TOKYO: Japan’s largest e-commerce firm Rakuten Group has announced that it will be introducing the ‘smart stadiums’ concept involving completely cashless payments starting from the first home games of the 2019 season of its two owned teams, Tohoku Golden Eagles in Baseball and Vissel Kobe in football’s J-League. Kobe is where former Barcelona and Spanish superstar Andres Iniesta plays at present.
Under the initiative, payment for tickets, food and drink, merchandise and other products available at the stadiums will, as a general rule, all be made through the Rakuten Pay smartphone payment app, Rakuten Edy e-money, Rakuten Point Card, Rakuten Card and other Mastercard, American Express, Visa and JCB-branded credit cards, as well as Rakuten Bank Debit Card (JCB/Visa) and other branded debit cards, instead of cash.
The smart stadium concept will also leverage the Rakuten Ecosystem in order to create an even more convenient and stress-free sports viewing experience, offering advanced services through mobile technology, utilising match and video content and providing a new way to enjoy watching sports.
Rakuten’s sports sponsorship gambit has a wide reach, from the NBA in the USA to FC Barcelona in the La Liga. It recently gained further popularity for extending its association with the NBA by individually sponsoring Golden State Warriors legend and captain Steph Curry.
