
Tipping bar, food, and hospitality staff with cash is no longer possible at the Aviva Stadium. Any tips must be paid electronically, either by card or by adding a tip when prompted by the payment terminal.
Are other sports stadiums going cashless?
The Aviva Stadium is one of the first major sporting venues in Ireland to implement a full cashless model, but it reflects a wider shift. Other stadiums that have gone completely cashless include the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Some advantages enjoyed by these cashless stadiums include:
Stadium | Advantages of going cashless |
---|---|
Mercedes-Benz Stadium | – Fan spending increased by 18% – Queuing times reduced by 50% |
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | – 10% reduction in transaction times – Improved hygiene and sanitation |
Smoothie King Center | – 25% spending increase on concessions – Enhanced security procedures |
Based on these examples, the Aviva Stadium expects to see faster service, shorter queues, higher revenue, and improved safety from switching to cashless. It likely won’t be long before more stadiums in Ireland follow suit.
Will other venues in Ireland go cashless?
Due to the clear benefits for both businesses and customers, it is very likely that more and more venues across Ireland will transition to cashless operations over the coming years. The Aviva Stadium may well spark a wave of other entertainment venues going cashless.
Some other examples in Ireland already blazing the cashless trail include:
- 3Arena in Dublin
- Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin
- GAA Museum at Croke Park in Dublin
- SSE Arena in Belfast
- Vicar Street music venue in Dublin
It is convenient, efficient, and hygienic for venues to require digital payment instead of cash. This trend will soon become the norm across Irish retail, hospitality, entertainment, sports, and tourism sectors.
Will public transport go cashless?
Public transport providers across Ireland are also moving towards cashless payments on buses, trams, trains, and taxis. For example:
- Dublin Bus – now completely cashless
- Luas trams – cashless since 2021
- Irish Rail – plan to be 90% cashless by 2024
- Bus Éireann – expanding cashless payment options
Just as sports stadiums and entertainment arenas are going cashless to deliver faster, cleaner service, public transport operators recognize the same benefits. Expect public transport throughout Ireland to transition to cashless systems over the next few years.
How can I share feedback on the cashless experience?
The Aviva Stadium management recognizes that going completely cashless is a major transition for fans who prefer using cash. They welcome any feedback, both positive and negative, on how well the cashless experience is working.
You can share feedback via:
- Email – [email protected]
- Online form – www.avivastadium.ie/cashlessfeedback
- Social media – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
- Phone – 01 2382300
Feedback will help the stadium identify any issues with the cashless implementation and make improvements to ensure an excellent experience for fans attending events.
What issues or problems may arise?
When implementing a major operational change like going cashless, there is always potential for some temporary issues in the transition period. Some possible problems the Aviva Stadium will need to monitor include:
- Longer queues initially if fans aren’t used to cashless payments
- Connectivity issues with payment terminals
- Running out of stadium cards due to high demand
- Top-up stations for cards having technical problems
- Staff not fully trained on the new cashless procedures
By collecting feedback and closely tracking the transition, the stadium management aims to minimize disruption and get any emerging issues resolved quickly. Within a few events, any major problems should be ironed out.
Conclusion
The Aviva Stadium’s move to becoming a cashless venue provides faster, safer, and more convenient transactions for fans. It also streamlines operations for the stadium and vendors. This cashless model is quickly becoming the new normal at sports, entertainment, and transportation venues across Ireland.
There may be some initial teething problems but overall the transition should be straightforward. Any fans concerned about the change or who experience difficulties can provide feedback to help fine-tune the cashless systems. With card and mobile payments now dominant in daily life, a cashless Aviva Stadium successfully brings this major sporting venue into the modern digital era.